The Brave Girls Of Dongri!

There is something about the Dongri girls which keeps calling me back. If I reflect what it is, most of all it is how they express so much without words.

This time around, there was a quick acknowledgement of recognition. It felt nice, the slight belonging.. Then they just picked up colors!
Mitali* had been so hesitant to paint last time. She had made me draw outlines and carefully filled them in. This time, she dint even need my outlines! The rest of the evening, she squealed with joy to everyone passing by, proudly showing off her painted flower pots.

Given so many of them are hearing-impaired, are were not bound my my suggestions of simple objects like flowers and butterflies. They created their own canvas with bicycles, fish, fruit and all kinds of fun objects. Maybe it doesnt coherently come together in a theme, but it certainly looks like a lot of fun!

I need to just get out the way in these sessions and let them be. In about an hour of sweltering Mumbai heat, I suggested we wind up. Not a chance! They braved the hot Mumbai sun and painted for almost three hours- They just did'nt want to put down their brushes!