One of the most well known story from Vishnu Purana is that of ‘Samundra Manthan’ - churning of the ocean for ‘Amrita’ - Divine Nectar. Where Vishnu takes the form of a beautiful ‘Apsra’ - Demigoddess to enchant the Asuras and distribute the nectar to the gods. With hints of playfulness, gender fluidity and an important spiritual message this story encapsulate an important message that the good and the bad lies within all of us but it’s upto us what we bring out into the world.
Mohini (Enchanter) is a retake on Indian design sensibilities which was known for it’s Karigari (Workmanship) and opulence and an attempt to revive the Ganga Jamuni tahzib where the story is inspired by othe hindu mythology but the form inspiration and material use is taken from the art connoisseurs that were the Mughals.
Taking inspiration by the different motifs which held cultural significance like the Swan(elegance and purity also vahan for Goddess IRA/ Saraswati), Fish (prosperity and abundance), Mango leaves( Symbol of wealth and fertility), Shankha(Water, fertility and the cosmos), Lotus (purity). All these symbols come together to give form and shape to the diviness that is - Mohini