Rangeen Mukti
I’ve always been fascinated by how colors hold such deep meaning in our lives. They evoke emotions, tell stories, and, most importantly, allow us to express who we are. But what happens when colors are stripped away?
Paayal on her feet radiate power, creating a portrait of a woman reclaiming her space.
Growing up, I often watched movies related to social issues with my mother — films like Rudaali, Water, Choker Bali, and many others. As a child, I couldn't fully grasp why these films didn’t have happy endings or the joyful moments that most movies offered. But as I grew older, I understood. These weren’t just films; they were mirrors reflecting the harsh realities of our patriarchal society, where women were often stripped of their basic rights to happiness and expression. This realization shaped the core of Rangeen Mukti.
In our culture, widows are often expected to live a life devoid of color, where mourning becomes synonymous with erasure. For them, life wasn’t just about grief — it was about a societal expectation that denied them the right to joy and self-expression. This felt deeply unfair to me, and the more I thought about it, the more I realized that this wasn't just a cultural practice, but a reflection of how society had learned to control and suppress women’s voices, even through something as simple as color.
Rangeen Mukti is my attempt to reimagine what liberation could look like for these women. The series focuses on a widow, dressed in a traditional white saree, standing against the vast backdrop of the ocean.
While her saree remains white, her accessories tell a different story. Vibrant pink and green bangles adorn her wrists, symbolizing life and joy.
Her long braid is wrapped in pink kaner flowers, a quiet defiance against the constraints of tradition. Lotus buds rest gently in her hands, symbols of purity and renewal.
A delicate Borla on her forehead and a Paayal on her feet radiate power, creating a portrait of a woman reclaiming her space.
The ocean behind her is not just a setting; it’s a metaphor for the endless possibilities and unrestrained freedom that await her. Her stance, poised yet powerful, speaks volumes — it is as if she is reclaiming a space that society had once denied her.
What I love most about Rangeen Mukti is how it uses subtlety to tell a powerful story. It's not loud or confrontational, but quietly challenges the notion that life must be devoid of color after loss. It invites the viewer to see widows not through the lens of pity or tradition, but as individuals with the right to joy, choice, and self-expression.
Working on this project was incredibly personal for me. Before I started, the world seemed either white or black to me. But as I immersed myself in creating this, I realized that fashion and culture are far more nuanced. I understood the importance of approaching cultural themes with mindfulness and practicing cultural appreciation instead of appropriation, because I now see how easy it is to unintentionally offend or misinterpret.
As a woman in the fashion industry, deeply connected to my culture and roots, I’ve come to realize that color is more than just a visual element. It is a celebration, an emotion, a powerful tool of expression. Through Rangeen Mukti, I wanted to challenge the idea that women’s lives should be stripped of vibrancy. Society may have tried to limit her choices by imposing white as the symbol of mourning, but I used color and flowers to empower her, to give her back the life and freedom she deserves.
For me, this project is a reminder of the power of fashion as a medium for storytelling. It’s not just about clothing; it’s about sparking conversations and advocating for change. With Rangeen Mukti, I hope to inspire others to question outdated norms and to celebrate the beauty of freedom in all its forms.
This series is my personal ode to every woman who dares to reclaim her identity, one vibrant accessory at a time.
- Saloni Tamsetwar (Saloni is a fashion stylist and visual artist)