India

Konkani Artist Raising Questions On ‘Purity Of Women During Periods’ Using Cow Dung Art

Art knows no boundaries, the kind of references used by artists are unique but not always digestible by the masses. Konkani artist Mayuri Chari has come up with a fairly unique way of raising questions at the societal norms for women when they are on their periods. The Konkani artist at the India Art Fair presented her harmless-looking cow dung art. Which from a distance looks like just another cow dung cake pasted to wall for drying up. A closer look at the same cow dung cake will make you realize that it is stylized in the shape of female genitalia.

The cow dung art raises questions

The rows of vaginas made out of cow dung serve as a protest against the dubious views surrounding menstruation. She challenges the custom of evicting women from their houses during menstruation on the grounds that they are “impure,” despite the fact that using cow dung for household and religious purposes is accepted as “pure,” through her artwork.

“During their period, women are banished to a corner of the house for four days. They can’t touch anything or anyone. They are considered impure. On the other hand, cow dung is used for purification of the home and a cow is worshipped while a human is rejected for being impure,” Chari told PTI.

Also Read: Kejriwal’s Firm Stand: Rejects BJP Offer, Vows Never to Join Despite Pressure Amid Crime Branch Summons and ED Plea

Chari’s art hits out at women-related stereotypes

The adage “a woman is not born, she is created” has inspired Chari’s art, which explores gender and body stereotypes.  Chari’s corner also has enormous quilt covers and little outfits with colorful threads sewn in the bodies of women in their natural shapes, reclaiming the Portuguese history of trousseau stitching that her family adopted after colonization. All of this is a celebration of female that is unrestricted by conventional notions of beauty.

“I am celebrating my body. It’s been our mentality in India that only slim women with fair skin are beautiful. I am rejecting that idea. Women with larger bodies are termed fat, but they are also so beautiful. I am celebrating that in my work,” Chari said.

Multi-talented artist

“I am working on women’s issues and body politics. And I use certain statements in my work, I also write poems. I think women are not born, they are created by society. How to get up, how to sit, it’s all decided by society. Women are shaped by this. Rules are imposed on them, you are a woman and this is how you have to live and this is what you have to do,” she said.

The Mumbai-based artist added that women are expected to learn certain traits so their mothers-in law don’t complain. “I was also told ‘your mother-in-law would complain what did your mother teach you’. This is what my mother taught me,” Chair added, pointing towards her embroidered work.

Srishti Verma

Recent Posts

PM Modi Meets Bhutan PM Tobgay At BIMSTEC Summit; Highlights Strong Bilateral Ties & Regional Cooperation

PM Narendra Modi met Bhutanese PM Tshering Tobgay on the sidelines of the 6th BIMSTEC…

6 hours ago

Jamia Students Back Waqf Amendment Bill; Call It A Step Toward Empowerment

The student group 'Shaher-E-Arzoo' expressed firm support for the Waqf Amendment Bill, calling it a…

8 hours ago

India’s Exports To The US Face Limited Impact From Tariff Hike: SBI Report

The 27% tariff hike by US President Donald Trump on Indian goods will have only…

8 hours ago

Waqf Freed From Mafia Control, New Era Of Development Begins For Muslims: MRM

Following the passage of the Waqf Amendment Bill 2024 in both Houses of Parliament, celebrations…

9 hours ago

India’s Forex Reserves Surge To $665.4 Billion; Rupee Strengthens As Trade Deficit Narrows

India’s forex reserves jumped $6.6 billion to a five-month high of $665.4 billion for the…

10 hours ago

Laxmi Singh Leads Gautam Buddha Nagar Police To Historic No 1 Rank In IGRS Across All Stations

Gautam Buddha Nagar Police, led by CP Laxmi Singh, achieved a historic feat with all…

11 hours ago