This work in progress is my attempt to engage with the life of a transgender artist, Monorama, who lives in Calcuta(India).
During spring, Monorama performs in closed community spaces, often the bastis(slums) and paras(neighbourhoods) of Calcutta and its suburbs. She impersonates the goddess Sitala who is believed to provide protection from small pox (and chicken pox). The selection of photographs are from few such performances - before the actual enactment of the performance, during and after.
This work was commissioned by Pratyay Gender Trust.
About the photographer -
Siddhartha Hajra has been a keen photographer focusing particularly on documentary photography. He has worked on issues of mental illness, sexuality, disability and young women.
He has recently completed his M Phil in Sociology and is now a lecturer in a college in Calcutta teaching Sociology to undergraduate students.
All images are copyrighted.
All rights reserved - Siddhartha Hajra 2011.
Photographer - Siddhartha Hajra
Email - siddhartha.hajra@gmail.com