Images of India at MPC

Posted at 2:22 PM on July 21, 2010 by Marianne Combs (4 Comments)
Filed under: Culture, Photography

Photo of a Rajasthani folk singer by Robi Chakraborty

One of the simplest and most powerful attributes of photography is its ability to take us to another place. In a new exhibition of work by Robi Chakraborty at the Mpls Photo Center, that place is India.

Photo by Robi Chakraborty

Chakraborty, a native of India, traveled back in 1998 after an absence of 13 years. He timed his visit to coincide with two major festivals: Holi, the festival of colors, and Kumbh Mela, a pilgrimage to the Ganges river for a ritual bathing. Over 10 million people from across the country gathered for Kumbh Mela in 1998, providing Chakraborty an opportunity to document the country's cultural diversity.

Photo by Robi Chakraborty

While India is a place of constant change and bustling business, Chakraborty exhibition "The Stars of India: Its People and Places" focuses on aspects of Indian culture that have endured centuries: timeless villages and ancient rituals. It's both a celebration of the country's rich heritage and a nostalgic look back at the India Chakraborty remembers from his childhood.

Photo by Robi Chakraborty

"Stars of India: Its People and Places" opens at the Mpls Photo Center this Friday night, with a reception featuring Indian food and music, and a henna artist.