Last of the Behrupia (Impersonator)

A gaudy exposition of visual excesses, employing shock and awe in an entertainment form that pre-dates broadcast. Behrupias or Impersonators, are a dying vocation that once drew large crowds through vivid projections of demons, animals and mythical creatures drawn from a deeply personal interpretation of popular fiction. This typology of portraits preserves this wonderful and awe-inspiring art-form in all its glory and detail. BEHRUPIA (Impersonator) is one of the most traditional and ancient performing art from the Indian Subcontinent. Most of the practitioners of this “dying” art are involved from several generations, since hundreds of years. One can get a rare glimpse of the Behrupias during Indian festivals when they dress up, which can take upto 3-4 hours and roam the streets as entertainers for a meagre sum of money. The performers also mimic the movements and speak dialogues to complete the role play. In the old days, the kings used to send their ministers as Behrupias to know about ground realities and even conspiracies. BEHRUPIA have never been captured in a portrait setting.