Puja
The ritual of puja is founded in religion, but it is far more expansive in the lives of Hindu culture. It runs deep through personal, family and social life. It is the rituals of love, blessings, togetherness and health; the search for enlightenment and depth; seeking meaning to life and death. It is joyous, it is humbling and it is liberating from personal constraints. It is submission to connections to within and to without.
The rituals of puja are means to comprehend and appreciate our spiritual self and the connection to oneness. It is to understand that the pride and individuality is an illusion. It is not that homage is paid to multiple gods but it is to view and experience the oneness through multiple windows.
It is like the soothing translucent aachal of her saree that wraps as all in her warmth.
Photographs, editing, sequencing: Laila Nahar / Book Concept and Book design: Laila Nahar / Texts: Tanveer Khondker, Laila Nahar, excerpt from Bhagavad Gita and wikipedia / Language: English, Sanskrit / Self-Published / Variable Edition of 25 Hand-bound copies in Jan, 2025 /
Collection: Baylor University
To acquire/purchase, please email me.
Details of book-structure: Each spread of 3 photo-montage forms a French flap with 4 folds. 10 spreads of photo-montage/texts and 2 shorter spreads are stitched with Coptic Binding. Hardcover with imagewrap and Screenprint Sanskrit scripture on Handmade Paper from India.
Inside pages - Archival Inkjet print on Red River Matte, title page Minori paper (Japan). Endcover with Archival Inkjet print on Hiromi Paper (or Red River Hanji Paper), Screenprint of Sanskrit scripture on handmade paper from India (Sri Arobindo Handmade paper) (subject to availability) or Gita scripture on handmade paper. Based on cover base-paper, each book would be slightly different.
Inside flaps open like a flower.
Sold individually or in a handmade slipcase with the other Artist Photobook on Rituals ‘Face to Faith’.
Total 40 pages where each spread making 4 folds/pages, 34 photos.
- 4.125 x 5.625 in
Exhibition: selected for the Ritual exhibition presented by 23 Sandy and Baylor University Libraries. On view at Baylor University (Feb-May’25). 23sandy.com.
