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The Creation of a Goddess: A Photographic Narrative

byTanya SaxenaTakes projects across Delhi NCR and pan-IndiaStarts from₹45,000 per piece (5-7 mins)View full gallery

A conceptual journey exploring the intersection of art, identity, and the divine feminine through movement and photography.

The final image of the Goddess, with multiple arms representing her 'Shakti' or power. This photo from 'The Creation of a Goddess' is the culmination of the narrative, showing the complete transformation from humble clay to the divine.

The story begins. This image pays tribute to the artisans of Kumartuli, whose hands transform clay into divinity. The project questions at what point humble material becomes a symbol of the divine feminine.

The first step: clay on a straw frame. This image represents the initial, raw stage of creation, drawing a parallel to the story of Maa Durga's own creation by the Gods to be a figure of strength.

The second step: smoothing the cracks. The goddess idol is constructed to be smooth and perfect, which led me to question if we allow the same space for human women to have their 'cracks' and imperfections.

The third step: the 'Sandhi' or transformation. This is when the spirit enters the idol. The photo series explores this moment and the inclusive tradition of using mud from a prostitute's house, representing everywoman.

The final touch: painting the eyes. This is a crucial moment in the creation of the idol, where the lifeless figure is given sight and soul. It is the final act before she is revealed.

A video compilation of the photo story, showing the entire process from clay to goddess. This project was a deep, experimental collaboration with photographer Sanjit Debroy.

An image from the first stage of creation, representing the raw, unformed potential of both the clay and the feminine spirit.

Another perspective on the initial clay form, with a single light source suggesting the spark of life and idea.

The artist's hand sculpting the clay, a direct visual metaphor for how identity is shaped by external forces.

About The Creation of a Goddess: A Photographic Narrative

This visual narrative was born from a deep curiosity about the artisans of Kumartuli, whose hands shape divine idols from common clay. In this project, I worked with photographer Sanjit Debroy to mirror that transformation, questioning how we define the divine and the human. If you are looking for a collaborator who treats every performance or conceptual piece as a serious inquiry into mythology and social history, let us talk.

Conceptual Bharatanatyam storytelling across India. — Approved by the tribe
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Tanya Saxena

Takes projects across Delhi NCR and pan-IndiaStarts from ₹45,000 per piece (5-7 mins)

I see dance as a Banyan tree where the past, present, and future connect. I am always sketching out new choreography, questioning myths, or obsessing over the perfect classical track for a production. If you want a partner for a project that asks questions rather than just performing steps, I am here.

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