Listen to the podcast as Manjula Padmanabhan shares insights on her unconventional journey as a comic-strip artist and science fiction author, challenging norms and societal expectations. Explore topics like navigating identity, embracing creativity, transforming criticism into motivation, and the impact of societal perceptions on assault and sex work. Delve into personal anecdotes, reflections on personal belongings, and the evolution of creativity in a digital world.
Manjula Padmanabhan's unique experiences as an outsider shaped her sense of self early on.
Art and writing evolved together for Manjula, nurtured by family talents and high standards.
Manjula embraces non-conformity, straying from societal expectations around femininity and conventional paths.
Developing self-worth and commitment to excellence stemmed from early experiences under mentors like Jehange Patel.
Working with editors who valued visual creativity enhanced Manjula's artistic integrity and trust in expression.
Bhutan experience marked a significant personal transformation for Manjula, exposing her to a different culture and beliefs.
Deep dives
Influences and Formative Years
The speaker recalls influences that shaped her sense of self early on, noting her mother's aspirations, family dynamics, and lack of exposure to conventional pressures. Through voracious reading and magazine subscriptions like Ms. magazine, she engaged with feminist ideology, gradually questioning its fit with her life. Living outside traditional norms and stereotypes, she reflects on her unique experiences and distances herself from societal expectations, especially around femininity and conventional life paths.
Artistic Journey and Personal Development
Exploring her artistic journey, the speaker describes being gifted in drawing and writing from a young age, influenced by family talents. Art became a more tangible and marketable creative outlet, evolving alongside her writing. Despite lacking formal training, her instinct and exposure to art alongside supportive but high standards in the family nurtured her artistic development. She navigated the intersection of art and writing, acknowledging her unique path in the creative realm.
Challenges and Self-Reflection
Reflecting on her creative process and identity, the speaker delves into the challenges of critiquing works within a creative family context. Despite facing artistic and societal expectations, she preserved her individuality and developed a distinct style. Expressing her art alongside internal debates on femininity, societal norms, and unconventional life choices, she embraced her peculiar journey, straying from traditional roles and finding contentment in her non-conformity.
The Influence of High Standards on Artistic Development
Immersion in detailed work and a focus on excellence from an early job under Jehange Patel instilled a sense of worth and appreciation for quality in the artistic journey. The attention to detail, reinforced by experiences in press work and high standards of artistic work, set a bar for striving towards improvement and honing skills in the art form.
Evolution of Artistic Values through Editor Interactions
Collaborations with editors like Darryl de Monté and Vinod Mehta, who valued the visual aspect of work, further shaped artistic values. Darryl's appreciation for conceptual illustrations and Vinod Mehta's trust in allowing creative freedom with projects reflected a deep respect for artistry, fostering a sense of trust and empowerment in artistic expression.
Self-Worth and Artistic Integrity
The development of self-worth and respect for artistic integrity through interactions with editors and experience in detailed work showcased a commitment to quality and a drive for excellence. Treating artistic projects with care and aiming for high standards became integral to the artist's journey, emphasizing the importance of values in shaping artistic growth and direction.
Introduction to a New Life
The narrator describes a significant turning point in their life, highlighting how they were invited to Bhutan to illustrate English language textbooks, marking a substantial shift from their familiar routine. The unique opportunity in Bhutan led to a profound personal transformation, exposing them to Mahayana Buddhism and a culture vastly different from their own.
Creative Culmination
The narrator discusses the creation of their comic strip character, Suki, delving into the evolution of Suki's character from being loosely based on the narrator to becoming a distinct individual with her own traits and adventures. They reflect on the phases of Suki's representation in different contexts, from the early Sunday Observer strips to the later Pioneer Suki, highlighting the challenges and evolution of their artistic process.
Exploring Artistic Frustrations
The narrator candidly shares their experiences with artistic recognition and challenges within the creative community, revealing the complex dynamics of jealousy and bitterness that can arise. They express a sense of detachment from their work once it transitions to other mediums, like film adaptations, and emphasize the importance of remaining true to their artistic vision despite external perceptions.
Impact of 9/11 on Personal Experiences
The podcast delves into the personal experiences surrounding the 9/11 tragedy, drawing parallels to other significant historical events like the Kennedy assassination. It recounts the moment when the towers fell and the drastic shift in perception and reality it brought for many individuals. The narrative captures the shock, adjustment, and eerie unfamiliarity experienced during the aftermath of the attack, highlighting the stark contrast in security measures between different countries and the lasting impact of such catastrophic events.
Reflections on Relocation and Identity
The episode reflects on the challenges of relocation and the complexities of identity intertwined with personal experiences. It narrates the struggles and adjustments faced while contemplating a move to the US, emphasizing the financial and emotional implications of such a decision. The speaker highlights the notion of 'living a kind of young person's life' while still feeling unsettled and searching for a sense of home and belonging, resonating with the constant quest for comfort and security in ever-changing environments.
Evolution of Artistic Work and Writing Process
The discussion explores the evolution of the speaker's artistic work and writing process, shedding light on the transition from traditional paper-based drawing to digital tools like Photoshop. It outlines the unique challenges and advantages of utilizing technology for creative endeavors, showcasing a shift in creative expression and the impact of tools on artistic outcomes. Additionally, the narrative touches upon the rediscovery of a beloved character, Suki, and reflects on the intimate connection between personal growth, artistic representation, and the creative journey over time.
Challenges of Monetizing Artistic Work
The podcast episode highlights the creator's challenges in monetizing artistic work, particularly focusing on a comic strip character named Suki. The creator emphasizes that Suki was always intended to be a means of earning a living and not a hobby. Despite having the ability to continually produce Suki, the creator refrains from doing so due to the lack of financial viability. The episode discusses the contrasting popularity of Suki compared to traditional comic strips from established outlets, shedding light on the economic complexities underlying comic creation and distribution.
Community & Creativity in Later Years
The podcast delves into the creator's journey of rediscovering community and collaboration later in life through an art gallery experience. By joining a cooperative gallery with fellow artists, including older individuals, the creator finds a supportive environment that enriches their artistic endeavors. The episode explores the transformative impact of being part of a community of working artists, where mutual support and a shared passion for art foster creativity and self-discovery. This newfound sense of belonging and acceptance propels the creator to produce more work, engage with exhibitions, and embrace new artistic horizons, signaling a rejuvenation and redefinition of their artistic identity.
