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<p>[QUOTE=&quot;PavloK, post: 12905869, member: 110549&quot;]This photo is highly symbolic. The girl&#039;s white face (makeup was used) symbolizes her European ancestry (though she is apparently not European, but a young Indian dancer). The two rings on her hand are attributes of the Indian dance Bharatanatyam (a largely religious dance). This dance was banned by British colonizers in India in 1910. However, Indians began to protest and began performing it outside of temples. The statue seems to be dragging the girl forward. In this case, the statue subjugates the European woman. </p><p><br /></p><p>In my understanding, this photo symbolizes the subjugation of European culture to Shaivism and Hinduism (Indian culture) in general. There is very little eroticism in the photo, but a lot of Indian patriotism and religious motifs. Incidentally, Bharatanatyam is characterized by 108 key poses. The girl, made up to look like a European, corresponds to one of these poses. This pose is number 78 and is called śūci-viddham</p><p><br /></p><p>In other words, with this photograph, the Indians were saying, &quot;The British will dance our dance.&quot; The photo was most likely taken shortly after the ban on Bharatanatyam in 1910.[/QUOTE]</p><p><br /></p>

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