“Amma, stop drawing a pottu on my face everyday, it’s not cool anymore, nobody wears it except me.”
A poignant video performance , shedding light on the pottu's cultural significance in India. Through a durational act, Aparna applies pottus to her face under a white veil, reflecting on the societal branding and stereotypes associated with this traditional adornment. As the veil is lifted, Aparna challenges these perceptions by adorning herself with multiple pottus, blurring the lines of caste, community, and preconceived notions. This powerful exploration prompts viewers to reconsider the pottu as a symbol of empowerment and individuality, inviting them to see beyond stereotypes and embrace the complexity of identity.