Twee Indiase slangenbezweerders c. 1895 - 1915

This photograph by Theodor Paar, entitled 'Two Indian Snake Charmers' appears to have been made in Darjeeling, India at an unknown date. The photograph gives us a glimpse into the exoticization of Indian culture through the colonial gaze. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, photography studios emerged in India, often catering to British colonizers and tourists eager to capture and exoticize local customs and people. Snake charming, an ancient practice deeply rooted in Indian culture and spirituality, became a popular subject, reduced to a mere spectacle for Western consumption. Note the contrast in attire between the snake charmers, one barefoot and the other dressed in western clothing, a hint at the complex social dynamics and the disruptive impact of British rule on local traditions. By studying photographs like these and delving into archival sources, travelogues, and colonial records, we gain a deeper understanding of the social, cultural, and institutional contexts in which these images were created, and the complex power dynamics at play.