We marry for love, for passion, for togetherness, for peace, to endure and build something that lasts forever. It's bittersweet, laborious and the biggest transition we will ever make.

Those of us married to our Art; to our loves; to our labour of love, often put up with an unreasonable, volatile, eccentric and exacting partner that won't relent, won't leave, won't let us leave and voila! every now and then, produce the best and bettering versions of us. Hence, we also marry to become better.

When did we give ourselves to them? Why did we give ourselves to them? What ritual, what ceremony bound us together so inextricably?

Ask a girl and she'll tell you it was a girlhood dream, this marriage. To walk down the aisle - a symbol of beauty, elegance and strength. Unflinching. Unguarded. Given away by those that hold her dearest, as bells rung and melodies played and wide eyes cried, awed by her beauty one moment and closed in the next as palms pressed together in prayer for her fortune and future.

Ask an artiste and she'll tell you it was a girlhood dream, this marriage. To leap onto stage - a symbol of beauty, elegance and strength. Unflinching. Unguarded. Watched by those that hold her dearest and will, as rhythm and raga played and unblinking eyes cried, awed by her presence, her movement, her ecstacy, her poise. She builds her future, breathing her dreams into many more than just her.

In Marriage, in Art, she surrenders, she delivers, she hurts, she heals, she dusts herself off and constantly gathers and grows. She has her loudest laugh, her loudest cry, her brightest smile and her toughest days (possibly all at once). In any case, in every case, she returns and conquers.

Brides or Performers, we are Queens, making our way down and up an aisle, a stage, life. This is our moment. Our coming of age. A decision to dance the Dance. Our chance and the biggest chance we'll ever take. With fear, freedom and faith. Give us away, come with us, this is the way - a marriage like no other, for all the right reasons, elevating us, in pain and pleasure.

Landing on feet, bruised and skinned. Soaring with wings, sore but sure.
Because this thing you're married to, is with you as much as you're with it. It takes, yes, every ounce of you and beyond but there's no telling how much more it gives.
Oh to marry...Oh to be married to an Art..
Oh what an irony that it will always set you apart.


(A Junoon for Marriage, in the making.)

Most girls that have journeyed with Indian Classical Dance, have an illusory love affair with this inimitable, inscrutable, irresistible divine but incredibly real paradox named "Lord Krishna".

As dancers, we have embodied the stories of every stage and phase of his life. We are obsessed with his mischief as an infant, his pranks as an adolescent, his acumen and wisdom as an adult, his charm and wit and chivalry and above all, his mystery.

Krishna is an enigma. Unattainable and yet so close to us, every "step" of the way.

With this painting, Project Dharti (www.projectdharti.com) gives us the impetus to continue to hold our dearest SHYAMA in every pipe dream of love and longing. And to therefore, continue to dance to his glory, his constant memory and presence in our hearts.

And although this piece is now SOLD, haven't our hearts been sold on him forever?!

We can't wait for Junoon to prepare the 'Meera's and 'Radha's and 'Gopi's to dance to our beloved SHYAMA.

In India, we tell our children stories that have been passed down generations, acquainting us with characters that are said to belong to the realm of Indian Mythology. These characters, their traits, their circumstances and responses are vital lessons in living and being. Our children are meant to learn from these tales and emulate the good they hear of.

We have, for time immemorial, eulogized these characters by pronouncing them: Divine.

Project Dharti constitutes women who tell their children stories by making these divine characters closer to the latter's age for added context and relatability.

The shenanigans, curiosity and intelligence of Ganesha, the powers of Devi, the responsibility of every other divine being and their fundamental interdependence on and respect for nature are at the core of most storytelling.

Hence, the women of Project Dharti create Art imagining little versions of Goddesses and Gods. Perhaps they see their children in these faces. Perhaps they want their children to be just as divine!

Given just how many little Girls Junoon has the privilege of passing on Classical Dance to, it will be an added privilege to also pass on the divinity that resides in the characters our girls will someday (not so far into the future) dance to! After all, every story told is a story to be danced.

These adorable Art pieces are available for purchase on Project Dharti's site - www.projectdharti.com/shop