The Creation of a Goddess: A Photographic Narrative
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.
About this collection
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.
The Intersection of Art and Inquiry
At the core of my practice is the belief that dance is a medium for academic and philosophical exploration. The Creation of a Goddess series began with a simple question: at what point does humble mud become a symbol of divinity? By researching the idol-making process in Kumartuli and referencing texts on the feminine Shakti, I aimed to translate these academic inquiries into visual movement.
Why This Matters
This series is not just photography. It is a synthesis of my training in Bharatanatyam and a desire to tell stories that bridge the gap between tradition and contemporary identity. Whether we are discussing a thematic choreography, a site-specific performance, or a multidisciplinary production, I focus on the research, the narrative script, and the visual vocabulary.
Collaborative Approach
My collaborations with musicians, photographers, and theatre directors ensure that the final output is not just a dance piece, but a cohesive artistic statement. I invite you to explore how we can bring your concepts to life, whether for stage performances or unique photo-led narratives. If you have a theme you want to explore through classical dance, I am interested in how we can develop that story together.
Tanya Saxena
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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