A woman in a saree, adorned with jewelry, stands behind a DJ booth. Her fingers slide over the turntable as beats drop. The crowd cheers, but some stare should she be here? A mother, game controller in one hand, baby in the other, levels up in more ways than one. A security guard stands firm outside an ATM at midnight, ensuring the safety of others while the world debates her own.
For Women's Day, we created nine illustrations, inspired by the Navadurga—the nine manifestations of the Goddess Durga. Beyond the illustrations, there’s another layer woven into each piece—a symbol. Inspired by the natural cycle of womanhood, it transforms into folded hands in worship. Often seen as a vulnerability, this cycle is, in reality, a force of renewal and resilience. It is the rhythm of life itself, an untamed power that deserves not shame but reverence. This visual thread ties each Shakti to the essence of womanhood—powerful, cyclical, and divine. These designs reflect an evolving world where tradition and modernity don’t just coexist; they strengthen each other. Because if there’s anything history (and a few hard-earned experiences) has taught us, it’s that women have always been many things at once—just maybe, now, the world is starting to notice.
These are not just illustrations. These are realities, ones that are reshaping what it means to be a woman today.
The 9 Shaktis : Past, Present, and Everything in Between
Each Shakti represents a force that has always existed, sometimes recognized, sometimes overlooked, but never absent.
For every goddess, there is a real woman walking among us who embodies her
spirit—athletes, scientists, activists, entrepreneurs, caretakers, creators, and change-makers. They may not ride lions, but they lead, protect, nurture, and fight in ways that would make the gods proud.
A Woman’s Place? Anywhere She Chooses.
The way we imagine women is shifting, not because they have changed, but because we are finally starting to see them for who they have always been. The idea that strength must look a certain way is outdated; strength is both the sword and the spoon, the protest sign and the lullaby, the boardroom and the boxing ring.
As designers, working on this project was as humbling as it was exhilarating. It wasn’t just about creating illustrations; It was about telling stories, giving shape to something that has always been there but deserved a little more spotlight. It made us laugh, reflect, and realize that the best designs aren’t just seen; they are felt.
So here’s to women who have never been just one thing. Here’s to the Shaktis, in all their forms, past, present, and future. And here’s to all of us finally catching up to the reality they’ve always known.
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