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Draupadi, Gandhari and Kunti’s millennial revamp

Illustrator Annushka Hardikar gives Mahabharata’s women a modern twist

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Oh Nari, So Sanskari is available for preview on Behance (http://tinyurl.com/ybyozcr2)
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Gandhari is an unabashed feminist who sports bumblebee glasses; politically-correct Kunti wears sleeveless blouses from the ‘70s; while Draupadi doles out advice on restoring virginity — these are all the women in illustrator Annushka Hardikar’s e-zine, Oh Nari, So Sanskari!.

After reading several versions of the Mahabharata, not only did Hardikar find a disparity in the way the women were shown, she also thought their stories were no longer relatable. “Their personalities were not explored, nor were their desires brought to light,” says the 22-year-old. “I don’t relate to these characters; they are different from how I view women. We’ve grown up listening to these stories but I wouldn’t narrate them in the same way to my children.”

Hardikar modelled her millennial Gandhari, Kunti and Draupadi on interviews she did, over a span of four months, with about 100 women aged between 18 and 30. She asked them about common stereotypes, and to describe being an Indian woman in one word. The answers were “tough”, “tiresome” and “difficult”. One of the most significant insights for her was the similarity in issues faced by women from the time of Mahabharata and today. She came across educated households that married off their daughters early; and urban families with four daughters that continued to encourage the women to try for a son. “Women who smoke and drink are considered ‘loose’ and ‘easy’, women who’ve left their husbands aren’t seen in the best light,” notes Hardikar. “When they spoke about difficulties in their families and workplaces, most spoke about not being able to wear certain clothes, and being looked down upon for talking freely about their desires,” says Hardikar, “Working women are expected to manage the home too.” The independent Indian woman continues to be pulled back by outdated societal norms, it was this crossroads that bothered the Pune-based freelance illustrator.

“Some of the stories from the epic are progressive,” she notes. “The women are powerful but disadvantaged. Gandhari was well-educated, but forced into marriage. I have shown her as a bold and radical feminist.”

Kunti is a bit of a contrast in Hardikar’s reimagination. “She is more traditional. She wants to keep the elders happy but at the same time, gets what she wants. She has opinions, but is diplomatic,” notes Hardikar. Draupadi tries to balance being an ideal wife and daughter-in-law, and boldly carving her identity in the household.

The 60-page e-zine is styled like a women’s glossy and is a satirical commentary on women’s content that is focused on projecting unreal lifestyles. Draupadi’s vastraharan becomes an article about harassment and rape.

Refreshingly, Hardikar is not afraid about being offensive. “I believe that if you’re creating something, it should either appeal or disgust. There has to be some reaction. If controversial topics offend, it provokes people to think,” says the Visual Communication  graduate from the Srishti Institute of Art, Design and Technology in Bengaluru. After all, isn’t the point of art to create discomfort?

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