Steeped in history and tradition, the princely state of Rajasthan never fails to charm artist Priyanka Banerjee. The smiling faces of the Rajasthani tribal women, the timeless architecture, the sun kissed faces of local people, the decorated camels, the golden sand dunes act as muse for the artist and art curator. She considers the tribal women the champions of tribal feminism who have made a mark in their society battling all discriminations and proving that they are every bit a fighter and no less than their male counterparts. Their achievements manifest the long journey they have travelled. Their fighting spirit inspires the artist who has captivated the emotions of the Rajasthani women with a great ease and fervour. The artist and art curator has tried to bring out the glorious achievement of the Rajasthani indigenous communities who have not only fought for their rights and entitlements of their tribes but have successfully led them to be economically independent. Women of Sahariya tribe in Rajasthan are atypical instance of women empowerment and finds a space in the artist’s canvas. Their faces basking in glory and confidence have time and again been captured on the canvases by the artist. A tribal Rajasthani woman named Ram Pati who sits outside Jaisalmer fort and sells her silverwares have been an artistic muse of the artist and art curator. According to the artist, she stands for women empowerment. The artist believes her to be a symbol of strength and also as one who has scripted her brave narrative of transcending all odds and challenges in her life and becoming an economically bankable figure for her tribe.
Thus, today’s women are considered as powerful agents of change and have made their presence felt effortlessly in almost all spheres. Today’s women are the pioneers of this glorious nation and the Indian culture attaches great importance to them since they play a significant role in shaping our society. Therefore, women portraits with a smile on their faces symbolise confidence, strength and positivity. The smiling faces of the women cast a magical spell on the viewers as they have a de-stressing effect. Women in the vibrant attires reflect our opulent vibrant culture. The colourful portraits have been executed in vivid mediums over a period of five years. The artist has worked hard to depict the adorned Rajasthani tribal faces true to life and in doing so has explored different mediums. As an intrepid traveller, the artist considers her fortunate enough to capture their smiles and even transform them eventually into the colouful canvases which exude warmth and positivity and making them immortal forever.
