Ellora, Interior of the Indur Subha with Figure of Indrani c. 1869

Curator: This photograph by Colin Murray captures the interior of the Indur Subha in Ellora, featuring the figure of Indrani. Editor: It feels profoundly still and monumental, despite its modest size of about 22 by 29 centimeters. Curator: Murray's lens has preserved the dense symbolism embedded within the carvings, echoing the cultural memory and continuity of ancient Indic beliefs. Indrani, queen of the gods, is powerfully present. Editor: The image underscores the dynamic between religious identity and colonial documentation. How did these images impact the understanding, and perhaps appropriation, of Indian culture? Curator: It also speaks to the visual potency of photographic records in preserving cultural heritage, imbuing it with a sense of both permanence and fragility. Editor: Seeing this photograph forces me to consider the legacy of representation and power, and how we engage with these images today.