First model assignment

A teacher, doctor, singer, dancer, actor, a wannabe business person, baker & I.

What did we all have in common? 

2 things - we were all women & we all knew Sujina Sreedharan.

We were meeting as aspiring models. All of us were not giggling teenagers nor were we having impressive physical figures.

Why us? I asked Sujina & she replied,

“All women have a certain charisma & need to be celebrated”.

Katha_stories truly is an interesting concept. Knowing that the photographer & all others behind this innovative venture are women really makes it a safe space.

I walked into the “sustainable traditional handcrafted” ‘By Hand’ outlet without knowing anyone. The store had all the varieties of ikkats, ajraks, kalamkaaris, benarasis on display… Letting ten women loose in a fully stocked cloth store and asking us to choose whatever we pleased to be photographed in… കരിമ്പിൻ തോട്ടത്തിൽ ആനകൾ!!🤣 

After choosing a Benarasi  sari & a white blouse (very unlike what I would buy!), I walked away also with one special thought - the camaraderie of the women.

Seeing us helping each other choose saris, commenting on the worn pieces and helping with zipping / unbuttoning of blouses.

Amazing. It was a feel good atmosphere… a bonding of strangers. 

Serotonin overload.

I will not go as far as saying we all became friends, but this meeting showed me some insights into womenhood. Maybe the saying ‘women are women’s greatest enemy’ is not true. We ARE capable of uplifting each other. It is so easy for females to become close. And we are very receptive to suggestions!

Two hours flew.

It is sad that I did not meet everyone again, (I did make a good acquaintance with Ms.Smitha Ambu) but here’s wishing “katha” a great success. 

May you weave many beautiful women stories.

Location: @ernakulathappantemplecomplex  

Photographer : @svadrishti  

Concept: @katha_stories by @sujinasreedharan 

Sari & blouse : @byhand.in