TRANSFORMED BY INDIA
CHAPTER NINE: GROUNDING
Cross-cultural surveys result in my first book: Village India in 1985. Tired of being expats, we move back to the USA, settling in Camden, Maine, where I work to improve my photography skills and sow the seeds of a second career curating exhibitions. In 1994, I publish my second book, Gifts of Earth, drawn from my doctoral thesis work.
Village India
![](https://stephenhuyler.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/9.1-Village-India-Book-Cover-Abrams-1985.jpg)
Village India
Village India Book Cover, Abrams, 1985
Village India
![](https://stephenhuyler.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/9.2-Village-India-Irrigating-usng-a-basket-in-Orissa.jpg)
Village India
Irrigating usng a basket in Orissa
Village India
![](https://stephenhuyler.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/9.3-Village-India-Plowing-an-irrigated-f-field-in-Tamil-Nadu.jpg)
Village India
Plowing an irrigated f field in Tamil Nadu
Village India
![](https://stephenhuyler.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/9.4-Village-India-Women-Harvesting-Rice-in-Chhatisgarh.jpg)
Village India
Women Harvesting Rice in Chhatisgarh
Village India
![](https://stephenhuyler.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/9.5-Village-India-A-Potter-pounds-a-round-bottom-onto-a-water-veseel-in-Orissa.jpg)
Village India
A Potter pounds a round bottom onto a water veseel in Orissa
Village India
![](https://stephenhuyler.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/9.6-Viilage-India-Brass-vessel-making-in-Orissa3.jpg)
Village India
Brass vessel making in Orissa3
Village India
![](https://stephenhuyler.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/9.7-Village-India-An-embroiderer-in-Kachchh-Gujarat.jpg)
Village India
An embroiderer in Kachchh, Gujarat
Village India
![](https://stephenhuyler.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/9.8-Village-India-A-Camel-Belt-Weaver-in-Jaisalmer-District-Rajasthan.jpg)
Village India
A Camel Belt Weaver in Jaisalmer District, Rajasthan
Village India
![](https://stephenhuyler.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/9.9-Village-India-A-Goatherder-in-Himachal-Pradesh.jpg)
Village India
A Goatherder in Himachal Pradesh
Village India
![](https://stephenhuyler.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/9.10-Village-India-Children-Celebrating-Saraswati-Puja-in-Orissa.jpg)
Village India
Children Celebrating Saraswati Puja in Orissa
Village India
![](https://stephenhuyler.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/9.11-Village-India-A-grandmother-caring-for-her-Grandson-in-Uttar-Pradesh.jpg)
Village India
A grandmother caring for her Grandson in Uttar Pradesh
Village India
![](https://stephenhuyler.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/9.12-Women-Singing-Bhajans-in-Jochpur-Rajasthan.jpg)
Village India
Women Singing Bhajans in Jochpur, Rajasthan
Camden
![](https://stephenhuyler.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/9.12-View-of-the-Camden-Maine-Harbor.jpg)
Camden
View of the Camden, Maine Harbor
Camden
![](https://stephenhuyler.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/9.13-Camden-Maine-from-the-top-of-nearby-Mount-Battie.jpg)
Camden
Camden, Maine from the top of nearby Mount Battie
Camden
![](https://stephenhuyler.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/9.14-Huyler-House-in-1984-When-We-Purchased-It.jpg)
Camden
Huyler House in 1984 When We Purchased It
Camden
![](https://stephenhuyler.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/9.15-Sea-Street-Garden-in-1984-Before-Landscaping.jpg)
Camden
Sea Street Garden in 1984 Before Landscaping
Camden
![](https://stephenhuyler.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/9.16-Sea-Street-Patio-After-Landscaping.jpg)
Camden
Sea Street Patio After Landscaping
Camden
![](https://stephenhuyler.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/9.17-Sea-Street-Rose-Garden.jpg)
Camden
Sea Street Rose Garden
Brooklyn Museum Exhibition 1985
![](https://stephenhuyler.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/9.18-From-Indian-Earth-Catalog-Cover.jpg)
Brooklyn Museum Exhibition 1985
From Indian Earth Catalog Cover
Brooklyn Museum Exhibition 1985
![](https://stephenhuyler.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/9.19-From-Indian-Earth-Exhibition-and-Stephen-.jpg)
Brooklyn Museum Exhibition 1985
From Indian Earth Exhibition and Stephen
Brooklyn Museum Exhibition 1985
![](https://stephenhuyler.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/9.20-From-Indian-Earth-Exhibition-and-Stephen-2.jpg)
Brooklyn Museum Exhibition 1985
