THIRD PRIZE: Arpan Chowdhury

Breaking of a Shackle

The "Hindu Bidhaba", the widows of India, have been tortured by the entire male dominated domain. They broke the shackles of an age-old tradition of Hindu society that separates some of our women from the rest. Though they were facilitated by an NGO, this positivity, energy, and active participation makes them special. Their right to colors and celebrations was snatched away. Society couldn't let them enjoy their constitutional right. Because society creates a parallel law of its own, the law, created and imposed mainly by the bramhinical sector. Now that we want to say goodbye to any kind of discrimination, these widows emerge as the epitome of revolt. They become the symbol of colourful grace because a living fossil can never be a resting place for a departed soul. These women are the New India, who never stops to celebrate her colorful women, her miracles, her divine divas.

© arpan chowdhury

Submission Statement:

I think these photos can bring a positive change to the mindset of people. My muses are the faces of this change.

Author Background:

I am a self-taught photographer. My field is street and culture and my aim is to become a photojournalist and to work for the backward classes of our society through my photographs.