By Jagpreet Luthra
From the famous temple town of Yadgiri Gutta in Telangana to Fatarpa Qital in the vicinity of the Betul beach in South Goa, I photographed ordinary women going about their work and lives most unself-consciously.
I was on the move in these parts of the country over the last six months and these subjects were nowhere remotely on my radar, but they were compelling: The flow of their old forms, their sagging shoulders and biceps supporting huge loads, the precariously balanced bundles of hay, construction material, fuel wood and water drums on their heads, and their side glances and paan-stained smiles when they caught me photographing them.
Photo by Jagpreet Luthra
How much can a woman work? And, for how long?
A 60-year-old woman wearing a makeshift half skirt in a grain shop, a still older beauty escorting her cattle home, a farm labourer with a rolled up saree asking me for "campa" and "coke"....
Hard labour is the other name of life for these women and they equate celebration with femininity. Nothing else matters: age, weight, hairy legs, the sun scorching their skin, cement and concrete dust clouding their faces and lungs, the long roads they walk in rain and sun…The flowers are still important to wear as are riotous colours and cotton sarees that would cost a pile in New Delhi's Cottage Emporium.
Photo by Jagpreet Luthra
These women radiate a rare joy that comes with the acceptance of their roles. Their lives are overburdened, they know it but they seem to have no complaints."Who else would do it if not I?" This was mostly the question that answered mine when I expressed concern and appreciation.
There are millions of such women all over country. They would, perhaps, never find a place in the gender discourse of the political elite. But they sure know how to catch the camera's attention.The scores and scores of pictures I took--almost helplessly--are a testimony to the extraordinary strength and beauty of these ordinary women.
Happy Women's Day!
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Jagpreet Luthra, Freelance Journalist
jagpreetl@gmail.com
Phone No. : xxxxxxxxxxxxx
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