#indian artist

Say My Name Part 1…a new series

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“Naagin”

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“Mandodari”

Part 7 of ‘Desi Remix’ [Remix of Young Spartans by Edgar Degas]

Queen Mandodari was the wife of king Ravana, the antagonist from the Hindu epic, Ramayana. Ravana was a man of many flaws, but despite all of them, Mandodari was the type of women to always lead her husband towards righteousness. When Ravana kidnaps Sita, wife of Lord Rama, she advises him to return Sita back to Rama. In a fit of rage, Ravana threatens to kill Sita unless she marries him. Just as he is about to raise his weapon, Mandodari interferes, refusing to let him cause Sita any harm. She saves Sita’s life and explains the severity of Ravana’s actions by telling him that the murder of a woman is a heinous sin.

Persistent in doing what’s right, when all attempts at returning Sita peacefully fail, she’s the last person to make a final attempt at dissuading her husband from war. Despite her efforts not always being fruitful, it is the thought that counts.

As writer Dhanalakshmi Ayyer puts it:

“Her story is a reminder that the universal denigration of a group, based on the behavior of a few, cannot cloud the greatness of the individual. Mandodari defies the stereotype of this racism. She is simple, unswerving, and self-effacing, driven by the light of knowledge which gives meaning to solid materialism in an age that is shrouded by impulse, passion, and desire. She is the instrument that awakens the mind and counsels reason when irrationality becomes the core being.“

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“Savitri” 

[Part 4 of the “Desi Remix” series // Remix of “The Kiss” by Gustav Klimt] 

Savitri is so beautiful & pure, she intimidates all the men around her. 

When it comes time for her to get married, no one asks for her hand, so she sets out to find her husband on her own. She goes on a pilgrimage & eventually finds Satyavan, the son of a blind king living in exile in the forest. 

Although perfect in many ways, Satyavan was destined to die within a year. However, knowing this and despite many advising her against choosing Satyavan, she decides to marry him anyways. 

The day Satyavan is predicted to die, Savitri accompanies him into the forest. While cutting wood, Satyavan suddenly becomes weak and falls into Savitri’s lap. Yama, the god of death, comes to take Satyavan’s soul but Savitri chases after him as he carries her husband’s soul away. When he tries to convince her to leave, instead she fires back with her wit. Yama, impressed by her speech, praises her and offers her any wish except the life of Satyavan. Thinking carefully, she first asks for her father-in-law’s sight to return, then a 100 children for her father, and finally a 100 children for her and Satyavan. Her last wish leaves Yama with a dilemma, as it would require Satyavan to be alive. However, impressed by Savitri’s dedication & determination, he changes his mind and decides to grant her any wish, including Satyavan’s life. She instantly asks for his life back & Yama blesses Savitri’s life with eternal happiness.  

As with all the women of this series, Savitri is another example of beauty beyond the physical. Her words have their own strength & she proves that there is power in action. She defies all “damsel in distress” storylines of mythology & ironically turns them upside down to stand up for a man. If “herstory” exists, it’s because of women like this.