The portraits of Jatra (mythological play) artists titled "The Make up Room" was made in a tiny makeshift costume and make up room used by these artists. They are located in the small town of Gopalpur in the southern part of Odisha, India. The production funds only allowed for a tarp draped over a vacant verandah near the stage for the artists to change and get ready for the performance.
This make up room became my canvas to observe these artists up close. None of them were full-time theater artists, coming from different walks of life with mostly meager incomes, the make-up room transformed them into gods and goddesses for a night. I found them fervently revising their scripts and meticulously rehearsing the 35-act play that was to be performed all night. They were determined to put up a flawless performance for their community.
When I asked for permission to photograph them I noticed a rush of happy energy in the make up room, they thought my photographs could be a medium to get them recognition for what they are doing.
Not only did they pose for me in The Makeup room while the play was being enacted on stage, but they also opened up this window that artists so effortlessly open for other artists. This project will be a constant reminder for me for allowing other creators in my process with open hearts and a warm cup of tea on a cold winter night.
I walked into The Make Up Room as a photographer and walked out with a bunch of middle-aged men I can now call friends
