“Doosron key liye bahut jiya humne, aao ab hum apne hisab se jiyein (We have lived for others for so long, let us start living our lives on our terms)”
Meera, a domestic worker and a member of the women’s group in Harijan Basti (Gurugram), said excitedly, encouraging the other women in the group who were feeling shy. Why shouldn’t they sing, and dance, talk and laugh, even cry – this group was their safe space after all.
Friday afternoon has become the time for the women’s group to meet and share their hopes, dreams, and stories from their everyday lives.
On 20 August 2021, the women in the group decided to stitch their individual paintings into a single canvas. They had painted them during the International Women’s Day celebrations held in March. Each square of cloth represented a sliver of their dreams – together, it would represent their commitment to start living their lives on their own terms.
It took them 5 minutes to figure out the mechanics of how to do it. They sat in a circle, conversing and laughing, singing traditional songs, while their hands busily stitched the canvas. It didn’t matter that the women from Bihar sang in Maithili and Bhojpuri, and those from West Bengal sang in Bangla. Language was no barrier to this building of sisterhood.
There were a few women who were hesitant to sing or participate, but the other women in the group encouraged them to do so.
The women were brought together by joy, laughter, shared stories, and love. They're there to support, listen, and motivate one another.
The final big, stitched canvas painting is now ready which narrates the many dreams and aspirations of the women who painted it – and represents their circle of trust.
As the women gathered their belongings, having spent a few hours in this circle of trust, they are already planning their next get together.
“How about a picnic?” they said. “We will cook.”
“Sirf ek din, befikre ho ke jeena hai.” (For just one day, we want to leave our worries behind)