The last time we’d spoken to her, it was Tara’s series of illustrations called “I am no man” that had almost made us time travel back to our history class.

The series aimed to give female warriors the recognition they deserve, and this is what the 17-year-old visual artist had to say about it, “It is not just History textbooks but everything we commemorate our heroes with. Statues and roads are named after the men, and we also make movies and TV shows on them. So yeah, there’s a general lack of female presence in the way we record and remember our history”.

It’s been two years since, and Tara, who’s currently pursuing a bachelor’s degree from School Of Visual Arts, New York, has illustrated many more interesting and thought-provoking series. Source of our knowledge being her colourful and rather intense Instagram feed!

“Your skin colour only means something if you want it to. And all that matters is what you think of it.” This is what she had to say about the illustrations she made on ‘Skin Shade Card’. And another, about which you’ll learn more upon digging through our conversation, is where she reflects on the ‘History of Indian Feminism’.

The only thing that makes Tara feel insecure is the thought of lagging behind her peers, but quickly getting over it, she tells us about her dreams, “I wish to own a bookshop one day, and also a museum dedicated to women’s art through the ages in India”. 

Well, need we tell you more? We think not. And so, here’s Tara talking about her art and a lot more:

What is your biggest takeaway from Vedic feminism?

The biggest thing I found when I was researching Vedic era feminism, in context of the philosophy (I obviously can’t vouch for how much of it translated into day to day life), was how much of a construct the idea of “gender” was. If the world is an illusion and all that matters is the soul, what does it say about concepts like gender that we use to define ourselves?

I also recently learned (through someone commenting on my Instagram post) that a lot of the feminist philosophy and thought in the Vedic era was appropriated from indigenous beliefs. This is not something I included in my illustrations and just goes to show how important it is to think of things in terms of intersectionality and not simply have a monolithic view of feminism.

Do you have a role model from the ‘History of Indian Feminism’?

Tarabai Shinde. I think it’s very important to think about a movement and to write about it in a way that is thoughtful, impactful and accessible.

Tarabai was also a founding member of Satyashodhak Samar and was educated in Marathi, Sanskrit and English by her radical father #feminism #india #history #feministhistory #feminisminindia #indianfeminism #desifeminism #ancientfeminism #art #illustration

146 Likes, 3 Comments – Tara Anand (@taraanandart) on Instagram: “Tarabai was also a founding member of Satyashodhak Samar and was educated in Marathi, Sanskrit and…”

How do you manifest your ‘Shakti’?

Through my art!

Which would be that incident of the triumph of patriarchy in Indian History that shook you to the core?

Not so much an incident but when I started recognizing how much internalised misogyny the educated, well-off women in my life were exhibiting during the #metoo movement. A lot of their reactions came from a place of privilege and complacency in the existing patriarchal state of things.

Liberal western thoughts that according to you compliment or merge with Vedic times’?

A lot of liberal western thought is heavily influenced by eastern philosophy so it just depends on how you look at it. Regardless, it’s best to think of the context always while trying to apply a philosophy because every situation is different.

2 // #feminism #india #history #feministhistory #feminisminindia #indianfeminism #desifeminism #ancientfeminism #art #illustration

237 Likes, 6 Comments – Tara Anand (@taraanandart) on Instagram: “2 // #feminism #india #history #feministhistory #feminisminindia #indianfeminism #desifeminism…”

While women are leading and fighting on front lines, they are still not eligible for all army positions. Your comment?

I think it’s awful. Equal opportunities should be available to men and women and this comes from a much larger problem of viewing women as physically weaker, always. If our culture developed to encourage physical strength and fitness in women by promoting things like sports and allowing women to spend time outdoors, we would begin to address what I believe to be the root of this issue!

How do you value ‘right to vote’? And do you feel that even though women have that right on the constitution front, it still gets suppressed at home level?

I think, firstly, a lot of people aren’t even aware of rights that they have, even on paper. Secondly, Indian society is in the strange position where it trumps civic rights. Even if you have the right to do something, it doesn’t mean society can’t ostracise you for doing it. Having rights isn’t enough to empower someone; we have to have a much more inclusive and tolerant society that gives people the kind of environment in which they feel safe enough to exercise their rights.

