The sisterhood of the travelling ragas

Chennai’s small, yet tight-knit model community has come together for a stunning photo and video tribute that merges fashion and music. Featuring 12 of the city’s models (many of them who double up as entrepreneurs, singers, actors etc), the video that will release tonight across social media, attributes a musical instrument and a raga’s qualities to each woman — and showcases their friendship.

Titled Aham Bhramasmi (I am the infinite reality) the music video is conceptualised and directed by  Ratikha Venugopal, who pulled off this feat with consummate ease. And not to mention — a lot of class and glam! “I have been modelling since I was 13 years old. During this journey, I have met a lot of people and women who have made an impact on me. I picked 12 ragas, which suited the personalities of these models all around me, who deserve the spotlight. Connecting music with women has never happened before, and I really wanted to pioneer that. A person who understands music knows that each raga has characteristics of its own — and I have picked those which showcased the personalities of these lovely ladies,” explains Ratikha. She elaborates, “Music plays a vital role in everyone’s life, but how many of us realise that it can actually enhance what we feel? It has the power to get us immersed in it and heal us from even chronic mental and physical issues. This gave me the motivation to bring music and women together,” she adds.

Actress and model Deekshitha Manikkam, one of the models who shot for the video, says, “It is a very interesting initiative by Ratikha. Our costumes are exclusively designed. Be it the colour and feel — they are matched perfectly, with each model representing one specific instrument and one raga. It is a novel concept. Usually, we do commercial photoshoots, but this was something exciting and different. I am happy to be a part of this project.”

Ashwathy Ravikumar, part of the music video too, shares, “I was glad when Ratikha called me and asked me to be a part of this. She is one of those people who have an amazing bond with all the models in Chennai. The models in the city work in harmony and are very supportive of each other. Rather than being picky and creating an issue, people can get together and come up with such creative stuff. We have proved that now!”

Ratikha, on her part, adds, “I am proud to say that nowhere in India will you find such a fantastic sisterhood, and models supporting each other in all ways of life. We are like a family sharing a beautiful bond encouraging and complementing each other to make this project successful.” The costumes have been  designed under the label, ‘Flaunt by Ratikha’, at her mother’s clothing unit. While the music is a remix, the cinematography is by  Suresh and Vinod.