Closer to Rithika's idea of home - is Bombay - also known as the city of birds where the cleverly used collective noun - a 'murder' of crows - are witnessing this burning figure in duress, inspired by the Agnipariksha of Sita and witch burning practices dating back to medieval times. The background is a conjoined eclipse of a cyclical night and day possibly alluding to this trial occurring for the feminine across time. Calmly seated with a stoic expression, the burning being is in complete contrast with the apparent agitation of the crows, possibly wondering about the fear that defiant, strong women cause and their successive punishment for not following societal norms.

Written by Shaleen Wadhwana