by PRITI GULATI COX
Boni Karde Ma by PRITI GULATI COX – gouache, graphite, embroidery, acrylic and pigments 32″ x 24″
The massive retail sector in India that is the livelihood of millions of people is being threatened by privatization. More and more shopping malls and supermarkets are sprouting up all over the country and directly affecting the small traders, shop owners, artisans, hawkers, street vendors, etc.
The title of this work signifies the superstition among the vendor community, where boni, the first sale of the day, is considered lucky, and the belief that once that sale is made, the rest of the day will be productive. Often they will plead with the customer early in the day for their first sale.
The colored face on the board is called nazar bandh. Variations of this image are usually hung outside shops and believed to keep the evil eye at bay.
Vanishing India for separate and enhanced parts of this painting and more work by Priti Gulati Cox.