Indian Women Find Identity in Art: Win the Book!

One in every six women in the world lives in India. But injustice towards Indian women extends far beyond just a concept of traditional patriarchal rule – as Westerners, we have all heard the horrifying cases of dowry murders and female infanticide. It seems India as a whole can be viewed as a land of contrasts: Images of opulent palaces are juxtaposed against those of overpopulated slums. The women of India are similarly a study in opposites. The current president of India, Pratibha Patil, is a woman. Yet stifling male oppression can still be observed in the rules and customs of everyday life.

However, photojournalist Stephen P. Huyler’s book, Daughters of India: Art and Identity, demonstrates that even within this environment, creativity can not only be expressed but actually flourish. Twenty diverse Indian women are profiled, and their compelling stories accompanied by 250 full-color, lush photographs. One copy of this book will be given away–details below.

“It is a gross error to identify Indian women as victims,” Huyler says in an interview. “They are not! They are strong, resilient, self-reliant, and deeply determined to make changes for themselves and for the future.”

The women profiled range from traditional to contemporary. Gani Devi wields her power in her home as she plans a wedding: “It is my duty to get all my children married. Only then can I rest. So much effort goes into finding the right bride, to make sure that all will be well.” But Achamma is competing in an industry as an award-winning computer programmer: “I want to give other women the chance to benefit from my mistakes and to have a better chance in this male-dominated business world.”

It is interesting, Huyler notes, that the word for both “strength” and “power” in most Indian languages is shakti, a term synonymous with the word for “Goddess.” In fact, in Indian society, several hundred million Hindus worship the Divine Feminine as a primary focus of their daily devotion–once again illuminating this study in contrasts.

I’d like to briefly highlight the chapter featuring an older woman named Bidulata. In Bidulata’s region of India (the Puri District, Orissa), the Goddess Lakshmi is invited into one’s home as a guest in a yearly ritual. Lakshmi is the goddess of abundance and prosperity, and the women transform their homes into temples, an art form Bidulata is particularly adept at. Elaborate murals are constructed and even small footsteps are painted on the floors to guide Lakshmi’s feet.

Bidulata–known as “Maushi” (Auntie)–is a widow. In traditional India, a woman bows out of active life when her husband dies. Her household power is given to her daughters-in-law and her possessions given away. However, Maushi is truly holding her own as she has become a popular teacher, valued by family and neighbors. Progress is being made.

Portions of the profits from Daughters of India are being donated to support seven organizations that empower women. These include the Self Employed Women’s Association, Folk Arts Rajasthan and the Global Fund for Women. In addition, one copy of this book will be given away to a Care2.com community member chosen at random. A $65 value, you need only to comment on this post to enter to win. Please make a comment to the following question: When has adversity brought out your best qualities? The winner will be announced Feb. 6.

Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of
Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.

Veronica P.

10:11AM PST on Feb 6, 2009

And the winner is.....
Evelyn Cardoz! Thanks to everyone fr sharing their stories!

send a green star

Diane S.

8:16AM PST on Jan 26, 2009

I find all of your comments inspiring, and they speak to the power of women. Keep the comments and inspiration coming!

Karen C.

11:24PM PST on Jan 25, 2009

The year I finally decided to divorce my abusive husband seem to be a year of everything falling apart. My drug-addicted youngest daughter lost all four of her grandchildren, one of which helped raise. I am no longer able to see any of them. I could not take them because I was living with another daughter and her family. I had no income, no home, no recourse. Those babies were adopted. Two now live in a different state. In that same year, all of my possessions but my clothes were stolen from storage. It was truly a year that tested my faith, but my faith won. I lost many things, but not my love for God and not my hope in mankind.

Carolyn B.

3:58AM PST on Jan 24, 2009

What wonderful responses and stories! I find that adversity really does make us stronger because it shows us what we are really capable of. At the same time, we realize that we really can withstand what life throws at us without losing our empathy and compassion -- we learn to allow ourselves to feel others' pain and know that we can bend enough to do that without breaking. The other gift of adversity in my life has been its ability to shake up my worldview. At first it seems as if the ground underneath me has disappeared and I'm in a panicky freefall, but then I realize that there never was any real ground beneath me anyway -- we really have little control over most things in our lives -- and real strength comes from within and our ability to broaden our horizon and see new ways of approaching our view of ourselves and how we live our lives.
Thank you for sharing your experience with this wonderful book, Diane!

Genya B.

