After rubbing my eyes over 20 portraits having duo of women with exceptional contradiction, made me embark a new picture of the ground upon which we stand. Urban, middle class housewives seated alongside their housemaids on the sofa exquisitely illustrated the contrast among the status of two women residing under the same roof. The photographer, Jannatul Mawa, explores the possibility of creating bonds of intimacy among women who, according to dominant norms, are unequal.
I found fascinating differences inside finite pictures resembling infinite speculations that can be chartered regarding the contradiction in female scenario of two genres.
The position upon how the hands of the housemaids were rested immediately portrayed the emotions they were clung to. The poker faced eyes were staring beyond the camera lens, expecting us to contemplate the hidden misery; the hidden pain.
Although almost all of the housewives had slippers under their feet, keeping them above the ground level, but most of the housemaids were bare footed except a fortunate few. The soles of the naked feet of the maids were pressed hardly against ground.
They were not only pushing the ground but also crossing their fingers, promising each other not to lose themselves against the cold and momentary respect and fake love they were getting as soon as the camera lens pointed upon them.
Their hands were either strongly adhered to their thighs. The hands were clutching the momentum of the scenario, fearing to disappoint their service taker and continue in accordance of how the housewives had oriented them last night. Their intertwined and entangled fingers were desperate to set them free.
Some giggling, some biting their lips. Some staring the end of their kurtha, some lost in void,
Different picture, different people. Same story, same pain.
-Radip Tandukar 5:00 PM Labim Mall
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