As someone who also spent my formative years in Mumbai, India, I would love to hear about your experience growing up in New Delhi? New Delhi is the capital of India, and I grew up there just like any other Delhi girl. Being in Delhi, I was exposed to multiple cultures, rituals, practices and ideologies. As a young girl, growing up I was shy but ambitious. My parents encouraged me to participate in every activity and be independent. I learned Karate at a very young age which helped me to fight the conventional philosophy. I think that was my first step to fight the standards.
expected to please God, or a form represent phallic figure to get a rightful husband. It is auspicious yet mysterious. It was much later I realised what the form represented. The form is the symbol of fertility, and every civilisation has celebrated sexuality. It is present from Kamasutra to the temples of Khujraho. I guess this varied culture, has inspired me immensely in creating my art, yet it keeps me questioning the practices and their relevance in today’s world.
It almost feels like we are undoing years of progress with regards to race, sexuality and gender identity if one were to focus on current politics and events, do How did the rich and varied you think the reality is accurately culture of India, something that’s represented in the news we read? incorporated in your work, shape Well, I believe it’s partially true as you as an artist? sometimes the media tend to As I was born and brought up in exaggerate. The news we read is India, I have experienced a lot of only 1/4 reflection to what actually rituals, and from very young age happened. And if I can recall the I used to question these practices. incident “Nirbhaya” happened in India has always been my New Delhi 2013. inspiration, from Sanskrit to different traditions and customs. First of all, I must say it was deeply unfortunate and cruel what For example, as a girl, I have happened. The news has shocked always worshipped Shivlinga, and the country for sure but what I for some reason women are discovered later in New York 48