Thursday, January 3, 2013

Future Imperfect - Pink Dawn

Headline Prompt:  Future Imperfect: What is different about your life now than what you once expected it to be?  How is the way it turned out perfect or imperfect.  If your future turns out differently than you imagined in the first prompt, could it still be perfect?
Color Prompt: Yellow
Quote Prompt: "Existence really is an imperfect tense that never becomes a present."  Friedrich Nietsche

When I think of this prompt the first thing that comes to mind is the Life of a Woman. I am unable to relate to nothing else than what's happening right now in my country; there is no better explanation! 

Our country praises, upholds, respects and reveres all the Goddesses in the name of Lakshmi, Saraswathi, Parvathi and the rest of them as Goddess of Wealth, Wisdom and Strength. I have always heard people ridicule their own religion and the aspects of it without ever understanding what it all actually meant. The number of gods and goddesses depict the different aspects or symbols for a better understanding of the common man of the ancient times. If you observe closely into the above said Goddess aspect one can understand that it just points out the role of each and every woman in the household. A lady who manages the finance of her home and sensibly saves for the future acts as Lakshmi, a woman wise enough to bring the family together and raise her children with the right values and morals acts as Saraswathi and a woman even against all odds manages to hold the family and lend strength to them takes up the role of Parvathi or Shakti.  It is all a concept for the layman and woman to understand the power and strength that each one held. (Anyways women are expected to be super humans!!!!) All this just remained bound in the scriptures and though every household respected and revered the well decorated, bejeweled photos of the goddess...they forgot to do the same with the women in the household. The atrocities against women is the result of such an upbringing. Not only do the men treat women as mere house keepers but also pass it on to their sons to do the same if they need to have an edge or control on the other. They also ingrain it in their daughters that they are the weaker section and they ultimate duty is to get married, raise kids, look after the household and die dutifully. To think of oneself is the greatest sin a woman could engage in.(This, I would mention, does not happen in every home in India!) Even women adhere to it closely (there are exceptions though!) and girls are killed in the womb (maybe many women have no say to their own child but there are many who perform it willingly)

I don't say this happens in each and every home in India but it does happen. I was born into an extremely lucky family where my parents never discriminated between my brother and I. We are great companions and we respect one another's views. My opinion was always sought whenever there was an important issue in the family affairs. I always feel wanted and important in my family. I am raising a daughter and we always make her feel the same. I could also vouch for many of my friends and their families.

Our country is going through a difficult 'imperfect' phase...our women need to stand together and opine. I am worried about it's future! It's not 'Somebody else's' matter...tomorrow it could be our own. We need to raise beautiful human beings not smart sons and timid daughters. Any atrocity against any woman should be dealt with in a much more stricter and stringent manner. Hasty stay put to all the culprits and offenders with rigid rules that has no loopholes for them to escape is a MUST!!! We are a Democracy and it is We, the people, who need to bring about a change and make the Govt to execute it. We vote so that our country reaches it's heights not the depths! All the same I am glad to see so many of our brothers joining in and fighting for the common cause in Delhi and the rest of India. It shows that all is not lost and we still have our menfolk who stride a coherant and tolerant path.

Joanne, Jessica, Carolyn and Marcia...from a subjective prompt, it has become a largely objective one but I just can't help it! Hope you don't mind :)

 Acrylics - 18x24 inches
 
 Close up

Side view

Pink Dawn : Pink represents all that is feminine, beautiful, romantic, intuitive, compassion, unconditional love and nurturing. Dawn as you know is the day break and here it means the ray of hope.

Plumeria/Frangipani has two aspects - a negative and positive.

Plumeria represents the grave and the ghost or the death and the funeral which is the assault she always has to endure.

The positive aspect is the birth, life, creation and recreation, dedication and devotion and above all a status of all those who struggle, suffer, succumb and yet rise to the occasion and try to tread the path of determination and life by not just existing but by living it.

The lady in here just encompasses all these aspects. The hues represent the same and the glint in her eyes is the hope and faith to live her life with all her might. The smile is the hope afloat amid her struggles even when her future is imperfectly perfect!

I had submitted Pink Dawn to Pink Polo Art which was basically for cancer awareness organized by Tashkeel Hub.

Linking it to FFF Challenge 7 in Artists in Blogland and Paint Party Friday.


Disclaimer : These are my very own personal views and observations. I do not subscribe to any political views and is never intended to hurt or harm the views of the general public. I also wish to mention that every man is not a demon and every woman is not an angel and every home in India does not witness offense or crime against women. This is just an  unleashing of my pent up feelings for Amanats/Daminis/Nirbhayas and what is happening to the human race in general and my country in particular.  This is just 'my voice' being in a Democracy and please ignore it if you don't agree to it.