You did a series of illustrations on Greek Goddesses. One Greek goddess you would personify?

I like to say Athena, but I think I’m flattering myself.

And another series of yours was on ‘skin shade card’. Would you share with us any experience of getting reduced to the Pantone shade card?

One of the experiences in the series is mine. The one where the taxi driver thought he was being nice by saying I didn’t look South Indian because of my skin colour.

What are your views on body positivity as an illustrator?

I think body positivity is amazing because it allows you to define yourself. It helps you to realise that beauty is a flexible concept and indeed, just a concept.

SHADE CARD #4 (see post 1 for info on the project!) Art by me, poem by @anoushkaagrawal . Historic train stations, art galleries, beaches that stretched for a thousand miles. She loved everything about her city – its crowd, its chaos, the warm smiles She was greeted with each time she entered her favorite café. She loved its people – She loved how liberated they were; fearless, friendly, always in a hurry and still So alive. She hailed a taxi, stepped in, and was about to become one with the blur Of trucks and cars and motorbikes on the street, when a voice stirred Her back into reality. “Are you from Bombay?” the taxi driver asked, Looking at the girl through the rearview mirror; the bottom half of his dark face masked With a thick moustache. The girl nodded yes, before adding, “But originally, I’m from South India.” The driver’s eyes widened as he tore them away from the road to look at her. As the car Slowed down in front of a traffic signal, he continued, “I am from the South as well, But I can’t believe you are too! I definitely couldn’t tell; With your light complexion, I assumed you’re from the North or the West of India. It’s good That you don’t look like you’re from the South! You should Be happy,” The driver said, touching his face as he looked at his own reflection in the rearview mirror, And sighing. Confused, the girl turned her Face back towards the window, and watched her city speed by. Her city, with its palm trees and bright lights. The Mumbai That allowed all voices to be heard, big or small. The Mumbai that was an amalgamation of all things Indian; That allowed all voices to be heard; made every opinion Matter. The city that brought together cultures from every corner of the country, The city that was supposed to accept all religions, all ethnicities, all kinds of people. The city that didn’t discriminate; the city that was happy. . #art #complexion #racism #colourism #india #intersectional #art #pantone #racism #issues #socialart #socialissues #art #illustration #girl #portrait #artist #artwork #artivism #activism #indian #india #desi #southasian #bombay @vagagram @indiaculturalhub

135 Likes, 1 Comments – Tara Anand (@taraanandart) on Instagram: “SHADE CARD #4 (see post 1 for info on the project!) Art by me, poem by @anoushkaagrawal . Historic…”

And before we wrap up, let’s get you to fill in some blanks on another of your series [“______” I am like other girls]:

One good habit:

I read and I am like other girls.

Check out this cool project my roommate and I are running! Submit! Follow @iamlikeothergirls . . . . . . #IAMLIKEOTHERGIRLS #art #illustration #feministart #women #femaleempowerment #growth #cute #radicalselflove #feministmedia #instagood #nyc #newyork #ny #selfcultivation #revolution #change #vibes #mood #wholesome #experimental #supportus #zine #project #gender #stopgeneralizing #lovewomen #unite #fight #power

559 Likes, 21 Comments – Tara Anand (@taraanandart) on Instagram: “Check out this cool project my roommate and I are running! Submit! Follow @iamlikeothergirls . . ….”

One bad habit:

I check my phone too often and I am like other girls.

One liking:

I love languages and I am like other girls.

” I sing in the shower and I am like other girls ” – Eli, 18, New Jersey Art by @emilytheoverlord

528 Likes, 2 Comments – I Am Like Other Girls (@iamlikeothergirls) on Instagram: “” I sing in the shower and I am like other girls ” – Eli, 18, New Jersey Art by @emilytheoverlord”

One rule you break:

I’m really boring I don’t think I break any major rules.

Well but that, too, could be true for many. Ha-ha.

First published on Mar 9, 2018.