State of the Arts Blog

Images of India at MPC

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.