Holi of Hope by Arka Dutta
“The ostracism of the Indian widows does leave a considerable scar.”
From the photographer:
Among the many sociological downsides that India suffers from, the ostracism of the Indian widows does leave a considerable scar. These days they are no longer forced to throw themselves on the funeral pyres of their husbands, particularly in Bengal, where widows are ostracized from their home villages and sent away to prevent them inheriting money or property. The poverty and neglect faced by widows in West Bengal is driving them to seek refuge and charity in the ashrams of the holy city of Vrindavan, a journey of over 1,000 miles.
But it is heartening to say that times are changing. Sulabh International, an organization headed by the famous reformist, sociologist Dr. Bindeshwar Pathak, has shown a lot more empathy towards these women. Sulabh International has not only taken steps to ensure that these women get money on a monthly basis but also empowers them with jobs like stitching and knitting. More importantly the organization has struck at the roots of the social order that makes widows shun all festivities by celebrating Holi with them.
Holi — the Hindu spring festival, a festival of colours, revelry and a licence for fun is a much needed act. As the colours of Holi descend and paint the white saarees, it symbolized the fall of that age old superstitious traditions which barred the widows from wearing colors. The widows’ grief is temporarily alleviated by the welcome colors of Holi.
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Arka Dutta is a photographer keen in doing mostly Social Documentary photography. He studied and work as a mechanical engineering and live in Kolkata, India. Dutta loves to experience other cultures, meet different people from diverse communities and work on social issues. Photography helps him portray and address certain social concerns and photography is his way of sharing with the world how he see things.