Ira's Story
This story is illustrated in the traditional style of pattachitra, an art and storytelling form from West Bengal. The artists or storytellers, also known as patuas, sing or narrate the story while they show the paintings which are in the form of a scroll. The stories recited by this community often follow important political and social issues.
My story follows the life of Ira, a school going student who is coming to terms with their gender identity and sexuality. The story tries to portray their confusion, the kind of bullying they go through in school with teachers scolding them for wearing the boys’ uniform, girls feeling uncomfortable changing in front of them and the misunderstandings they have with their friends and family. Not being able to cope with the pressures at school and home, Ira decides to go to a football camp where they meet another gender nonconforming individual who helps them to feel at ease with themselves. This story was inspired by a classmate of mine who experienced similar incidents and also from some of my personal experiences at the time. Through this story I wanted to throw light on the kind of discrimination and bullying gender nonconforming individuals go through in educational institutions.
Size: 190 x 190 mm
Medium: Poster paint and fineliner pen on paper
