Date of Award
Spring 5-22-2026
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Fine Arts (MFA)
Department
Painting
First Advisor
Meena Hasan
Second Advisor
Yasi Alipour
Third Advisor
Dana DeGiulio
Abstract
Baji, how do you breathe in a burqa? Doesn’t it suffocate you? Don't ask too many questions, walk straight, and don’t let go of my hand. Men were standing in the street, and she was trying to avoid them, walking as fast as she could, almost dragging me. I saw a big wedding tent. It was a multi-colored, red, yellow, blue, and green pattern. I asked baji, Is that where we are going? She nodded in affirmation. The tent was beautiful. I saw kids peeking inside the tent, and it reminded me of a time when I was doing the same when there was a tent in my street for some wedding. Looking at weddings is always fun. How the architecture stands tall on the ground with bamboo, ropes, and their tension. I love their colors, flowers, decorations, clothes, and everything at the wedding. When we entered, there was a partition between the male and female sections. I got worried and said, I will go with you. My sister smiled and said, Of course, you are not an adult. It was a relief. The men's section was so boring, all wearing white or black shalwar kameez, no sparkles or fun. The female section was lively, and I felt comfortable around women. Some girls were dancing, wearing their beautiful outfits, all laughing and having fun. Then I saw the bride enter, and I was stunned! She was looking so beautiful in her red sharara, red lipstick, lots of bangles, jewelry, and red flowers in her hair. I told baji, I want to be a bride when I grow up. She laughed, but then her smile faded. She asked me not to mention this in front of mom, dad, or brothers. I didn’t understand, but I got distracted by the girls' dresses. I was observing their dresses, jewelry, and makeup, and picturing myself in that instead of the boring white shalwar kameez I was wearing. We went home after, but I kept thinking about the wedding.
Recommended Citation
Talha, Muhammad Mr, "چھپن چھپائی (Chupan chupai)" (2026). Masters Theses. 1609.
https://digitalcommons.risd.edu/masterstheses/1609
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