Crossing the Lakshmana Rekha

Katharina Kakar is a German-based artist, showcasing her latest works ‘Crossing the Lakshmana Rekha, a series of drawings dealing with women’s sensuality and sexual desires, drawing inspiration from the Indian concept of ‘Shrungara’.

The show at Goethe-Zentrum, Hyderabad, is part of the 14th edition of Krishnakriti Festival of Art and Culture-2017.

Born in Germany, Katharina Kakar has been trained in Comparative Religion and Anthropology at the University of Berlin, before she turned an artist. She is living currently in Goa with her husband, writer and psychoanalyst Sudhir Kakar.

She also founded an NGO, ‘Tara Trust’, to empower marginalised children through art and creative engagement.

“‘Crossing the Lakshmana Rekha’ explains multiple stories about women’s sexuality and sensuality in India. When I started these works on Lakshmana Rekha I heard about various women issues, and their vulnerability and more.

At the time of Delhi gang rape, many men came out and advised that women should not cross the Lakshmana Rekha (i.e. staying within the protection all the time). At that time I thought that is why this society is not accepting women to live their life as they want.

Women should not limit themselves to the Lakshmana Rekha; they should do whatever they want. With this display I’m asking as to why women are safe only in their homes, why not outside?” said Kakar.

In the exhibition, she used a large empty circle, filled with rose petals and wax body parts which are placed beyond the line symbolising Lakshmana. She also used dried fish, chillis, spices, ash and plastic garbage to explain her installations.

“The recent Bengaluru incident questions the security of women in India. Women must express their feelings about sexuality and sensuality publicly to overcome the problems.

But if a woman comes forward and conveys her feelings openly then the society looks down upon her. To overcome these problems, we need to organise more talks, discussions, debates about the importance of women,” she shared.

“I always love the cultures and traditions of India. The people here are generous and always help others. I am very happy to participate in Kalakriti Art Festival in Hyderabad.

Art should be a passion and it’s the way of expressing some of essential needs of human beings, it also fills the gap between people. My next project is ‘Absents and Presents’” she concludes.

What: Crossing the Lakshmana Rekha art exhibition
Where: Goethe-Zentrum, Hyderabad
When: Until January 17 from 9:30am to 6:30pm