Draupadi, Thousands of incense sticks, fabric, Video projection, 6 ft x 2.5 ft
Draupadi, the mythological character from Indian epic Mahabharata, is commonly identified in context of Vastraharana (victim of sexual abuse). She has always been projected as helpless, vulnerable character always. Whereas, I find Draupadi as a very powerful character, who inspired Pandavas to fight for their rights and she emerged as a reason for the holy war of Mahabharata. Even after this trauma, Draupadi stood up for her honor. She seems like a phoenix to me. The power of her character is like the aroma of the burning fragrance sticks, strongly felt but hardly visible.
Here, I made a saree (Indian draping cloth for women) with around thousand fragrance sticks. This multi-sensory installation has the time-lapse video of this saree burning, projected on the three layers of semitransparent fabrics. At the base of the fabric, a line of fragrance sticks was continuously burning and spreading its aroma around.
The deep rooted myths and mythology of Indian culture influences society even today. It is an attempt for building the counter narrative by re-contextualize those mythological stories beyond the pity of victimising women and recognising and reaffirming the strength.
Here, I made a saree (Indian draping cloth for women) with around thousand fragrance sticks. This multi-sensory installation has the time-lapse video of this saree burning, projected on the three layers of semitransparent fabrics. At the base of the fabric, a line of fragrance sticks was continuously burning and spreading its aroma around.
The deep rooted myths and mythology of Indian culture influences society even today. It is an attempt for building the counter narrative by re-contextualize those mythological stories beyond the pity of victimising women and recognising and reaffirming the strength.