Chapter 8: Discovering the Self Through Life and Art: The Little-Grand Narrative of Sonabai Rajawar

Often our work defines our ‘self’, and our ‘self’ can extend on to the work we do. What if the self merges in art created later in our lifetime, and is indecipherable from the genius we produce? This is the story of Sonabai Rajawar—a story of simplicity and artistic brilliance that lends itself to a gripping study of personhood as enmeshed in cultural fabric; a small narrative constituting the unmistakable grand narrative of self, culture and society.

Using the tools of biographical narrative, delving into the domain of a psychobiography, this chapter presents lessons on personhood and self within the cultural backdrop of the life of artist Sonabai Rajawar, from the Indian state of Chattisgarh. It is the story of child marriage, social isolation, patriarchy, enterprise, autonomy, creative genius, fame and unprecedented recognition extending the frontiers of art and selfhood.