Please do not use/reproduce the content (words as well as images) without the written consent of the author.


28 comments:

Arnoldo L. Romero, MLA said...

This is a very powerful post and piece of art, Deepa. As the father of two girls, I can certainly agree with the concept of gender equality. I've raised them to be strong and independent, yet loving and caring, just like my wife and mother are. However, even in the USA, some members of society want them to be mere caretakers. Have a blessed new year.

Saru Singhal said...

Few of us are lucky to have families where women is respected but we all know how the general perception works.

Beautiful paintings, I love the colors and the name, 'Pink Dawn.'

Happy New Year to you and to your family!

Sarmistha said...

very apt representation ..beautifully penned and portrait .

pauline said...

Deepa, this writing is filled with passion... I am SO happy to hear you have been raised by loving parents who treated you fairly (along with your brother) and that you are raising your girls the same way. We hear about what has been happening in India (on the news) and we can only hope that people come together and create CHANGE where it is needed. Thank you for writing such an interesting post. Oh, and your painting is FANTASTIC. i love the deep colours... xox

Tracy said...

Beautiful painting and beautifully expressed frustration.

Aparna said...

I absolutely agree with all your sensible, matured thoughts put on for this post about the happenings in India. I just love the painting too. I always want to appreciate your thoughts put on for the work you do here :). Lovely thoughts and wonderful art, Deepa.

Anne Manda said...

Beautiful art and beautiful, thoughtful post on a very important issue! <3

Netty said...

Thank you for sharing your thoughts on these deeply frustrating matters and sincerely hope things improve for everyones benefit.
Loving your beautiful painting. Happy PPF, Annette x

Tracey FK said...

I absolutely love the new fresh look on the blog... it shows off your wonderful work off beautifully... and my thoughts are with what your country has been going through... we have been watching with horror... I hope this all brings about some positive change...xx

Ivy said...

Pink Dawn is so very beautiful and soulful, thanks for posting Her! Happy PPF!

Gloria j Zucaro said...

It is so important to speak out. You Pink Dawn is a beautiful painting. Thank you for sharing some of your culture and history.

GlorV1 said...

Very thoughtful post Deepa.::hugs::
As for your painting, just as thoughtful and very awesome. Thank you. Happy New Year!

K J D said...

I love your beautiful artwork....

I have been shocked and saddened by what has happened.... I sincerely hope that you have the changes you wish for.

Karen x

Faye said...

Such a powerful, heartfelt post, Deepa. Your painting is beautiful and depicts well the emotions you are expressing. I have recently done a study on what we Christians call: The Golden Rule. I found that in every major religion in the world there is a similar thought: Do to others as you wish they would do to you. If all the people of the world would do that, there would be no more wars, and all men and all women would be treated fairly. Thank you for starting our new year out with something so important to think about.

carlarey said...

You are a voice of reason and hope, and as long as there are women in the world like you, and men who are influenced by them, we can make the world a better place.

Linda Kunsman said...

I so agree with your thoughts so poignantly said in this post. My heart grieves for the women everywhere who must endure some harsh traditions within their cultures. I can only pray for change. Thank you for sharing. Your portrait is so beautiful. Happy PPF and FF & F.

Mary C. Nasser said...

Wonderfully thoughtful post and magnificent portrait!
Love the new look of your blog, too!
♥♥♥
Happy PPF!!
Mary
Mixed-Media Map Art

Marja's Stamp Addiction en Marja's Creativity said...

Thanks for sharing your thoughts and this portrait is marvelous work.
lovely greet and nice weekend
Marja
[marjascreativity]

Sri Valli said...

Lovely!!

Unknown said...

This is a beautiful painting! The colours are so harmonious, it's a pleasure to look at!

Woman'n'Beyond said...

Your mastery over both pen and crayon, shows your versatility. I will wait for the pink dawn!

R Niranjan Das said...

Magnificent work of art!

www.rajniranjandas.blogspot.in

ardy said...

so beautiful...

Unknown said...

Mi piacciono i tuoi colori vibranti , il rosa e il verde profondo dietro...bellissimo!
Happy PPF!
Bellalullo

matheikal said...

Hey, there's lovely art here which people should take note of.

Full many a flower is born to blush unseen ... as Blake said. Great.

the little princess said...

loved this one! the eyes are so dreamy...love the lost look on her face...

Shari said...

Very passionate post, I enjoyed reading it and agree with you. Thanks for having the courage to speak out. You set a great example to women everywhere. Love your painting. It is very beautiful.

Unknown said...

This is a beautiful piece of art and a passionate post. Of course, views are never universal, but it is right of you to speak out strongly against an institutional view that enabled the rape and death of that poor woman. I wondered how your art would reflect the current atmosphere, and was glad to see this post. Really well done.