Navigating public spaces in Indian cities is an everyday struggle for women. Ask Indu Antony, a 41-year-old feminist multidisciplinary artist based in Bengaluru, who is committed to working with local communities and creating spaces for artistic expression and empowerment.
Indu reflects on the pervasive issue of sexual harassment, stating, “Most women I know have experienced some form of sexual harassment in public spaces. Growing up, I remember my mother giving me a safety pin, saying that if somebody touches me on the bus, I can just push the pin back on them.” She adds that families often equip women with tools to navigate public spaces, making caution an integral part of their existence.
One incident, in particular, left an indelible mark on Indu’s psyche and inspired her standout art project, Cecelia’ed. “I was walking on the street in HBR Layout when a couple of boys walked up to me and spat on my face. I had no idea why they did that. It was a scary experience,” she recalls. This incident propelled her to confront gender inequities in public spaces.
From Experience to Action: The Birth of Cecelia’ed
Realizing her privilege and access to resources, Indu conceptualized Cecelia’ed in 2018, focusing on a flamboyant local celebrity in her 70s named Cecelia. Known for her eclectic style and strong presence, Cecelia became the face of the project, portrayed as “The Gender Disruptor.”
The project aimed to disrupt traditional notions of gender in public spaces marked as unsafe for women. Indu engaged with local communities, gathering data from police and conducting research in areas with high instances of gender-based violence.
Indu studied feminist geography to understand how urban planning contributes to these dangers. “We observed that women tended to avoid certain spaces, which were often where reports of attacks occurred,” she explains. To address this, Indu initiated Street Reopenings, inviting community members to reimagine these spaces as safe havens for women.
Community Engagement and Empowerment
Indu and her volunteers developed pamphlets to raise awareness and organized workshops at local Anganwadis, empowering women to voice their concerns. They also initiated Open Bar Nights, encouraging women to reclaim public spaces typically dominated by men.
Using Cecelia’s celebrity status, they organized lively street reopening events to engage the community in discussions about safety and access. They celebrated the repaired streetlights, reminding attendees that these spaces could be safe for all.
The Creation of Namma Katte
The COVID-19 pandemic shifted the focus of Indu’s initiatives, leading to the establishment of Namma Katte in February 2022. This safe space in a bustling slum allows women to rest, share stories, and engage in community building. “It’s just a space for them to exist,” Indu emphasizes.
Namma Katte features creative outlets, including a swing for women to relax and stitch their untold stories onto fabric, fostering a sense of community and belonging. Indu’s vision is to challenge societal norms that dictate how women should occupy public spaces, allowing them to simply be.
Conclusion
Indu Antony’s journey exemplifies the powerful intersection of art, activism, and community engagement. Through Cecelia’ed and Namma Katte, she is not only challenging gender norms but also creating meaningful spaces for women to reclaim their right to exist freely in public areas.
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