Installation view of Items at the exhibition ‘Catalyst’, Jimei x Arles International Photo Festival, Xiamen, 2020
Mera Naam Chin Chin Chu (My Name is Chin Chin Chu), 1958, Photographed with Pratima Sonni, 36, Physiotherapist & Fitness Trainer, Mumbai, 2013, Film
Tora Man Bada Papi (You Big-hearted Sinner), 1961,
Photographed with Kajol Menon, 53, Social Worker & Mandovi Menon, 23, Music Journalist, Mumbai, 2013, Film
Ms. Pamela (Miss Pamela), 1989, Photographed with Meghana Rao, 32, Social worker, Mumbai, 2013, Film
O Haseena Zulfon Wali (Oh Beauty with Tresses), 1966, Photographed with Abhina Aher, 35, Transgender activist & Urmi Jadhav, 28, Dancer, Mumbai, 2013, Film
Sheila ki Jawani (Youthful Sheila), 2010, Photographed with Margaret Da Costa, Professor, Mumbai, 2013, Film
Items 2013 Film Photographs, Archival images (digital reprint), text
An item number is a music and dance spectacle prominent in commercial Indian cinema. It is unconnected to the filmic narrative and introduces a sexually charged female dancer, an item girl, often portrayed in contrast to the virginal female protagonist. The work Items challenges this idea through a series of portraits of women who wear the item girl costumes but in a defiant way, challenging the viewer to see them as empowered, three dimensional characters. Items offers an inclusive idea of femininity and sexuality while questioning popular patriarchal constructs. Originally exhibited as a multi-media installation, Items is a combination of photographic prints, archival images (as digital prints), and text.