Eros And Its Discontents

Eros And Its Discontents (2016 - 2026) explores the lives and desires of individuals from the LGBTQIA+ community living in India. This series of performances and posed portraits embody their struggles of identity, gender and sexuality, their hopes and dreams, pleasures and pain, acceptance and rejections. The people in the images are treading a psychological minefield; whose lives are a crisscross of complexities arising out of a religious, conservative and homophobic Indian culture that is quick to marginalize and discriminate.

The lack of a safe space has prompted the photographer to shoot this long-term series within the confines of a 6ʼx 8ʼ corner of his residence. Acting as a 'cultural pollinator' and catalyst, he provides the controlled photographic environment, and tools such as make-up, dresses, sets and props, whereby his subjects are able to explore different themes and motifs from their life's experiences for the camera. They draw you into the beautiful mess of their mental treasure-houses, mixing the quotidian with the numinous to disclose what is hidden, and narrate what is untold. The resultant (often metaphoric) images offer a way of freedom of expression, joy, and fulfillment for this subjugated community in the hopes of empowering them and steering them towards visibility and inclusivity.

The ancient Hindus had no major problem with homosexuality. Some of India's best ancient/ medieval art depicts homo-eroticism; some highly respected figures in Hindu mythology are believed to have indulged in same-sex partnered activities. However, six centuries of Islamic rule, followed by nearly two centuries of British rule, separate modern Hindus from their ancient forefathers. Today's Hindus are characterized by a strong antagonism towards the LGBTQIA+ community. Until recently, Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code- instituted by Victorian Britons, outlawed homosexuality- and hung like Damocles' sword above the head of the Indian LGBTQIA+ community. It's clear that as a queer person, it's hard to complete school, get a college education, or a good job. And worse, many who are openly queer express feelings of guilt caused by embarrassment to parents and siblings. Fearing a social boycott, most of them will suppress the truth and live lives lying to themselves.

Through these portraits, the photographer documents both the opening and closing of these truths, both the nakedness of their skin and the paint and cloth that covers it.