"In the spirit of “show, don’t tell”, the heroines of Odissi taught me quietly, instinctively, experientially — like a sakhi who speaks your inner language — that the body is a beautiful thing," writes Swaati Chattopadhyay."As is usual in my life, epiphany of the ideal was followed by that of the what-is. The wrecking ball oscillated from art to life. After the discovery of great pleasure, came the eruption of great rage."
I am far, far away from the boldness this kind of writing needs, Swaati....but I am glad I can be a reader and learn!!💖💖💖 This piece bears the hallmark of your own special interpretations of life that make your writing so you!
Groped in public places, told to cover myself while breastfeeding my children and now, having being told to give a 'halka sa scarf' to my growing 10yo, I've had unpleasant experiences with my own well-endowed body - only learning to marvel at the beauty of it all now in my 40s. I still avoid swimming with my kids only to avoid being seen in a wet, clingy outfit. Oh the shame and how I wish I could overcome it once and for all! Thank you so much Swati for writing this courageous, daring piece. More power to you! Following you for more inspiration.
Thankyou Sanobar, for reading with heart and sharing your experiences... They are making me think. I don't think we ever completely overcome shame - maybe at some point we just realise how much of other people's shame we are carrying within us. And that is freeing ❤️
I am pretty sure I am going to remember this celebration of breasts and women's bodies for a very long time. Thanks a lot for the vulnerability and power that you showed in equal measure.
This is an incredible, powerful ode to breast. I am captivated by the way Swaati celebrates breasts as the centre and connector of life, nurturance, shame, pain, power. This one is the most unusual and bold essays we have read in the #Ochre Sky collection
Thankyou Joydeep. To be very honest, I'm so used to men squirming uncomfortably whenever I address my breast story that your comment is a relief - I'm not expecting the impossible :)
This was so beautiful! Back in the day, I was a very 'bindass' nursing mother, scandalizing several folks. It's sad that with all the molestation they face, many women ruin their posture to conceal their breasts. Cheers to Swaati for this beautiful post.
The moving essay that makes us breast endowed beings look down at our chest with awe! Full of power. This is such a celebration, written with the opposite of male gaze. Suitable to Swaati's thick-nibbed, sundar, love-filled writing.
Thanks to you, Raju, for choosing this essay and making me realise that things that are banal givens in my life might be moving and transformative for others 💓
I am far, far away from the boldness this kind of writing needs, Swaati....but I am glad I can be a reader and learn!!💖💖💖 This piece bears the hallmark of your own special interpretations of life that make your writing so you!
This was such a beautiful, powerful read. I enjoyed reading it!!!
Thankyou Sharmada, I am glad my words resonated with you ❤️
This is such a powerful, and well-written piece. Thank you for the post Swaati and Natasha.
Thankyou Urmilesh, for reading with heart.
Groped in public places, told to cover myself while breastfeeding my children and now, having being told to give a 'halka sa scarf' to my growing 10yo, I've had unpleasant experiences with my own well-endowed body - only learning to marvel at the beauty of it all now in my 40s. I still avoid swimming with my kids only to avoid being seen in a wet, clingy outfit. Oh the shame and how I wish I could overcome it once and for all! Thank you so much Swati for writing this courageous, daring piece. More power to you! Following you for more inspiration.
Thankyou Sanobar, for reading with heart and sharing your experiences... They are making me think. I don't think we ever completely overcome shame - maybe at some point we just realise how much of other people's shame we are carrying within us. And that is freeing ❤️
I am pretty sure I am going to remember this celebration of breasts and women's bodies for a very long time. Thanks a lot for the vulnerability and power that you showed in equal measure.
Thankyou for reading with heart, Ronita ❤️
This is an incredible, powerful ode to breast. I am captivated by the way Swaati celebrates breasts as the centre and connector of life, nurturance, shame, pain, power. This one is the most unusual and bold essays we have read in the #Ochre Sky collection
Thankyou for your kind words, Manisha. They're special, coming from a writer whose essay for Ochre Sky I thought was unusual and bold ❤️
“The wrecking ball oscillated from art to life.” As always Swaati shines her light on the minutiae of life with grace, depth and style. Love it!
Binu, you have such a good eye. You always catch my favourite lines, that I hide amidst the others ❤️
What a powerful and moving piece of writing! It should be a must read for all men
Thankyou Joydeep. To be very honest, I'm so used to men squirming uncomfortably whenever I address my breast story that your comment is a relief - I'm not expecting the impossible :)
Thanks!
It take courage to write like Swaati... and it demands a letting go of inhibitions in the reader as well.
This was so beautiful! Back in the day, I was a very 'bindass' nursing mother, scandalizing several folks. It's sad that with all the molestation they face, many women ruin their posture to conceal their breasts. Cheers to Swaati for this beautiful post.
Thankyou Dipali ❤️
Thank you Dipali
The moving essay that makes us breast endowed beings look down at our chest with awe! Full of power. This is such a celebration, written with the opposite of male gaze. Suitable to Swaati's thick-nibbed, sundar, love-filled writing.
Thanks to you, Raju, for choosing this essay and making me realise that things that are banal givens in my life might be moving and transformative for others 💓