This Artist Explores The Indian Dating Culture Through Her Illustrations
This Artist Explores The Indian Dating Culture Through Her Illustrations
Indu wanted to capture the essence of the online dating culture in India through her illustrations, which are based on crowdsourced stories on dating, love and relationships
After the viral and sexually provocative art campaign #100IndianTinderTales, artist and illustrator Indu Harikumar is back with yet another project — #HowWeDate. Indu wanted to capture the essence of the online dating culture in India through her illustrations, which are based on crowdsourced stories on dating, love and relationships.
Primarily focussing on women, the “sex-positive” project gathered intended to highlight on how people date, what makes them swipe right/left, their online or offline experiences, and the general perspective of Indians towards dating.
With heart-warming stories about falling in love through Tinder, or learning to get comfortable with oneself, or coming across positive temporary experiences, Indu transformed these real-life experiences into art to quash the taboos and create a judgement-free space.
Here are some excerpts from the #HowWeDate project:
“I’ve been single for about two years but whenever I did meet someone, I would end up carrying a small something for them – just to give it a personal touch. It’s sort of my thing I guess.”
“Both our dads were alcoholics and both of us sought solace in dreams of a future where we or our mothers would not be beaten up at home and both of us were gatekeepers of our family’s deepest darkest secrets.”
“Over the past couple of months, I have felt a tangible shift with a lot of potential partners coming into the picture. Maybe it’s a sign that I’m finally warming up to the idea that love will find its way to me.”
“It was the first time ever somebody took care of me so much. I did a lot more of random clumsiness that day. Spilled beer, dropped a few things, broke my specs and such other things. I was particularly surprised how calm he was with all this considering he had major OCD. But I loved that little thing about him. He was funny and kind. Enjoyed my time. I felt so safe and happy. I knew it wouldn’t go anywhere but I knew it was the right place to be that day.”
“I always thought that I’d date someone, marry them, die with them and then I wouldn’t have to be alone. That obviously didn’t work out and I made many good and bad decisions because I didn’t want to be alone. So with this unique problem, online dating helped me meet men and be part of the mating ritual again, after a five year-long relationship.”
“We connected like old friends. Despite the difference in our social class, I felt so accepted and so equal. Also, when we were together, he said something and I didn’t like the tone and told him so. This was new, I have never called out another man, never for something so trivial and he responded so well and apologised. Unlike the men I meet who always want to mansplain what I should do with my career, not once did this man offer advice but heard me out as I told him about my life, while he talked about his.”
“On the third night we meet. I step out of a friend’s birthday party (rather tipsy) to walk around our (shared) neighbourhood. The first night he stays over, we are falling asleep spooning- strange to be sharing a bed with someone again – and we both let out a deep breath slowly at the same time. Like my body telling me ‘Relax, honey. Time to turn soft again’.”
“I met my current boyfriend on Tinder. I’d stopped dating after my previous relationship as the end was bitter and I didn’t trust anyone anymore. I went through a few flings and was disappointed with them too, took a chance to meet this boy and didn’t expect anything to come out of it either. But once we met, we spoke for six straight hours! We met the second time and I went home with him, what ultimately made me fall in love with him was a question he asked after we’d done the deed.”