Idu mane naa? Is this home?
Video
Anuva Dwibedy
Concept Note
When I moved to Bangalore for college last year, I found myself immersed in a new culture and space that, over time, began to feel like home. This transit led me to question what "home" truly means, realizing it’s more than just a geographic location. It’s shaped by the shared experiences and habits we form with the people around us. As I settled into Bangalore, I began noticing the unique elements that give this city its distinct character, gradually grounding my sense of belonging.
One of these elements is the Drishti Gombe, or Drishti Bommai—a traditional figure often placed at the entrances of homes and welcoming spaces across Southern India, symbolizing protection and warmth. To me, the Drishti Gombe became a fitting metaphor for Bangalore itself. Just as this figure guards and embraces those who enter, the city seems to shield and guide its new residents—fragile, uncertain, and on unfamiliar paths. As I’ve come to see myself, building a sense of belonging here, in transit.
Artist Bio
Anuva is a second-year student at Srishti Manipal Institute of Art and Design Technology in Bangalore, originally from Mumbai. As an aspiring industrial designer and passionate illustrator, she thrives on working with fine-liners and mixed media. She’s been diving into digital art recently. Her art usually centers retro-futuristic visuals, order and chaos often using ‘type’ as an added element to her pieces. You can find her work at @anuving.