Indian Arival Project

Photography by Diana Kahrim

“This endeavor seeks to unite influential women in a collective effort to trace our diaspora. It's an incredible initiative that not only illuminates our cultural heritage but also pays heartfelt homage to our esteemed grandmothers, Nani and Agi, who have adeptly forged the journey we currently navigate. As these empowered women congregate, a potent energy of elevation and empowerment is generated. Collaborating with Meera Singh on this project has been an absolute delight. We eagerly anticipate extending this series as we broaden our exploration of the diaspora on a global level.” -Diana

*The Orhani* Happy Indian Arrival to Guyana 🇬🇾

📌 When we remember our grandmothers, “Agi” and “Nani” we remember the way they prepared to attend a religious or cultural event. The draping of the simple white orhni over the head was a reverent action. It separated the role of this woman in her time from her domestic and matriarchal responsibilities and she stepped into a moment where she looked pious and at peace. The simple way our Agis and Nanis would open this fabric with their hands and drape is an action we remember fondly. We want this photo to honor that action and memory.

Researcher @cutlassmagazine described in his article about the Orhni that this practice is expected to disappear within the next decade. Generations since have gravitated away from adorning the Orhni and some may not see it as progressive. We hope this piece honors the past, highlights the depth of this fabric and to be the voice of their story that they didn’t get a chance to finish.

📌Patricia Raghunandan AKA Sookranie Dhanpat , originally from Mahaica, Guyana 🇬🇾. Patricia has spent her time helping those in need, engaging in her community organizing events to help domestic violence victims, and toy drives to local children.

📌Patricia honors her ancestral identity for Guyana’s Indian Arrival Day (May 05) and hopes the highlight of the custom of the orhni teaches us to carry on this tradition. This orhani was given to her by someone very special and Patricia carried the emotions as she framed her face.

By Meera Singh

A fairy tale chapter from the pages of our culture story

May 10 ,1845 the Fatel Rozack brought the first group of indentured labourers to Trinidad. History tells us the passage from India to the Caribbean was a survival journey, especially for women. Our model and story today portrays a product of survival, a fulfillment of dreams, to be adorned in jewelry and draped in a sari in a form of offering to our ancestor mothers.

Nadia Nalini Singh Neubert was born and raised in Arima Trinidad & Tobago and migrated to the US in 1994. She is a trained Odissi dancer, a form of Indian Classical Dance originating from Orissa. An endearing gratitude to her mother for raising her to be the woman that she is today, but also for steering her into dance training at an early age with Mondira Balkaransingh and Nrityanjali Dance Theater (based in🇹🇹). This training carved the foundation for her strong belief and love for her culture as she learned a lot about the motherland and her religion from her dance training and the guidance of her gurus Bani Ray and Guru Durga Charan Ranbir in the United States. With these influences, she bridged the gap between her West Indian heritage to her East Indian roots. Today she is proud to represent her heritage as a descendant of a caste unknown and irrelevant to her in this modern period but have traced her roots through research from the National Archives of Trinidad and Tobago thanks to her sister Ria, who has been building a family tree to trace the path of her ancestors coming from Uttar Pradesh in India.

In this photo Nadia is showing the jewelry she feels is authentic to the times of her ancestors, as studies have shown India has an abundance of skilled jewelers and craftsmen. Whether it be gold or silver, the artistic ability of our ancestors continues to live on with our remarkable and well-known Indian jewel designs.

Nadia is adorning oxidized silver jewelry by Rasa Nari and Modz India Fashions, the earrings paired with her oxidized silver nath or nose ring and the matching tikka, choker and longer necklace, also a silver cuff and 3 ring set. Contrasting with modern sari draping.

By Meera Singh