In India more than 2,600,000 dry toilets have been reported, and the people who clean these dry toilets are mostly women who belong to a sub caste of the Dalit community, and have been doing this work for generations.
Paradoxically, the law prohibits this practice of ‘manual scavenging’ as it is officially called, and has made provisions for the rehabilitation of people who are currently engaged in this task. But the practice still continues.
The drawings are an artistic response to this ghastly situation, and were exhibited in Fumetto Festival 2019 in Lucerne, as part of the group show, Mytholithics: Graphic Art from India.
Are there gods in the sewers?
Gifts for the new bride
The legacy of disease
Will anyone buy my chai?
Turmeric makes me ill
Burn the baskets
I want my dignity
Laughter is like air to me, what more do we have?
Shoili Kanungo 