Oil, acrylic, & mixed media on canvas

2016

Part 4 of the “Desi Remix” series, which explores the past by reimagining India’s rich history of mythology, epics, and folktales by juxtaposing feminist icons onto Western classical paintings. (Inspired by Gustav Klimt’s “The Kiss”) 

Savitri is so beautiful & pure, she intimidates all the men around her. When it comes time for her to get married, no one asks for her hand in marriage, so she sets out to find a husband on her own. She goes on a pilgrimage & eventually finds Satyavan, the son of a blind king living in exile in the forest. Although perfect in many ways, Satyavan was destined to die within a year. However, despite knowing this and having many advise her against choosing Satyavan as her partner, she decides to marry him anyway. 

The day Satyavan is predicted to die, Savitri accompanies him into the forest. While cutting wood, Satyavan suddenly becomes weak and falls into Savitri’s lap. Yama, the god of death, comes to take Satyavan’s soul but Savitri chases after him as he carries her husband’s soul away, and fires back with her wit. Yama, impressed by her actions, rewards her by granting any one wish except for Satyavan’s soul to return to his body. Thinking carefully, she first asks for her father-in-law’s sight to return, then a 100 children for her father, and finally a 100 children for her and Satyavan. Her last wish leaves Yama with a dilemma, as it would require Satyavan to be alive. However, impressed by Savitri’s dedication & determination, he changes his mind and decides to grant her any wish, including Satyavan’s life. She instantly asks for his life back & Yama blesses Savitri’s life with eternal happiness.  

As with all the women of this series, Savitri is another example of beauty beyond the physical. Her words have their own strength & she proves that there is power in action. She defies all “damsel in distress” storylines of mythology & ironically turns them upside down to stand up for a man, reclaiming “herstory”.