Thamara Perera

The Dance

“The Dance” is a piece that refers to the dichotomy between present-day and ancient South Asian characterizations of the mother. In contemporary South Asian culture, the role of the mother is diluted to the submissive and dutiful housewife, where her sole purpose in life is to dote on her husband and children whilst playing an otherwise passive role in her household. Mother Durga, a powerful 10 armed goddess, is used in this piece to symbolize the ancient characterization of motherhood, where she is a strong, protective, and spirited woman in her own right.

“This illustration is a part of my Thesis series, May the Yakshi Rise Again! that contrasts South Asian women's issues with various feminist aspects of ancient South Asian culture. “The Dance” uses Mother Durga, a powerful 10 armed Hindu goddess, to illustrate the domestic role of motherhood that South Asian women are often forced into.”