Parsi Villages

THROUGH A LENS, BY A MIRROR: THE PARSIS (1977-2013)

Many Indians, even those with Parsi friends, are often surprised to hear that we once lived in villages. Perhaps we are perceived as urban sophisticates with no roots. It's an understandable perception. Though we are veterans of the city, even the most refined, worldly-wise, cosmopolitan Parsi has ancestors who were once farmers, weavers or small-time traders in Gujarat.

Miss Dastoor reads the Mumbai Samachar, Sooni Taraporevala, 1984, From the collection of: National Gallery of Modern Art
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Miss Dastoor reads the Mumbai Samachar | Udvada | Gujarat | 1984

Mr Kolah at his pickle shop, Sooni Taraporevala, 1982, From the collection of: National Gallery of Modern Art
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Mr Kolah at his famous shop known for its pickles, vinegars, and chutneys | Navsari | 1982

Swinging in Udvada, Gujarat, Sooni Taraporevala, 1997, From the collection of: National Gallery of Modern Art
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Swinging in Udvada | Gujarat | 1997

Resting goat, Sooni Taraporevala, 1980, From the collection of: National Gallery of Modern Art
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Resting goat | Udvada | 1980

Oil lamps at Iranshah Atash Bahram, Sooni Taraporevala, 1980, From the collection of: National Gallery of Modern Art
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Oil lamps at Iranshah Atash Bahram | Udvada | 1980

Priests at a wedding, Sooni Taraporevala, 1982, From the collection of: National Gallery of Modern Art
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Priests at a wedding | Navsari | 1982

JFK admirer in Udvada, Gujarat, Sooni Taraporevala, 1998, From the collection of: National Gallery of Modern Art
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JFK admirer in Udvada | 1998

Lady in pink at Iranshah Atash Bahram, Sooni Taraporevala, 1986, From the collection of: National Gallery of Modern Art
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Iranshah Atash Bahram | Udvada | 1986

Morning shadows, Sooni Taraporevala, 1986, From the collection of: National Gallery of Modern Art
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Morning shadows | Udvada | 1986

Cleaning Boi for breakfast, Sooni Taraporevala, 1986, From the collection of: National Gallery of Modern Art
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Cleaning fish for breakfast | Udvada } 1986

Hotel Majestic, Sooni Taraporevala, 2007, From the collection of: National Gallery of Modern Art
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Hotel Majestic | Udvada | 2007

Portrait in the Hotel Majestic, Sooni Taraporevala, 2007, From the collection of: National Gallery of Modern Art
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Owner's portrait in Hotel Majestic | Udvada | 2007

Wooden bull and Zarathustra in the Hotel Majestic, Sooni Taraporevala, 2007, From the collection of: National Gallery of Modern Art
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Wooden bull and Zarathustra in Hotel Majestic | Udvada | 2007

Credits: Story

All photographs © Sooni Taraporevala from her exhibition THROUGH A LENS, BY A MIRROR: THE PARSIS (1977 -2013) at the National Gallery of Modern Art, (NGMA) New Delhi in 2013.—

Credits: All media
The story featured may in some cases have been created by an independent third party and may not always represent the views of the institutions, listed below, who have supplied the content.
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