THE RAAG WORKS

Raag Soohi

Two individual worlds. A shared point of connection.

Material

Henna

Artist note

In Raag Soohi I explore the profound theme of transition—the bittersweet journey of leaving the old behind and stepping into the new. The work draws on the twilight feeling of bidding farewell to the past while greeting what comes next with excitement, and on Soohi’s association with the Sikh Anand Karaj marriage ceremony.

In this painting, I decided to use henna: a symbol of weddings and a substance that embodies transition, from leaf to paste to intricate designs adorning hands and feet, celebrating new beginnings.

The design itself reflects my perception of marriage—a union where two individuals, each with their own complexities and histories, come together. Amidst the diversity of personalities, quirks, and cultural backgrounds, there lies a central point that binds them together.

This artwork poses a poignant question: What sustains this connection between two souls, allowing it to flourish amidst life’s complexities?