The Decade

Year: 2020 Concept: The Decade is based on the year 2010. In the year 2010, the two most significant events of my life were learning Indian classical dance- Bharatnatyam and the onset of vitiligo. The images depict mudras (hand gestures) used in Bharatnatyam. Medium: Photography, Body paint

Morning ritual

Year: 2019 Dimensions: 2480 x 1653 pixels Concept: Aditi Sawarkar Photo: Eloise Duffus (@dustbreed)

Mundane

mundane adjective lacking interest or excitement; dull. Synonyms: monotonous, boring, everyday Mundane was often casually used in our day-to-day conversation in the years prior to 2020. Never had we thought, we would witness a year that would perfectly define mundane on a cellular level and even could be used with “eventful” to define a time…

Criminalised

Growing up in Indian culture, a deep-rooted fear of judgement was ingrained within us from a young age. Over the years, this fear of judgement further metamorphosed into shame, guilt, and an imminent societal pressure to be the ‘good girl’. What even defines a ‘good girl’?   Someone who blindly goes by societal rules and norms,…

Roots

To Us, The 21st century South Asian women sandwiched between traditional values and modernity; may we keep liberating ourselves from the invisible yet prominent shackles of society. May we honour the women who have walked the earth before us and laid out a path. About time we embrace our natural golden armour which glows in…

The night before sunrise

With every moment passing We knew this was coming to an end  New beginnings with sunrise Were we happy?   Different paths chosen Last breath of togetherness woven Reminiscence of the memories Were we happy?   Lying underneath the stars Baffled by our perfectly imperfect connection Wishing upon a shooting star, for similar intimacy ahead…

The wait

It’s waiting for me at the end of this road. Road meticulously laid,  laid through mountains and woods.   Woods varied with each step, steps numbered yet uncounted.   Uncounted steps taken into new terrain, terrain unknown yet familiar.    Familiar faces left behind,  behind with all the mementos.   It’s waiting for me at…

Dear almost lover

Wandering through these woods, our paths crossed. Before we knew it we walked together, further and deeper.   Days passed, months passed, moments lived and shared.   Throughout our wander we heard two distinct voices:  soft murmurs of love and noises of uncertainty.   Deafened by these noises, we gave in.   Now I wander…

What do you see?

What do you see when you look at me? Stripping me bare with your eyes Inspecting the curves of my body Flicking through all the previous ones in your mind.   Slightly taller than the last one, Definitely fuller than the average ones, Unsure if the face is attractive enough, Debating between a five or…

What’s with war?

What’s with war?  The only question I have for our ancestors. You didn’t know better, We should have learnt by now.   Been here for 200 thousand years, Yet not enough years to teach us to be human.   Those innocents wanted to grow up Make this world a better place. All that remains now…

One day

There is a flower vase with roses In the middle of the room Enchanting passerby with its regal bloom Dreamy sweet fragrance   Days gone by I see the roses, not blooming Just there, wilting Unnoticed for days And one day will never be   There is a flower vase with lilies now Mesmerising passerby…

Distant World

From the distant world, I hear her cry.   Hiding under her roof, Staring outside the glass window, Hoping to find a little love.   All she sees is a street of terror, Innocents frantically pleading for warmth. From the distant world, I hear her cry.   She is waiting patiently, To embrace the gleam…