Editor’s Note: In Snap, we look at the power of a single photograph, chronicling stories about how both modern and historical images have been made.
CNN
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For Indian actor Chapal Bhaduri, the last man known to play female roles in Bengali folk theater, getting into character was both practical and ritualistic. He would put his hands together as if in prayer before applying makeup, drawing on eyebrows, affixing eyelashes and donning a bra, blouse, wig and golden jewelry.
The application of a “third eye” on his forehead marked the completion of his transformation into Shitala, the Hindu goddess of ailments, including smallpox. An iconic photograph by the publisher and…
