The Thinai Project: A Feminist Epic on Silk
Four epic paintings on Tussar Munga silk, reinterpreting ancient Tamil landscapes through a feminist lens. Designed to follow the sunlight in your home, these pieces are both art and personal manifesto.
A complete view of the installed Thinai Project inside a cubical living room. This image shows all four silk panels working together, creating an immersive 360-degree artistic experience that tells a cohesive story of female empowerment across different landscapes.
Looking up at the four panels and the skylight, this view highlights the architectural integration of the artwork. The installation was designed to follow the sun, with light hitting each painting at a different time of day, connecting the art to the natural cycles described in the literature.
The sun's rays beaming through the skylight and hitting the top of the installation. This captures the dynamic quality of the project, where natural light becomes an active element of the artwork itself.
Here I am in the finished space, sitting within the installation. This gives a sense of the scale of the paintings and the feeling of being completely surrounded by the art.
A video showing the installed Thinai Project at night, illuminated by artificial light. This demonstrates the versatility of the installation, which transforms from a day-lit space to a dramatic, gallery-like room after dark.
A short video montage showing me and my daughter documenting the finished project. It offers a behind-the-scenes look at the final steps of a major commission, from photography to clean-up.
A video revealing the full "Kurinji" (Mountain) painting on silk before installation. I'm holding up the massive, flowing fabric, showing its scale and the detailed artwork depicting a woman finding balance and accomplishment.
A flat, detailed shot of the central part of the "Kurinji" painting. This artwork represents the hills and mountains, with the elusive Kurinji flower and a figure embodying the spirit of the landscape.
Me adding the final touches to the "Kurinji" panel. This action shot shows the physical process of painting on a large scale, even when working on fabric that will later be installed as a wall mural.
The "Kurinji" panel installed on the wall, viewed from below. The surrounding peacock feathers and water drop motifs are part of the overall design, framing the central narrative.
About The Thinai Project: A Feminist Epic on Silk
This installation is crafted on pure Tussar Munga silk, stretched over custom, warp-resistant wooden frames. Creating these panels is a labour-intensive process that takes three to five weeks of studio time per piece, as I research the literary and historical context of each 'Thinai' landscape. Unlike a painted wall that stays with the building, these are movable, investment-grade assets that shift their energy and mood as the sun moves across your room.
The Thinai Philosophy
In classical Tamil literature, 'Thinai' refers to specific ecological zones—mountains, forests, river valleys, coasts, and deserts. Each has its own distinct emotional arc, musical tempo, and flora. My approach was to take these ancient, rigid poetic structures and break them open using a feminist perspective.
Why Silk?
I chose Tussar Munga silk for this project because it has a weight and texture that standard canvas cannot touch. It holds acrylic pigment with a depth that feels alive. When you live with these pieces, you aren't just looking at a painting; you are interacting with a narrative that changes in the morning light versus the evening glow.
The Artistic Process
My style here is loosely inspired by Lepakshi mural traditions, but the soul is entirely modern. For the 'Kurinji' (mountain) panel, for instance, the painting isn't just a landscape—it is a study of a woman’s fulfillment. I spent weeks blocking out the forms, ensuring the waterfall and the mountain goddess figure felt less like a static image and more like a reflection of the woman standing before it.
Making It Personal
Every project I take on starts with a long conversation. If you are looking for a mural or a silk installation, we need to talk about what stories are living in your space. Are you looking for the prosperity and 'boss lady' energy of the Marudham delta, or the balance of the mountain? I don't work for decoration; I work for meaning. If you want art that holds a mirror to your own journey, let's start there.
Girija
I'm Girija. I believe art is a process, not just a product, and I see walls as canvases for hard truths and healing. I don't believe in art for the sake of it; I believe in art that starts a conversation you cannot walk away from.
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