Brahmin Boy

The present work shows a young Brahmin boy, identifiable through the thread around his chest as well as the ritualistic mark on his forehead. Menon has frequently depicted priests and sadhus in her works from the 1990s onwards. At a time when the country was experiencing "religious turbulence over issues such as "the Mandir and the Masjid", she uses these "essentially Hindu devices to chant a compelling litany of both Ram and Rahim..." (Isana Murti, Anjolie Ela Menon, New Delhi, 1995, p. 37.) The presence of Ganesha and a saffron flag in the background support her use of traditional Hindu symbols.