Tara took it upon herself to research and translate her findings in illustrations
Illustrations have the power to convey your feelings and opinions in a way that sometimes even words fail. 17-year-old Tara Anand is one such Mumbai-based illustrator who knows how to let her art talk. It all began with a casual conversation about women leaders and powerful queens in history, with an acquaintance, which made her realise how little she knew about some of the most powerful queens in Indian history. Her project 'I Am No Man' aims at reviving the stories of Indian women warriors who have been lost in the pages of history. The title is inspired by The Lord of the Rings character Eowyn who screams 'I am no man' before slaying the witch king Angmar in a battle.
Tara took it upon herself to research and translate her findings in illustrations. "I've been drawing and painting since before I can remember. I am a fan of The Lord of the Rings, and I draw a lot of inspiration from the books and movies, which I like. I love to illustrate characters from my favourite books," she shares. Of her own illustrations, her favourite is the one of Rani Velu Nachiyar, and the two-page comic about forest floods. "I'm not a very articulate person. I use illustrations to communicate something I feel strongly about. I just want to tell the world how powerful art can be in influencing mindsets and cultures," she says.
So, what drives this teen girl to send out a message through her work? "I'm not too fond of the idea of a 'role model', I have trouble with the idea of idolising a single person and trying to emulate them. I find it better to pick virtues from various people to admire, in which case even Kardashians and Jenners have their good qualities," she says.
Tara has received several accolades for her artwork, which have been part of renowned publications like the BBC. On the road to success, there is never a substitute for hard work, and Tara has just one important advice to give to other budding illustrators —"Never underestimate the power and effect of practice in your life".
India is a young nation and the responsibility of putting the country back on map lies with the youth. Talents like Tara can create a difference.
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