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Evening tea with Aarohi

With every turn I made towards my dream, I met some really inspiring people.
Aarohi is one such person whom I met on the virtual world through a common friend.

She is based in Bangalore.
She is a big dog lover and a brilliant painter.

It was sometime back, when I wrote to her for sharing her work here on my little platform.
She was kind enough to answer my questions 🙂

So, with sipping the hot tea, presenting here Ms. Aarohi Singh

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(1)
 Me : Please tell me more about ‘Aarohi as an Artist‘.. how important is this role in your life?

Aarohi : It is who I am. I can’t imagine my life without art and creativity in it. And it is not limited to paints, I think it spills over in how my home is, my relationships and even how I cook !!
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(2)
Me : Do you think handmade art could sustain in spite of today’s digital age?
Aarohi : Absolutely. I think today there is scope for everyone. There are so many more opportunities and avenues. That said – work still needs to be done. Maybe in a sense it is slightly harder to sustain hand made because it is obviously more expensive than something that is mass produced.
But there are those who are discerning enough to be willing to pay for quality, creativity                    and originality.
That my work comes as one-of -a kind and/or limited edition I think adds to it’s appeal.
I love that there are those in my patron list who are willing and able to help keep a small                    business like mine alive and hopefully soon help it thrive…
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(3)
Me : Tell me more about “The Poonchh Collection” you did, some pictures and any link where we all can see that awesome collection?

Aarohi : One of the things I want to focus on over and above my usual work, is to do something where I give back. I am all for helping out and paying it forward.
I don’t have money lying around to give away but I do have some skill that can be used to                generate funds to help those less fortunate (at this moment in time) but more in need.

‘The Poonchh Collection‘ is one such endeavor, an effort to help out and not give a hand out.
50% of all profits in perpetuity from the sale of this collection will go to support stray and abandoned dogs.

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The proceeds from this collection will go toThe Voice of Stray Dogs’ unless otherwise specified from time-to-time.
You can read about our support here and here.

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To learn more about the wonderful work that VoSD does, click here.
To read about the genesis of this collection, please click here.
To see styled images of the collection, please click here and here.
To see the awareness campaign posters, please click here.
To see the animation video on Animal Birth Control, please click here.
To see the dog portraits, please click here.
To see Kajal’s sketches, please click here.
To read about the making of this collection here.

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We have also been able to help another organization along the way- The World for All You can read about that here and here.


This year I added another tail to the Poonchh tales with cats….

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Start shopping for:

Meow >> Totebags | Pouches | Wallets

Woof >> Totebags | Pouches | Wallets | Leashes | Cards

(4)
Me : How attached are you with dogs? Do you have pets?

Aarohi : I love animals. My first career wish was to be a zoo keeper! And I love dogs. Absolutely.                     Had them growing up all my life. Now with a hectic schedule and two small children I live vicariously through friends who have dogs!
              I have often been accused of not really ‘being with the cause’ as I don’t have a dog.
My answer is simple – I understand the commitment required to keep a pet and I don’t take               that responsibility lightly.
It is because of that realization, that I will not get a dog home till I can make that                                 commitment in terms of time, energy, space and money.
              Strangely enough people also sometimes pass judgement on why I don’t actually go out                   and rescue.
Again the answer is very simple to me. I can’t right now. My young children and my home                  takes precedence over all else. But I have a skill that can generate some money which in                    turn can help these animals in need. And I know wonderful people who are doing hard core              work on the streets.
I make do for now in hopefully helping them a little bit. And I hopefully make the dog that                much ‘hipper’ and ‘with it’ in the process.
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(5)
Me: What do you think about the lack of originality in ideas, as I found in your post that some designers copied your hand painted design into a digital printed bag?
Aarohi : There is nothing that is original in this world. Everything in some sense is based on                                inspiration drawn from nature or what already exists around us. That said, I wish others would expend their energy in at least trying to give voice to their inner thought and vision instead of copying someone else’s work ‘as is’. That is not just unethical. It is plain lazy.
It is a disservice to their own artistic voice. But there will always be those that copy to                        make a quick buck…
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(6)
Me: I found a lot of portrait from the rural parts of India, What’s the connection?
Aarohi : I love my country and her people. I have had the privilege to have traveled this great land while my father served in various parts of the country.
And I love the rustic nature of her people. The faces that have weathered so much.
But I do get what you say about the suited booted. That too will happen.
Somehow I have just not found the time. Or maybe somewhere not been inspired enough.                 Yet.
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(7)
Me: Who is your inspiration on this journey? 
Aarohi: Life. All of it. The people. The places. Dreams. Hopes. Desires. Loss. Grief. Ecstasy. All of it.
Do check her Website , which includes her Shop.
Picture Credits: Art by Aarohi

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