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Tamasha artists and grim reality
By Anjali Malhotra

Life is a regular `tamasha' for them, where the facade of glamour veils the reality of life. Capturing the life of the well-known `Tamasha' artists of Maharashtra in ``black and white'' is ``Dancing Maidens: The Saga of Tamasha Artists'', a photo exhibition currently on at the Indira Gandhi National Centre for Arts here.

Being held here for the first time, this exhibition portrays a lot more than just the stage persona of these artists -- more than just their unique dance forms such as `sawal-jawab' and `laavni' performances and their causal, sensual grace which makes them so popular. Instead, it also highlights the harshness that forms a part of their life.

``It is like they are leading a dual life -- one on stage and another off it. Their stage persona is full of glamour and exudes sensuality -- long cascading hair, bright, rich `paithani' saris and colourful flowers. But there is a dark side too,'' says photographer Shirish Shete. As the curtains descend lifting the veil of glamour, the real face of these artists comes into focus. And it is this that Shirish has zoomed into. Their life, reveals the artist, is actually ``black and white''.

``Most of them are forced to sell their bodies as well. And they accept it as a part of their life. And despite this, they are proud, with an indomitable spirit, which challenges the social dictates and continues to fight for dignity,'' says the photographer.

The exhibit includes a picture of a young girl standing in front of a mirror. Entitled ``broken mirror'', the picture displays the dual life of the artist, who posing in all her finery, is actually suffering from AIDS, says the photographer.

It was the recognition and appreciation of this spirit that spurned Shirish to travel along with these artists, in an attempt to document their life. The exhibition is a result of three years of travelling with these Tamasha artists to the interiors of Western Maharashtra -- a journey which helped him express himself creatively, and something he intends to undertake again.

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