An Encomium To Art

Today I’m not going the route I usually go, posting my work. But instead,……………

Every artist has a voice, heard through the portrayal of their work. To honor the same, I asked some of the people on my Instagram friend list if they’d help showcase that. Each of these talented individuals agreed to lend THEIR VOICES to help make this post what I had envisioned it to be and so much more.
To thank them for complying with my very random messages- to some late at night, to some I’ve never met, to some I’ve spoken for the first time ever, I have linked their works below each of their thoughts and would really appreciate it if y’all showed them all some love for helping your girl out. Click on each of the darkened texts and it’ll take you right to their pages -YOU WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED.

This is An Encomium To Art. (Quick everyone, now’s the time to raise your glasses.)

ROBIN JACOB, a medical student.

“Imagine a child, who was content for having written a poem about a Gulmohar, because he was too short to reach them! Imagine, falling in love with writing letters to Santa, more than procuring those irresistible goodie bags! Well, I’m all of that. I found my home in words and ink, when I was twelve and ever since that happened, there have been a million Gulmohar showers happening in those pages which smelled of my thoughts. Each time, more afresh, than the previous one.” -Robin.

For more of Robin’s work: For The Sake Of Words. (Click on the darker text.)

VAGDHA RAO, a media student.

For more of Vagdha’s work: Vagdha Diaries

“My liking towards photography started couple of years ago. Honestly, until then I thought it is one of the easiest jobs; all you had to do was click one shutter button. But my perception towards it changed totally once I got into it and realized it’s way beyond clicking a shutter button. After practicing photography for a while I’ve realized I have become more patient and I have started observing things more closely. The best part of photography for me  is when I get the right frame I had imagined. And the  joy I  get after achieving it cannot be expressed.” -Vagdha.

SHARON RODRIGUES, a design student.

For more of Sharon’s work: Shar Rod

DWIJESH SRIDHAR, a commerce student.

“It is often said that Music helps us escape time and rightfully so. Have you ever sat by the window seat listening to your favorite songs, making the journey feel a little less tedious? The thing about songs is that everyone has their own interpretation and reason to listen to the song, their own secrets. Music is freedom, the freedom to express oneself and their feelings. I started learning how to play the guitar a few years back. It’s been an on-off relationship since then. Sucks when two people can’t make things work out xD. It’s a really good way to let the steam off for me, learning new songs and techniques give me a sense of being productive. It keeps me ticking and it’s better than doing nothing.” -Dwijesh.

For more of Dwijesh’s work: Dwijesh Sridhar

RHEA JOSE, a medical student.

“As a medical student who deals with an unusual amount of stress and pressure on a daily basis, I seeked comfort and solace in a space that not only inspires me but keeps me motivated to be a happier and more content version of myself each day.
I am a self-taught creator, who enjoys spending my spare hours in creating content that gives me joy, the more I create; I realize, precise, accurate, detailed, explicit, meticulous are NOT adjectives I would use to describe my Instagram page. My aspiration with this page is to make my virtual community realize that ‘anyone can create’, I myself have given a shot at singing and drawing lessons, as well as classes to learn instruments like the guitar and keyboard, but I would never go on with it for too long. It was only when I was self-motivated to play the ukulele did I have this urge to create and inspire.” -Rhea.

 “In retrospect, everything I do now is self-taught, the baking, the singing, the drawing.
I want my followers to learn to believe in everything that makes them feel good and lighter is worth investing their time in.”

For more of Rhea’s work: Se.Rhea.Tonin

INSHA REHMAN, a Bba student, MICA.

“Fashion to me is like a thick golden armor that shines bright and protects me.
For years I’ve struggled with insecurities, low self esteem and what not, all thanks to the constant comparison that starts when you’re born and never truly ends.
Now I’m older, not the child I was back then, I stand proud not slouched.
I dress myself up so you can’t bring me down,
I’m stronger now, no longer fragile.
You can throw your harsh words at me but they’ll bounce right off,
You can call me ugly, skinny, fat, dark, but you can’t deny my style.” -Insha.

For more of Insha’s work: Inshizzle

SHASHANK VATTAM, a media student.

Hey there!
“I see art in everything, be it the way chai is poured, a kid weeping or an intimate scene. The mise en scène ramps up 10x when you have a keen eye for the little things in life.The art of videography gives me that power to visualize the world around me, construct or breakdown what ever I want with the power of perspective. Focusing on the mains, brightening up the darks and making things a tad more colorful- that’s the art of videography!” -Shashank.

For more of Shashank’s work: The Bearded Brahmana

KRITHI SUDHIR, a business strategist.

