Untitled

The imposition of Emergency by Prime Minister Indira Gandhi from 1975-77 was a seminal period in the country’s history and artists like Navjot, and her late husband Altaf, were at the forefront of commenting on the resultant internment of political and intellectual voices during the period. At this time, she was also a member of PROYOM (Progressive Youth Movement), a left-leaning collective. In this work, Navjot creates a stark image in black and white of an ageing politician—evident from his attire—at rest in the important chair that gives him unmitigated power. His smug complacency is a reflection of his nonchalance towards the gagging and torture of men and women at the other end of the political spectrum, who, perhaps, lie imprisoned beyond the mesh behind his chair.