This June I was incredibly honored to have collaborated with Disney Plus, Marvel Studios & Product of Culture for the premiere of the new “Ms Marvel” tv series!

To help kick off the series and promote Marvel’s first South Asian superhero, I was asked to illustrate a composition inspired by the elements that resonated most with me from episode 1, which were:
(1) the imagery of bangles
throughout the episode and (2) Kamala’s connection to her family.

I loved how there were stages throughout the episode where such a culturally symbolic item (the bangle)
goes from traditional, ethnic wear to cosplay item, to the source of her power. I found that shift really
moving because as a South Asian woman a lot of my first memories of culture came from observing the
jewelry collection my mom had, playing dress up with it, and receiving similar items from my relatives in India.
As I got older I started using adornment and South Asian fashion as a focal point in my art, which
gave my work a lot of meaning, similar to how the bangle becomes a source of Kamala’s strength.
I was also particularly drawn to the line Kamala’s mother said at the end of the episode “are you a
cosmic head in the clouds type person?” I found that quote relatable because it’s not easy to do
unconventional things in South Asian culture, so you have to learn to be a bit of dreamer even when
society tells you to focus on more practical things.
That’s why the focal point of my composition is bangles & celestial imagery.

Working with Disney on this composition I was able to share my story and explain why seeing someone who looks like me playing such an empowering role on TV was monumental for our community.

It was great to see Disney let the artists involved in this campaign take the lead and give us the opportunity to express ourselves so authentically. They truly created a unique campaign of inclusion that opened the conversation on what it’s like to be South Asian, American.