Rosalind Solomon photograph

One silver gelatin print taken by photographer Rosalind Solomon. Signed on the verso of the mat and captioned "The Rama Lila Players Backstage, Festival of Dussehra, Kangra 1982". A group of women, some in festival costume and facial paint, appear in a stage set.

Kangra is a city and a municipal council in Kangra district in the Indian state of Himachal Pradesh. Dussehra, or Vijayadashami, is a festival celebrated in India and Nepal each autumn which commemorates the defeat of the demon king, Ravana, by the prince Rama (as recounted in the ancient Hindu epic the Ramayana). The Rama Lila refers to the activities performed by Rama during his time on earth; the re-enactment of the Rama Lila takes place over the ten days of Dussehra, culminating o the tenth day with the slaying of Ravana by Rama.

American photographer Rosalind Solomon (b. 1930) took up photography in 1968 after a trip to Japan. Since then she has worked in Nepal, India and South America, capturing images of native lifestyles and religious rituals. Solomon is also known for her portraits.

FSA A2001.02

Solomon, Rosalind, 1930-

Kangra (India : District)

India -- Himachal Pradesh -- Kangra

Dasara

Gift of the Charles Blitzer Estate, 2001.

Freer Gallery of Art and Arthur M. Sackler Gallery Archives

Collection descriptions

Archival materials

Prints

Photographs

Rosalind Solomon photograph. FSA.A2001.02. National Museum of Asian Art Archives. Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D.C.

One oversized folder.

Permission to publish, quote, or reproduce must be secured from the repository.

Photographs -- Silver gelatin prints

Photographs

Collection is open for research.