A memory from my childhood that I believe played a very important role in shaping my approach towards gender, is watching the play Chitrangada by Rabindranath Tagore.
I was fascinated by how for the time it was written the subject it dealt with was so stunningly interesting.
How defining feminity or gender was questioned, how the trivial question of love , man , woman and where we belong was discussed and encouraged us to think and ask questions.
People perceive literature in so many ways and that is where the importance of it lies.
Once you train your brain to open up, it will be so tough for you to get back to norms and societal brainwashing.
It is a tribute to that memory, and to this piece-
Ami Chitrangada.
I have shared the portion i love both in english and bengali because it should not be limited to only one language. I wish i could do the same in more languages.
Hope you find it as interesting as how little Joyeeta felt for the first time.
It was so relatable to her because gender roles never ever for a day made any sense to her except for that being shackles from true freedom.
Original painting available. Dm to purchase.
All rights reserved under www.studiojoyeeta.com
