Artistic highlighting of womanhood

Hyderabad-based artists Nirmala Biluka, Gurram Mallesham and Abdul Rehman left some imprints at Hyderabad Literature Festival, with their works. All the three displayed womanhood and in their own way. Artist Nirmala Biluka’s work titled ‘Where the Cow is Safer Than a Woman’ was an act which spoke about the safety of women and how this is neglected. Nirmala says, “The present performance is an attempt to raise awareness on the growing violence, oppression and culture of rape on women.

On one side as women achievers make their mark in various fields, on the otherthe prevalence of gender inequality is still a common phenomenon in our society. As we witness a continuous rise in aggression towards the marginalised in terms of gender, caste and class, there is an urgent need to address these issues through art forms that are interdisciplinary in nature.”

However, Nirmala’s performance involves various acts that are inspired from everyday domestic lives of an ordinary woman. As the artist stands with a masked cow face within a circular form made with kitchen objects placed around her, the acts question the stereotypical roles that are expected of women in today’s society. Along with these confines, various modes of oppression and violence are highlighted through the acts and recital of poems written by significant feminist poets.
The second work which attracted was ‘Blooming Flower’ by artist Gurram Mallesham. He used some metal trunk boxes, books and readymade toys etc. He showed women empowerment and feminism.
The figure of a woman here, stands tall on a skull out of the trunk boxes arranged as a blooming flower. Gurram Mallesham says, “The skull is symbolic of patriarchy and the female figure formed with books represents empowerment that can be achieved through acquiring knowledge and education.

The trunk boxes filled with objects related to femininity are used to highlight the delicate, beautiful and sensitive nature of a woman along with her strength. As she unlocks each box, memories and experiences come out of them as blooming flowers that spread fragrance and beauty around herself. The arrangement of the boxes in an inverted triangle shape yet again emphasizes the female form. Overall the art installation celebrates the spirit of womanhood.”

Artist Abdul Rehman, work titled,‘Do Not Pluck the Buds’ was a paper sculpture, which was done by the readymade toy and threads installation, this represents female infanticide.The installation created out of handmade paper buds and flowers are hanged from above to represent the beauty of the female child. The art work reflects on the alarming cases of female infanticide and the social stigma attached to the birth of a girl child in Indian Society. However, the artwork urges the viewers to see the beauty of life irrespective of gender and pleads to let it grow.