From Indian Earth Exhibition and Stephen 2
Brooklyn Museum Exhibition 1985
![](https://stephenhuyler.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/9.21-From-Indian-Earth-Exhibition-.jpg)
Brooklyn Museum Exhibition 1985
From Indian Earth Exhibition
Mingei Exhibition
![](https://stephenhuyler.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/9.22-Forms-of-Mother-Earth-Exhibition-Catalog-Cover.jpg)
Mingei Exhibition
Forms of Mother Earth Exhibition Catalog Cover
![](https://stephenhuyler.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/9.jpg)
Babu Mohapatra
Gifts of Earth
![](https://stephenhuyler.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/9.24-Gifts-of-Earth-Book-Cover-1995.jpg)
Gifts of Earth
Gifts of Earth Book Cover, 1995
Gifts of Earth
![](https://stephenhuyler.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/9.25-Throwing-a-Vessel-Tamil-Nadu.jpg)
Gifts of Earth
Throwing a Vessel, Tamil Nadu
Gifts of Earth
![](https://stephenhuyler.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/9.27-Throwing-a-Vessel-in-Orissa.jpg)
Gifts of Earth
Throwing a Vessel in Orissa
Gifts of Earth
![](https://stephenhuyler.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/9.28-A-Kiln-in-Gujarat.jpg)
Gifts of Earth
A Kiln in Gujarat
Gifts of Earth
![](https://stephenhuyler.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/9.29-A-Kiln-in-Rajasthan.jpg)
Gifts of Earth
A Kiln in Rajasthan
Gifts of Earth
![](https://stephenhuyler.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/9.30-Decorating-Vessels-in-Uttar-Pradesh.jpg)
Gifts of Earth
Decorating Vessels in Uttar Pradesh
Gifts of Earth
![](https://stephenhuyler.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/9.31-Decorating-a-Vessel-in-Gujarat.jpg)
Gifts of Earth
Decorating a Vessel in Gujarat
Gifts of Earth
![](https://stephenhuyler.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/9.32-Vessels-on-the-way-to-market-in-Karnataka.jpg)
Gifts of Earth
Vessels on the way to market in Karnataka
Gifts of Earth
![](https://stephenhuyler.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/9.33-Vessels-on-the-way-to-market-in-Uttar-Pradesh.jpg)
Gifts of Earth
Vessels on the way to market in Uttar Pradesh
Gifts of Earth
![](https://stephenhuyler.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/9.34-Vessels-for-sale-in-a-market-in-Orissa.jpg)
Gifts of Earth
Vessels for sale in a market in Orissa
Gifts of Earth
![](https://stephenhuyler.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/9.35-Vessels-for-sale-in-a-market-in-Madhya-Pradesh.jpg)
Gifts of Earth
Vessels for sale in a market in Madhya Pradesh
Gifts of Earth
![](https://stephenhuyler.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/9.37-Ayyanar-Horse-and-Veeran-For-Sale.jpg)
Gifts of Earth
Ayyanar Horse and Veeran For Sale
Gifts of Earth
![](https://stephenhuyler.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/9.38-Ayyanar-Horse-in-Shrine-South-Arcot-District-Tamil-Nadu.jpg)
Gifts of Earth
Ayyanar Horse in Shrine- South Arcot District, Tamil Nadu
Gifts of Earth
![](https://stephenhuyler.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/9.39-Ayyanar-Horses-in-Shrine-South-Arcot-District-Tamil-Nadu.jpg)
Gifts of Earth
Ayyanar Horses in Shrine - South Arcot District, Tamil Nadu
Gifts of Earth
![](https://stephenhuyler.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/9.40-Ayyanar-Donor-Couple-South-Arcot-District-Tamil-Nadu.jpg)
Gifts of Earth
Ayyanar Donor Couple - South Arcot District, Tamil Nadu
Gifts of Earth
![](https://stephenhuyler.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/9.41-Large-Terrracotta-Horses-North-Arcot-District-Tamil-Nadu-T.jpg)
Gifts of Earth
Large Terrracotta Horses, North Arcot District, Tamil Nadu
Gifts of Earth
![](https://stephenhuyler.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/9.42-Giant-Terracotta-Ayyanar-Horses-Semakottai-South-Arcot-District-Tamil-Nadu.jpg)
Gifts of Earth
Giant Terracotta Ayyanar Horses, Semakottai, South Arcot District, Tamil Nadu
Gifts of Earth
![](https://stephenhuyler.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/9.43-Stucco-Image-of-Ayyanar-Vaidikakkam-TN-.jpg)
Gifts of Earth
Stucco Image of Ayyanar, Vaidikakkam Tamil Nadu
Gifts of Earth
![](https://stephenhuyler.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/9.44-Terracotta-Image-of-Ayyanar-South-Arcot-District-Tamil-Nadu.jpg)
Gifts of Earth
Terracotta Image of Ayyanar - South Arcot District, Tamil Nadu
Gifts of Earth
![](https://stephenhuyler.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/9.45-Rural-Shrine-Bankura-District-Weste-Bengal.jpg)
Gifts of Earth
