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Art transforms norms, using brothel soil for Goddess Durga idols, sparking dialogue, symbolizing creativity's transformative power.
Art transforms norms, using brothel soil for Goddess Durga idols, sparking dialogue, and symbolizing creativity’s transformative power.
An unusual technique has developed at the centre of artistic traditions, where devotion and creativity coexist, giving the holy art of idol sculpture a distinctive new dimension.
Surprisingly, soil from brothels is being used to create Goddess Durga idols, representing the metamorphosis of impurity into divinity.
The soil is taken from the grounds of brothels, which are frequently seen as social taboos, and was selected for its symbolic meaning. The use of this non-traditional source material was motivated by the conviction that it embodies societal issues and the victory of purity over impurity.
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This unconventional practice is becoming accepted by skilled artisans, who are usually engaged in the traditional craft of idol-making. They feel they are adding to the story of spiritual cleansing and redemption by using soil from such locations.
The idea is similar to how the goddess Durga appears in Hindu mythology as the heavenly warrior who vanquishes the forces of evil.
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The purposeful attempt to give the idols a deep meaning is demonstrated by the use of soil from brothels, which goes beyond a simple convenience decision. The procedure represents the notion that purity can arise even from the most improbable and impure sources.
Since redemption and rebirth are major themes in many religious and cultural traditions, this transforming symbolism is in line with their ethos.
The communities engaged have been impacted by this creative strategy. It dispels social stigmas attached to particular occupations and fosters an atmosphere of acceptance and tolerance.
The holy practice of creating idols with soil from brothels promotes togetherness and dismantles any boundaries that may have arisen between various societal groups.
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Still, there are some who criticize the practice. Many contend that utilizing soil from brothels could unintentionally reinforce the negative connotation attached to those facilities.
Others wonder if it’s appropriate to use content from these locations in religious rituals. It starts a wider discussion about the relationship between tradition, art, and social consciousness.
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The use of soil from brothels in crafting Goddess Durga’s idols is a bold and innovative initiative that challenges societal norms, fosters community dialogue, and symbolizes the transformative power of creativity.
This unconventional approach not only breaks stigmas but also emphasizes the potential for positive change and redemption in even the most unexpected places.
As the artistic community continues to push boundaries, this initiative stands as a testament to the profound impact art can have on reshaping perceptions and inspiring societal progress.
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Image source: CanvaPro
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UP Boards Topper Prachi Nigam was trolled on social media for her facial hair; our obsession with appearance is harsh on young minds.
Prachi Nigam’s photo has been doing the rounds on social media for the right reasons. Well, scratch that- I wish the above statement were true. This 15-year-old girl should ideally be revelling in her spectacular achievement of scoring a whopping 98.05% and topping her tenth-grade boards. But oddly enough, along with her marks, it’s something else that garners more attention – her facial hair.
While the trolls are driving themselves giddy by mocking this girl who hasn’t even completed her school yet, the ones who are taking her side are going one step ahead – they are sharing her photoshopped pictures, sans the facial hair, looking nothing less than a celebrity with captions saying – “Prachi Nigam, ten years later”.
Doctors have already diagnosed her with PCOD in their comments, based on photographic evidence. While we have names for people shamed for their weight – body shaming, for their skin colour- racism, for their age- age shaming, for being a female- sexism, this category of shaming where one faces criticism for their appearance has no name. With that, it also has zero shame attached to it.
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