12:32PM PST on Jan 22, 2009

I teach belly dance, it has not always been easy, there is still a lot of judgement based on brainwashed modern attitudes. The dance is ancient. My main point is, I take money from teaching and put it towards sending girls to school in Afghanistan, the Taliban has hurt the girls, burned them, I saw the girls' determination, even while in such pain, for this I am more inspired to keep rising above the ignorance, keep on giving this beautiful gift of schooling to girls in other places, and of dance to women in my own community who are able to receive it for themselves while also learning about other
cultures through their dances! I also study dances from
India, Africa, in fact as many cultural dances as possible,
if they tell their people they cannot dance, we can keep it alive. We Dance Because We Are Free, We Are Free Because We Dance!!! Says me!!!!

Tammy P.

9:05AM PST on Jan 22, 2009

Living in NYC was true adversity for me. Just the daily commute by subway and bus was exhausting. Being constantly surrounded by throngs of people and all their issues can be very draining and you see weird stuff on the subways. I was most aghast at the abuse I saw on those trains; verbal, racial attacks, thugs bullying younger kids, all sorts of daily, accepted, negative behavior, and no one ever stands up to it. So many people, all to afraid to act or so calused as to not even notice. I found that by speaking up for those who couldn't I was able to not feel victimized myself. "Not on my watch" became my motto. People warned me not to get involved, but everytime I saw that type of stuff going on I felt vicitimized and by standing up and respectfully making my voice heard, I felt empowered. I might not have taken on this attitude of enpowerment if I hadn't been so stressed out by the environment I was in. I was also ready to hold my ground if it came down to it and knowing I had the power to stand up, and take action if necessary, for what I believed in gave me strength.

Susan L.

9:04AM PST on Jan 22, 2009

Sometimes it is we women ourselves who create obstacles and adversity for each other. Mothers, sisters, aunts and peers.

My mother, wife of an evangelical minister, had everchanging rules (in the name of God) which resulted in constant no-win situations in which she had all the power and we were always wrong. I chose my first husband along those same lines until at one point, after 12 years of marriage and two children of my own, I had a flash of crystal clear insight and understanding that 1: The power of LOVE ( God/All That Is/The Universe) did not make junk and 2: Nobody, not even me, could be as unlovable as I felt around my mother and husband.

At that moment I was free! I had ME and I did not know exactly who or what that 'me' was, but I knew that I was OK, just like I was. This knowledge of my own power has been the touchstone of my Path ever since.

Mother and I reconciled in much love before she passed away about 3 years ago understanding, no longer a child but as adult, how her own life had been shaped by her family and obstacles and by the choices she was able to make for herself.

I have made my mistakes with my own daughter and I simply hope that I've been able to pass on, if nothing else, the knowledge of how unique and wonderful she is and what a gift to the planet.

I have dedicated my life to helping others "get" it for themselves.

Cindy D.

5:51AM PST on Jan 22, 2009

Part 2

heart. It is your truest self....and then act with your head....it will tell you what to do. On my desk I keep a smiling-faced picture of a little girl taken on the last day of my last year of teaching. She heard these lessons, took courage, and freed herself of sexual abuse which had been perpetrated by the family's "favorite" uncle who had "imprisoned" her since she was four years old, for six years! She had also protected her little sister from him during this time. Her last-day smile reflected the fact that she was now "free" and he was then in prison. With her courage, she also left me with very successful tools to go forward in her life.

This ability to listen to my heart and act with my head has been my greatest ally for survival.... and I have been able to share these tools with many students in my care. I am forever humbled by these gifts and feel great sorrow when some victims I have known have not been so blessed.

5:23AM PST on Jan 22, 2009

When I was three years old my best friend, Gloria, lived down the block from me. We were inseparable....I was at her house or she at mine most every day. Gloria had an older high school aged brother who I had never really noticed until one day when he came to interrupt our hop scotch game. He told me of a collection of little glass figurines which he had upstairs in his room, told me if I was careful that I could come up and hold them. I followed him upstairs with no fear and proceeded to explore this lovely little grouping of breakable doll figures. Next, he suggested that I would be more comfortable on the bed with the dolls around me where I could play with them. I was delighted by this experience and was so happy that he would share these with me, a very little girl. Why a high school boy would have breakable little girl doll figures did not even cross my child mind. My delight, however, quickly switched to alarm (I call it "icky feeling") when he suggested that I would be more comfortable lying down and without so many clothes. I said I had to go home but was pushed down and forced to lie underneath his very large heavy body. Being the survivor that I have learned I am, however, I squirmed, kicked him hard, and ran home to tell my mother who then did what was necessary to keep this from happening to another little girl. As a retired teacher of 34 years, I have continued to share this understanding with girls and boys who I have taught. Listen to your

Bev K.

2:53AM PST on Jan 22, 2009

It would seem that women the world over possess the ability to 'find a way' to make a difference by taping their inner resources when needed. This book sounds like it will help us to glimpse at their world vividly. And in so doing, help us realize that it is ok to pursue our individual paths no matter where we live on planet earth - man or woman.