Rural Shrine, Bankura District, Weste Bengal
Gifts of Earth
![](https://stephenhuyler.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/9.46-Pot-Figures-and-Tiny-Horses-Bankura-District-West-Bengal.jpg)
Gifts of Earth
Pot Figures and Tiny Horses, Bankura District, West Bengal
Gifts of Earth
![](https://stephenhuyler.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/9.47-Large-Terracotta-Shrine-to-Goddess-Manasa-Panchmura-Bankura-District-West-Bengal.jpg)
Gifts of Earth
Large Terracotta Shrine to Goddess Manasa, Panchmura, Bankura District, West Bengal
Gifts of Earth
![](https://stephenhuyler.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/9.48-Devotee-Bowing-to-Thakurani-Shrine-Puri-DIstrict-Odisha.jpg)
Gifts of Earth
Devotee Bowing to Thakurani Shrine, Puri DIstrict, Odisha
Gifts of Earth
![](https://stephenhuyler.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/9.49-Teracotta-Horses-in-Thakurani-Shrine-Berhampur-District-Odisha.jpg)
Gifts of Earth
Teracotta Horses in Thakurani Shrine, Berhampur District, Odisha
Gifts of Earth
![](https://stephenhuyler.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/9.50-Terracotta-Elephants-Placed-in-a-Kali-Ma-Shrine-Deoria-District-Uttar-Pradesh.jpg)
Gifts of Earth
Terracotta Elephants Placed in a Kali-Ma Shrine, Deoria District, Uttar Pradesh
Gifts of Earth
![](https://stephenhuyler.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/9.51-Terracotta-Elephants-in-a-Kali-Ma-shrine-in-Gorapkhpur-District-UP.jpg)
Gifts of Earth
Terracotta Elephants in a Kali-Ma shrine in Gorapkhpur District, UP
Gifts of Earth
![](https://stephenhuyler.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/9.52-Potter-Sculpting-a-Kali-Ma-Elephant-Deoria-District-Uttar-Pradesh.jpg)
Gifts of Earth
Potter Sculpting a Kali-Ma Elephant, Deoria District, Uttar Pradesh
Gifts of Earth
![](https://stephenhuyler.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/9.53-Terracotta-Elephant-Placed-in-a-Kiln-to-Fire-in-Deoria-District-Uttar-Pradesh.jpg)
Gifts of Earth
Terracotta Elephant Placed in a Kiln to Fire in Deoria District, Uttar Pradesh
Gifts of Earth
![](https://stephenhuyler.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/9.54-Elephants-Facing-A-Kali-Ma-Mound-in-as-Shrine-in-Gorakhpur-DIstrict-Uttar-Pradesh.jpg)
Gifts of Earth
Elephants Facing A Kali-Ma Mound in as Shrine in Gorakhpur DIstrict, Uttar Pradesh
Gifts of Earth
![](https://stephenhuyler.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/9.55-Potter-with-Votive-Plaques-of-Bhil-Dieties-in-Molela-Rajasthan.jpg)
Gifts of Earth
Potter with Votive Plaques of Bhil Dieties in Molela, Rajasthan
Gifts of Earth
![](https://stephenhuyler.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/9.56-Terracotta-in-a-Shrine-to-the-Bhilala-Deity-Kampala-Dev-Jhabua-District-Madhya-Pradesh-.jpg)
Gifts of Earth
Terracotta in a Shrine to the Bhilala Deity Kampala Dev, Jhabua District, Madhya Pradesh
Gifts of Earth
![](https://stephenhuyler.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/9.57-Terracotta-Elephant-in-a-Bhilala-Shrine-Jhabua-District-Madhya-Pradesh-.jpg)
Gifts of Earth
Terracotta Elephant in a Bhilala Shrine, Jhabua District, Madhya Pradesh
Gifts of Earth
![](https://stephenhuyler.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/9.59-Unidentified-Pot-Figures-in-a-shrine-in-KumbharkorrigeNorth-Kanara-District-Karnataka-.jpg)
Gifts of Earth
Unidentified Pot Figures in a shrine in Kumbharkorrige,North Kanara District, Karnataka
Gifts of Earth
![](https://stephenhuyler.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/9.60-Unidentified-Terracotta-Heads-in-a-Surface-Shrine-KumbharkorrigeNorth-Kanara-District-Karnataka-.jpg)
Gifts of Earth
Unidentified Terracotta Heads in a Surface Shrine, Kumbharkorrige,North Kanara District, Karnataka
Gifts of Earth
![](https://stephenhuyler.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/9.61-Tulasi-Vessel-in-Daily-Worship-Puri-District-Odisha-.jpg)
Gifts of Earth
Tulasi Vessel in Daily Worship, Puri District, Odisha
Gifts of Earth
![](https://stephenhuyler.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/9.62-Potter-Sculpting-a-Tulasi-Vessel-Puri-District-Odisha.jpg)
Gifts of Earth
Potter Sculpting a Tulasi Vessel, Puri District, Odisha
Gifts of Earth
![](https://stephenhuyler.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/9.63-Potter-Sculpting-a-Tulasi-Vessel-Puri-District-Odisha-.jpg)
Gifts of Earth
Potter Sculpting a Tulasi Vessel, Puri District, Odisha
Gifts of Earth
![](https://stephenhuyler.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/9.64-Women-Worshipping-Tulasi-Outside-their-home-Puri-District-Odisha.jpg)
Gifts of Earth