The Sisterhood: Mentors, Collective & Philosophy
Art is never a solo act. This space is built on the foundation of the 'Haan Hum' collective—a circle of mentors and fierce women fighting for dignity, liberation, and truth through our shared praxis.
My core team. Here we are at the Sambhaavnaa Institute, dreaming up the future of Haan Hum. I am so proud to walk this path with these incredible women.
Our mentor and core team member, Jaya Di, speaks about what Haan Hum means to her. She explains how art is not just a tool for liberation, but liberation itself. Her wisdom anchors our work.
A selfie with my mentor, Jaya Di. Her guidance and presence have been instrumental in shaping our work and my own journey as an artist and activist.
A moment from a discussion circle with grassroots organizers and social workers. I am constantly learning from the wisdom and experience of the leaders who are on the front lines of social change.
A detail of dancers' feet during a performance at one of our workshops. Art, theatre, and traditional practices all weave together in the spaces we create.
A birthday post for my dear friend and Haan Hum director, Neethu. She is a fearless human who inspires me every day. This work is fueled by such powerful friendships.
A quiet moment of connection with nature during an art residency. The tree, making a million choices every moment, reminds me of my own path and the choices I make in my art and life.
A self-portrait and my manifesto for the year. It’s a checklist for my art and life practice, a commitment to being fearless, working harder, loving more, and becoming hope.
"Self Respect and Intelligence are the beauty of humankind." A quote from Periyar, a social reformer whose feminism and ideals of social justice are a huge inspiration for my work.
A poem about the artist's life. It speaks to the churning of trauma, grief, and love, and how art is the elixir that emerges from it all.
About The Sisterhood: Team, Mentors & Philosophy
When you step into a space with us, you are not a client in a boardroom. You are a participant in a living, breathing circle. My team and I do not run cookie-cutter corporate events; we facilitate raw, honest engagements where theatre games and art-making act as mirrors. If you are looking for a sterile, polished team day, we are likely not the right fit. If you want a space where hierarchies are challenged and something real is created, let's talk.
Our philosophy is simple: Art is liberation. It is not a luxury, nor is it just a tool for decoration. Within the 'Haan Hum' collective, we practice art as a means of reclaiming agency, especially for marginalized communities. This ethos carries over into everything I do, whether I am facilitating a workshop with a corporate team or leading a mural project in a public space.
The Collective Approach
My work is anchored by the wisdom of mentors like Jaya Di, who remind me that art happens in the interaction between people. We do not bring a rigid curriculum. Instead, we bring a set of practices—Theatre of the Oppressed, collaborative mural making, and dialogue circles—that adapt to the energy in the room.
What You Can Expect
- Safe Spaces: Whether it is a half-day session or a multi-day project, we insist on creating an environment where vulnerability is welcomed, not managed.
- Challenging the Norm: We use games to break down hierarchies. When corporate teams work with us, they find themselves doing things that push them out of their comfort zones, leading to actual shifts in how they communicate with each other.
- Process Over Outcome: You might walk away with a canvas or a mural, but the real takeaway is the conversation we had while making it. We focus on the 'making' because that is where the politics, the laughter, and the healing live.
We are here to provoke thought, foster solidarity, and remind ourselves that dignity is not conditional. If you want to join this journey, bring your openness and leave your titles at the door.
Similar work from other experts
Browse through Curated picks from other experts on mytribe
9
Art for Social Change: Murals and Community Facilitation
11
Our Creative Adda: Artistic Collaborations and Community
Collaborative Performance Art & Contemporary Dance Projects
Community & Social Impact Murals
Art Mentorship and Creative Community Engagement
10
Art for Healing and Community Outreach
More from Art Workshops by Girija
More services by Girija