
Hamid Ali Hanbhi
Charan Seva, 2025
Painting, dupatta and stitching on canvas
42x60 inches
The phrase 'Charan Seva” refers to centuries old practice in the sub-continent, the practice saw a decline during the British Raj due to changing social norms and legal reforms.. The...
The phrase "Charan Seva” refers to centuries old practice in the sub-continent, the practice saw a decline during the British Raj due to changing social norms and legal reforms.. The painting reinforces traditional hierarchies, where devotion and submission are often demanded of women. Women are asked to touch their husband’s feet which establishes the husband's unchallenged authority. The argument of marital rape can also be brought into the context here. The choice of a shadi dupatta as the surface material adds another dimension, linking the visual to marriage rituals and the weight of societal expectations. The contrast between the decorative, celebratory fabric and the imagery of a man's feet on rough ground further emphasizes the tension between idealized tradition and lived reality.