Daughters of Kali: Protectors of the Gentle Giants

Acrylic on Canvas / Panel

65”*96”

Elephants are natural matriarchs, led across generations by wise, protective females. In this eco-feminist Phad painting, Sujata Tibrewala honors India’s human matriarchs—five fierce, compassionate women who have devoted their lives to guarding these gentle giants. Invoking the protective energy of Kali, the artwork uses traditional Rajasthani “haveli” architectural panels to weave together the stories of Padma Shri Parbati Barua, Geeta Seshamani, Sonia Jabbar, Padma Shri Suparna Baksi Ganguly, and Dr. Krithi Karanth. Together, they demonstrate that protecting our wild world requires gentle strength, deep empathy, and the courage to share space.