India is well known all over the world for its blockbuster Bollywood movies,

and for its mouth watering cuisine like basmati rice and butter chicken, not to

mention its burgeoning international influence on culture and politics. But not many

people know anything beyond that, and it’s a shame, considering its unique

diversity and countless cultural treasures that have yet to be recognized by the

outside world. The painting I created is an attempt to bridge that gap and give a

glimpse into India’s multicultural heritage. It doesn’t, by any means, encompass the

entirety of its diversity nor uniqueness, but it was an endeavor which I hope

succeeds in showing a glimpse of it.

The woman in the center of the painting is a depiction of Bharat Mata,

which is a personification of India in the form of a Hindu goddess. To make her

more appealing to all religious groups (as she is the subject of the painting), I

decided to depict her without a mukuta, or the headdress that Hindu gods and

goddesses are typically shown wearing, and also with simpler attire. But to identify

her as a Hindu goddess, she wears a red and white saree, similar to the way the

goddess of fortune, Lakshmi, usually wears hers. In addition, she also holds a lotus

in her hand, which Lakshmi also holds in her hand as well. The lotus is also a nod

to Buddhism, which originated in the Indian subcontinent, and also symbolizes

purity and spiritual awakening.

Bharat Mata also wears silver bangles known as karas, which symbolize an

undying commitment to god, and a holster, containing a curved knife known as the
kirpan, which signifies honor and compassion, and both of them are nods to

Sikhism. She lovingly caresses a deer-like creature known as the blackbuck, which

is the state animal of Andhra Pradesh. Overhead, a banyan tree, which is the

national tree of India, stands over a small bell-shaped object, known as the xorai, a

traditional symbol of Assam and highly regarded by the Assamese. The xorai is also

covered with a cloth with traditional Assamese embroidery, and that is a nod to

Assam’s textile arts.

In addition, the moon which shines above everyone and everything is actually

reminiscent of the Islamic star and crescent that is so often used to represent the

religion. Next to Bharat Mata, are these tiny and delicate flowers known as Jarul or

the “pride of India”, which is the state flower of Maharashtra. Beyond the hills, a

river flows in the moonlight, a river known as Ganges, which is sacred to Hinduism.

And to top it off, the border in which the painting is contained is reminiscent of

the Warli paintings. The Wari are one of countless tribal communities, and they are

known for their beautiful paintings which usually contain symbol figures in

geometric shapes engaging in everyday activities. All of my people in the Warli

border are holding hands and I think that contains a powerful message that ties

the whole painting together, because regardless of our differences, Indians are

Indians because of their shared history and the love they have for each other. That

is especially true now, as India struggles with conflicts regarding identity. But

perhaps we should find unity in diversity, and focus on the things that connect us
all, like love, friendship and family. That is what I think truly makes India what it

is then and now.