Art and culture is a medium of creative expression. For women in this field, it’s always a way of expressing their freedom through their creative pursuits. Some artistes from the city share their thoughts on Women’s day as they participate in programmes.
Artist Beatrice de Fays says, “It’s very nice to celebrate ‘Feminity’. It’s a women’s share of creation, intuition and imagination. I have made paintings which superimpose several portraits of a woman and a man. It’s about building a being that is half woman and half man. Life is a constant movement between our feminine being and our masculine being. With the exchange between the two, we conceive a different and new humanity.”
Architect cum designer Shweta Balasubramoni, who is currently exhibiting her designs in an art exhibition says, “Women are architects of society. They must not hesitate to speak their mind, be who they are and say what they feel. Those who mind don’t matter and those who matter don’t mind. Live and design your life to the fullest, this Women’s Day and every day.”
Writer/Director Anjali Parvati Koda says, “It’s a day to celebrate the value of women and at the same time, think about their continued oppression. The solution is to raise our sons right. It starts with not treating ‘feminism’ like it’s a bad word. We should start expecting and demanding more from men. Maybe not aggressively, but with just a little bit of force.”
Artist Udaya Chiluveru, who has organised a painting exhibition, says, “Women are very talented in different art forms and it’s my endeavor to bring this creative aspect of the many arts on one platform.”
Artist Radhika Prathipati questions, “Why one day? I wish every woman lives and celebrates each day with pride. They have so much love and power within.”
Deepa Nath
My paintings come from the Rasas depicted in Kamasutra. It’s all about the liberation of women portraying scuttle intimate moments of a woman’s life without shying away. It’s about couples in love or an intimate surrounding.
Bhijna Vemuru
Women have an individual identity apart from being someone’s daughter, wife or mother. They are strong and independent but should be given respect and acceptance in society.
Lavanya Dutt
Women’s day is all about thanking two important men in my life — my father and my husband. They have both encouraged me to explore my passion and profession. Even in art, I could never feel freedom doing ‘figures’ and therefore moved to abstract painting.
Gayathri narayanan, Singer
Gayathri feels proud to be successful both professionally and personally. “Today women are in the forefront in all respects and on par with all men.”
Pranati Khanna, Artist
We come from a time where the aftermath of ‘Nirbhaya’ still looms over us like a dark cloud. We still walk on the roads with our heads bowed, not daring to make eye contact with anyone lest they try and look at us in a dirty fashion. So, I ask, if we don’t feel safe on the street and we don’t feel safe at home, where do we find solace? As artists, we find solace in our paintings or our crafts. There is nothing we can’t survive and there is nothing we aren’t equipped to do.
Priyanka Aelay, Artist and daughter of well known artist Laxman Aelay
I don’t think there is a special need for a day for women because there is no need for women to struggle about their identity. Most of us have always talked about gender issues and patriarchy. Now, the need is to come beyond it and stand up to our identity.”
