This August, it’s time to slow down for a beat and question where we’re headed as a country. We’re living in an increasingly divided time; so today, how free are we to express our unadulterated opinions and ideas through our work? We ask five creatives about the challenges and rewards of navigating life as an independent artist in the current socio-political scenario. More importantly, we question the relevance of freedom of expression – an indispensable tenet of our constitution – in regards to their craft. They share ideas, hopes and dreams; and together, we paint a picture of an India we want, and an India we deserve.

Collages by The Big Eye Collagist

Nirvair Singh Rai
Photographer

I’ve been grappling with the idea of inclusivity for a very long time; inclusion of neglected voices and stories that don’t reach the mainstream, drowning in the chaos of ‘what sells’. I’ve been trying to bring my art out of art galleries and social media, which can be rather limiting and elitist, to open spaces, forests, streets – places that are more accessible to the masses. The most challenging facet of working as an independent photographer is to get clients who are open to experimental ideas. I recently shot a campaign for designer Ishita Verma, for her collection. Dreamcatchers, which was inspired by the Bohemian aesthetic. I decided to shoot with the Kalbelia women of Pushkar. Kalbelias is a tribal community of vagabonds, known for their dances and serpents. This not only brought more authenticity to the clothes that were inspired by their banjara lifestyle but also helped to redefine what beauty is. The clothes are not bigger than the people; the models, not mere mannequins, but stories in themselves. The fact that we are discussing the relevance of freedom of expression, that there is a need to discuss something that is so basic, invariably implies that it’s under threat. Freedom of expression is the only way plurality of cultures, and multiplicity of perspectives can thrive, and if it’s being challenged, censored or banned in any way, I feel it’s the moral responsibility of all artists, to come together and express their thoughts more loudly in unison.
Fighting oppression through art should be a priority.
It is mine.

Noopur Choksi
Illustrator

The relevance of the idea of freedom of expression is such an important aspect of being an artist today because there is no art without expression. Most of my work is layered and abstract in capturing the struggles of the modern world. Sometimes people miss the underlying commentary it has on the anxieties of the current socio-political climate. I’m often asked why I
exclusively choose to draw women and not men, or why the women seem unhappy, lost in thought or rather bold. These conversations give me an insight into how my work is perceived, and I try to urge people to look past their notions of gender roles. Through my art, I aim to challenge these ideas, protest the stereotypes that prevent us from moving forward, and eventually raise the right questions.

Yaikhom Sushiel/ Miss Dame Imfala
Model & Drag Queen

Despite the annulment of Section 377, there is stark discrepancy against the LGBTQ+ community, and our credibility is often questioned. It is a scary environment to be living in, but freedom of expression lets me use my art as a weapon of socio-political protest. As we turn 72, we need to inculcate tolerance in our culture. Art helps us build this tolerance by protesting against discriminimation. My drag persona, Miss Dame Imfala is a small representation of a queen from the North East. Drag as an art form is so diverse, every queen and king is fighting their own battle for inclusivity. There is so much sustained homophobia in the community itself. Drag can help blur the lines between feminine, masculine and traditionally assigned gender roles that need to be eradicated immediately in our country.

Ronny Sen
Photographer & Filmmaker

The most rewarding aspect of being an independent photographer and filmmaker is the sense of freedom; the most challenging part of it is to hold on to that feeling of making work from the gut. Art is a creative response to the call of the real. Through my interactions with many artists, I have realised that the desire to make art is probably stronger than the desire to live. So any kind of fear or intimidation doesn’t really work; it might bother the businessmen, but the artists are always free. All art is born from sheer basic human needs and necessities; so no one can really stop it. The digital space was once free and democratic but sadly it’s not anymore. But, art will still find its way.

Harnidh Kaur
Writer

The most rewarding aspect of being an independent poet is to give my words a chance to reach out to someone who is where I was when I was younger. That’s well worth it. And yet, do I feel safe to express my thoughts and ideas through my work? I don’t. I’m constantly worried about how my words will be weaponized and misconstrued. I’m a woman from a
minority and I’m outspoken. That stacks things against me, but maybe that’s why I need to keep speaking. As we usher in a new year for our country, we need to take a hard look at what our ideals are. When was the
last time we paused and asked what was India? Whose India is it? How can we make it everyone’s? We need to ask better questions.

Image Courtesy: Megha Singha/Asenla Jamir/Armaan Pardesi/Nikyta Dhiman/Goutam Raj Thoudam

by Ritupriya Basu