Once I heard the story of my great grandfather killing a tiger, and then I became curious about oral history. Then I found information that he also worked in the Taalim. Because the time period was Razakar, they fought through underground operations. They were aware of skills like gun shooting, fighting, sword practice, etc. He was recognised as a freedom fighter. My grandfather was also a freedom fighter. My father did wrestling in his initial days, and I found photographs of it. Then I realised how intergenerational masculinity passes on, and from my childhood I felt it sometimes suppressed my emotions.

The project explores “in search of identity,” where I am finding my own voice. I take the tiger-killing incident as a metaphor for how masks evolve from generation to generation. I am trying to carry it forward, but in my own version. Yet it remains with a sense of lack and void, creating feelings of loneliness.

The photo series, mask-making form a personal project that questions me, pushing me toward self-acceptance and the search for my own mode of expression. Masculinity is deeply complex; the masks we carry are always evolving, with no final end.

I explored this work through the fellowship as a mixed-media artist, and I want to thank the people involved in this journey my friends and family. This work has been produced under MIRRORS 2025, a creative fellowship exploring masculine–feminine identities, conceived by Maraa and supported by EdelGive Foundation and Rohini Nilekani Philanthropies.