'Another me' is a vivid record of trafficking survivors' imaginings of themselves as human, animistic, and divine beings of power, love, revenge, and freedom. Kolkata-based documentary photographer Achinto Bhadra and counsellor Harleen Walia guided 126 girls and women through a "healing journey of psychological transformation". The girls and women in these photographs, aged 8 to 25, have been in the care of Sanlaap, a non-governmental organisation in Kolkata, India. Bhadra and Walia encouraged them to narrate their powerful stories of disappointed childhood, abuse, betrayal, abduction, and slavery in brothels. They then identified an imaginary being that would be an empowered physical expression of their sorrow, anger and hope. The costumes and makeup were created by the particiants and the photography sessions were conducted in ritualistic silence. For a brief time, each woman and child was transformed.

The project was supported by the Swiss Terre des Hommes Foundation. l

Another me, photographs by Achinto Bhadra, runs from 16-26 March at Indigo Gallery, Naxal, 4413580.