Abstract: The art work is a triptych made of three wall fabric installation referring to three women from three different yugas from Indian/Hindu mythology. A very personal reflection of artist’s own identity in the growing understanding of her cultural past and political present.
Title- Angry Mothers, Mixed media, 15x10x6 ft, 2019
More on the artwork-
The three women present three yugas in Indian mythology. The yellow represents Sati from Satyug. According to the myth, Sati’s father Daksha organized a yagna where he didn’t invited Shiva and Sati. Sati wanted to go but Shiva asked her not to but still Sati went. When Sati reached the Yagna, she saw that all the gods have their seats but there was not even a seat designated for Shiva. She got so enraged with the disrespect, she told her father that his yagna will never be complete without Shiva’s presence. After saying these words Sati entered the yagna fire.
Hearing of Sati’s death, Shiva came running to the place and then carrying the half burned body of Sati, Shiva ran all over the universe doing the Pralaya-Tandava. The legend says that wherever the body parts of Sati fell, it became a Shakti-Peeth in India such as Kamakhya in Assam and many more.
The black one stands for Sita and Tretayug. Sita had to give the agni-pareeksha to prove her chastity. Still later she had to leave the palace and gave birth to her son in forest. Ultimately she decided not to come back to Ram but to enter the mother earth where she came from.
The Red one stands for Draupadi and Dwaparyug. Her hairs are soaked in blood of Dushashana in the war of Mahabharata. According to the legend, when Draupadi was mistreated and dragged by her hairs to the court of Kauravas, she made a vow that she will not tie her hairs until she washed it with Dushanshan’s blood.
Hairs are one of the most important part of women’s body which represents shame, pride and shringaar depending on time and space. The artist decided to represent these yugas and their defining ladies thorugh their hairs and the iconic storyline.
Image copyright- Artologue (not to be used without permission)
Image copyright- Artologue (not to be used without permission)