Exploring the Multifaceted Lives of India's Dalits through Visuals

The photo series titled "Broken" by Asha Thadani captures the lives of Dalits in India, particularly highlighting the marginalized status they face in society. Despite some progress in narrowing gaps in education, income, and health through state institution quotas, many Dalits still find themselves in occupations that are shunned by others. The series displays various aspects of Dalit life, including a Dalit theyyam performer from Kerala who embodies the divinities they venerate during performances. The Musahars, a Dalit community in Bihar, often work on farms owned by landlords and have found alternative livelihoods as entertainers within their community. The Ramnami women of Chhattisgarh state showcase their devotion by tattooing the word "Ram" on their faces and heads, creating a sacred tapestry on their skin. In Varanasi, a skilled Dalit diver surfaces from the Ganges River with coins clenched between his teeth, symbolizing both an offering and an integral part of the river's narrative. Dalit women in Bihar resist upper-caste restrictions on jewelry by creating unique tattoos using natural materials on their huts' walls. Professional mourners, known as Opparis, express grief on behalf of bereaved families in Tamil Nadu. Finally, a Dalit man in Karnataka is part of a group that burns goat heads to prepare and sell meat, a dangerous occupation with a short life expectancy. These stories shed light on the challenges faced by Dalits in India and the resilience they demonstrate in the face of adversity.