CELEBRATING

IMPERFECTIONS

Charvi Shrimali
This project would not have been possible without the kind
support and help of many individuals. I would like to extend
my sincere thanks to all of them.

Firstly, I would like to thank my project guide, Manasee Jog,

for her constant guidance, support and patience.

I am grateful for my family and friends, who gave with the

beautiful memories that are shared in this project.

I would also like to thank my grandparents, for making sure I

was aware of my vernacular before I could even understand
and appreciate it.

Thanks to my colleagues for their helpful feedback and

innumerable pep talks.

Finally, I would like to acknowledge Srishti Institute of Art,

Design and Technology for providing me this opportunity.
This book explores my relationship with
imperfect objects.

Hope it reminds you of something or

someone, and brings a smile to your face.
Dolphy the Dolphin
It’s funny how we name our little friends.
They often cross the line between endearment
and embarassment.
Some are highly creative others are downright stupid.

I would often forget their names and took the

liberty to form new ones
every time we would play together.

But not hers.

She had two names.
One creative, one stupid.
Both I could never forget
just like the day she swam into my life.

She joined me when a little later

than my other soft buddies.

It wasn’t a very special day,

she wasn’t a special gift
for a special ocassion.

But as soon as she came,

I knew she was someone special.
Evey night, Papa called her Nefertiti. I would never admit,
Every night, I defended my poor choice of name, Dolphy. but I liked the other name more.
We would settle it with goodnight kisses.
She’s not all fluffy, puffy anymore.
You can’t make out her face,
but she’s still there on the bed,
and doesn’t sleep without
those goodnight kisses.
The Black Thread
 My grandmother has always been religious,
but didn’t force it upon us.
But somehow, I couldn’t say no to this.

I don’t know why she gave it to me.

Probably because I was going away.
I tired to hide it.
Bracelets I don’t wear, look weird on my wrist.
So maybe a watch.
But that was another tedious task.

So I gave up.
Couldn’t hide it anymore.
Stopped caring and started accepting.
From time to time,
the desire to hide comes back.
I fear the judgement that comes along with
being associated with it.

But nothing is greater than the heartfelt

blessing of Maa.
Between you and me,
I like it the way it is.
The Block-print Blanket
I come from a land of prints and patterns.

Everything is covered in
beautiful colours,
intricate details,
both inside and out.
But when I moved to another land,
I was surprised to see the contrast.

The only print in my new room was

my warm blanket from back home.
Over time,
it formed a big tear.

The cotton that gives it

the power to warm up,
started to fall out.

It wasn’t thick and heavy,

like how it used to be.
But I know,
that no other blanket would fill me up
with warmth like this one.

Every night,
I sleep wrapped in my home.
The Grey T-shirt
Being a little sister has a lot of perks.

You always know cooler things before your friends,

you always have someone to drive you around,
and if you know how to use the “puppy dog face”,
you can have ice-cream whenever you want.

It’s like having a third parent and best friend,

combined into one.
Another perk is that
you can always extend your wardrobe
without stepping out of the home.

So out of the sea of blues

and more blues,
I found a grey gem
in my brother’s cupboard.
It was old and oversized,
and over time it
faded,
stained,
developed holes,
and stitches came off.

It doesn’t look like how it

originally did anymore.
But every time I wear it,
I feel like the little sister,
being hugged by her
elder brother.