For more of Krithi’s work: Do The Wok

“I had issues with body positivity growing up.
I was always a little “well built” in comparison to the average kid. I was buying clothes made for 14 year olds when I was only 10.  To add to it all, I was given nicknames in school that were typically related to me being some type of fat.
I grew up believing I was flawed unlike most teens.  Not to mention, I started comparing myself to girls who  seemed to have “perfect” bodies at the time. To be honest, I was only a little overweight.  
I tried to distract myself from the growing diffidence by channeling my energy into academics—something I was good at, and something that made me feel good about myself. But the self deprecating talk associated with my body image would always come back to haunt me from time to time. And why wouldn’t it? I hadn’t really dealt with the issue. I had only just let it slide. 
One day, I decided to join the gym and make changes to the way my body looked, not because I wanted to, but because I just wished others would stop calling me names. 
When I failed to keep up a routine, I was disappointed in myself. On several occasions, I just smothered the entire experience by telling myself that I was just okay the way I was (I didn’t really feel that way) when in reality I should’ve just told off some people. Talk about band-aid solutions!
A couple of months ago when I learned I was a potential pre-diabetic, I made up my mind. I wanted to do this for myself and my health and not for anyone else!
I started eating mindfully. This time, I kept at it and didn’t punish myself for when I failed or had small, unscheduled cheat meals. Because now I see the bigger picture—it’s health. Not some kind of an image. 
Today, I am stunned at my own progress. It has taken me only two months to solve the issues I’ve been struggling with for nearly 15 years! If only I hadn’t put it off for so long! 
And, that’s all it takes. The desire to make a change for yourself, a start, self belief and the determination to keep going. I do hope to inspire other folks who may have had to deal with similar issues along my journey.” -Krithi.

SAMYUKTHA ALWAR, a hotel management student.

“Cooking for me is more than making food that make people happy. It’s about telling a story. It’s about them getting involved and experiencing the story that I am telling through the food.
It’s a way for me to deal with my quirks too. Everything I put on a plate has to be perfect and my need to have control gets satisfied when I’m plating something or in the process of baking.” -Samyuktha.

For more of Samyuktha’s work: Little Alwar

KEERTHAN N BHOVI, an entrepreneur.

For more of Keerthan’s work: Style Storm.

Anya’s note: This post goes in no order of preference but instead in order of when I received their work. I have never been more excited and more nervous about a post in all my life. This is an idea I didn’t allow myself to think it through properly because knowing myself, I’d have probably abandoned it in a second owing to the fact that I had to randomly talk to ten people and also stand a chance of being told “NO!” (It isn’t always like how mum tells me “Who’d say no to me?” But, this time she was right.) I had ten people in mind, all ten of whose works you’ve just read. Whatever apprehension I felt before I messaged each of them, flat lined the second they agreed to listen to what I had to say. I have one last thing to say after the many things I just said.
What I didn’t tell each of them: Common to all of these artists is their public IG accounts. Apart from the external link I wanted to give them, the fact that they had public accounts open for everyone to see, unbothered by public scrutiny was so much more empowering to me than I let on when talking to them. Along with providing inspiration to other artists, they’ve given this writer a lesson on how to trust my work and enjoy it while I’m at it, regardless of what I ‘think’ people feel about it. So this is a THANK YOU for something you never realized you did for me by accepting to do this post.


An Encomium To Art: You’ll find mine here.

This post contains Amazon Affiliate Links. For more on the affiliate marketing on my site: Disclosure Policy.

Category: Features    

34 Comments on “An Encomium To Art”

  7. Wow miss Anya, I went through their insta… really they deserve the things that you told, And seeing this I just want to say… I got to learn a lot.. haven’t done much yet… for living life I want.. got to leave things that stops me. I guess I am not that ready to get my book published by that publisher… thank you so much for sharing it.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply

    • I feel for you, Sir. However, after doing something I was anxious about, i find it quite liberating. I was ready but just never realised it. If you think you’re ready, you are. Don’t stress too much about it. 😀

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      • Well I don’t know why I am this anxious about it, created a whole new poem to take it out… you can read it and tell, that will be quiet helpful. I mentioned a few things there. For me as long as I have seen there are so many talented people over instagram who do these poetries a lot better than me. I guess I should learn new things and think over this after some time… BTW are they your friends too mentioned in the blog.!!

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  8. Really like your consideration of people from different background, Anya.. Their approach, their perspectives shows how dedicated they are. After a long time I read something unique, thanks to you!! ✋😄

    Liked by 3 people

    Reply

  10. a rather interesting read. i liked how expressive this girl krithi was.
    and well, not everyone’s account is public.
    this was a good attempt, but i feel this could have been presented better. you’ve grown. wishing you the best, Anya 🙂

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply

    • Thank you very much, Srijan. I really appreciate you taking time off to read. I’ll be sure to be a little more observant with presentation. Always room to learn 😁

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      Reply

      • well, i suppose so. and i read that dance thing you wrote. you were rather cute and just really passionate. don’t really see that often, these days.
        i hope that you continue, as long as you’re able, and someday maybe share a glimpse of the same with your audience.
        also tell your sister, i found her collections rather interesting. i used to collect stamps, but it’s all in the past now. 🙂

        Like

  15. Pingback: A Lockdown Birthday – Anya Abraham

  16. You have some very talented friends! Thanks for this post, and good luck in your studies. I’ve been walking the road you’re on for many years, and each step has been worthwhile. Not without pain, at times, but always rewarding.

    Liked by 2 people

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