Parul Baliyan grew up in a small town in northern India, a place that defines her as a person and an artist. Currently based in the UK, she made London her home almost two decades ago. Most of her childhood memories reflect the countryside, cultural and traditional fusion of simplicity and diversity, which is vividly reflected in her paintings.
For the self-taught artist and mother of two, inspirations come from the ordinary day-to-day imagery around us – be it people, buildings, landscapes or lifestyles. Much of these will be showcased in her exhibition at Nehru Centre in London next week, soon after International Women’s Day 2024 on March 8.
What does this exhibition mean to you?
For the past two years, I've been planning my collection entitled ‘Six Yards Of Elegance’. My aspiration was to unveil this collection of work at the Nehru Centre on International Women's Day, a moment I eagerly looked forward to. As an artist, this opportunity holds immense significance for me.
The Nehru Centre stands as a vibrant bridge between India and the United Kingdom, an ideal platform to share my vision through art. As my work primarily focuses on Indian themes, there couldn't be a more fitting venue for me to showcase the richness of Indian culture on a global stage. It's a momentous occasion that aligns perfectly with my artistic journey and aspirations.
How do you feel about International Women’s Day being marked annually?
While both men and women face challenges, women often carry an additional burden, both biologically and socially.
I am primarily surrounded by Indian women and watched women in my life very closely the kind of challenges they confronted. Some meet these challenges head-on with courage, while others resign themselves to fate. When I reflect on the struggles and resilience of women, my thoughts immediately turn to my mother. My mother defied traditional norms to carve out a better life for herself and our family. She broke barriers as the first woman in our close-knit circle to pursue higher education and embark on a full-time career. Through her actions, she instilled in us the value of financial independence and forward-thinking is very important, especially for a woman. Even at the age of 72, her visionary outlook continues to guide me.
For me International Women's Day is a perfect occasion to pay tribute to the countless women whose contributions often go unnoticed, who are not celebrated as heroes or afforded privilege. My tribute is to these unsung heroes, the foot soldiers who tirelessly navigate and overcome unimaginable challenges, steadfastly fulfilling their roles in society.
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What are some of the inspirations behind ‘Six Yards of Elegance’?
It celebrates the essence of womanhood. Each painting is a heartfelt tribute to women, who have left indelible mark in our lives.
I chose saree as the thread which intertwines all my paintings. Indian women have a very deep-rooted relation with the saree, which plays a significant role in my identity as an artist. My fascination with this graceful garment began in my childhood when observing my mother donning sari for work every day and I was providing a little help to perfect her pleats.
A saree is not just a six-yards cloth; it's a symbol of the cultural identity of an Indian woman. The stereotypical image of a woman and saree as a symbol of constraints has been crossed by many brave women, for centuries. From Draupadi's resilience who stood up for the respect of women despite the loss of her family in the epic ‘Mahabharata’, to the recent celebration of women scientists in saree in the Chandrayaan moon landing mission, these incidents strongly illustrate the remarkable achievements a woman can attain while draped in a saree.
All the subjects I have covered have gracefully donned saree, transcending the physical or social challenges with resilience.
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And, what comes next after this exhibition?
Women as a subject will always be one of my subjects and I will be continually enriching my efforts to make them more and more meaningful.
Additionally, I have a profound fascination with history, architecture and diversity of cultures. A sense of belonging is the key element of my artistic voice and I aspire to channel this into creating more artworks that capture the essence of it.
*Info: Six Yards of Elegance
