Cause and effect

Over the years, youngsters have found newer ways to express their thoughts and views. Some blog, some write journals and poems, while some post videos.

But 17-year-old Viva Motwani felt that writing a book would be the best way to vent. Her book Unmasked deals with all the issues that a teenager goes through.

That done, Viva is also organising an art exhibition, the proceeds of which will go towards a social cause.

How did all this come about? Apparently, while working on an art project at school, Viva was drawn towards issues that teenage girls commonly face. She says, “A lot of teenage girls are pressured into looking and acting in a particular way due to society. My biggest motivator for writing Unmasked was the question why I had to wear contact lenses instead of glasses while going out. The idea for the book started from there.”

This 17-year-old avers that apart from looks, the book also touches upon topics like education, clothing, etc. When she realised that she had so much to say, the idea of writing a book was born. “I was inspired by TV shows, movies and social media. The book is non-fiction and, in each chapter, I talk about different issues,” she explains, adding that it took her over two years to write. What’s unique is that the writing is accompanied by some of Viva’s artwork as well.

Was it difficult to get published? She replies, “I knew how I wanted the book to look, the kind of cover it needed, etc, therefore it was quite easy to get it published.” Though she initially feared the reaction she would get from her friends, she was quite surprised at all the support she received instead. Now, the published author is looking forward to her first art show too. “Throughout, my family has been very supportive. My mother was always on hand if I needed a painting to be framed. For the exhibition, they helped a lot in terms of organising the place, food, etc,” she adds. The art show will have donated artwork from students and other artists too.

Viva, who is a student of the Mallya Aditi International School, says, “I have always wanted to host my own show after I had donated a painting to another exhibition. Though we are still collecting, I will be exhibiting over 50 pieces, ranging from sketches to large paintings.” Talking about what will happen to the funds collected via this, Viva says, “All the funds will go towards art education of underprivileged kids, because, unlike us, they don’t even have art as a subject at school,” she says, adding that she is working on art pieces focusing on cruelty towards humans and animals.