In the month of December 2016, I paid a regular visit to Mawryngkang, a weaving village in Meghalaya where the oor and y-shuttle looms are predominantly used, and to Roilang Livelihood Academy Unit of Bethany Society, Shillong, to learn about the backstrap loom, or loin loom, which is predominantly used all over North East India. Due to its affordability and portability, I’ve brought it back with me to IDC to start a routine of daily practise on it.

The purpose of my research is to dive into the lives of local weavers in Meghalaya to get a sense of the daily practise of weaving as a craft.

The purpose of my project is to study the Meghalaya Matrilineal Society in depth, i.e., the system practised in the state by 80% of the population (tribals) that gives its women lineage importance and inheritance rights and has had a great impact as a boon on the situation of women in the state as compared to the women in the rest of the country but also a grievance to men. The study as well as my personal experiences will be directed towards the compilation of a graphic novel that will subtly focus on talking about the features of society and address the debate of whether it should undergo a transition or not.

Storytelling and writing have been two of my strengths, and my inclination towards visuals and graphics inspired me to do a graphic novel. Although information about the matrilineal culture is accessible, a compelling narrative and visuals would be more engaging to the reader and leave a lasting impression. The novel will be targeted at readers ages 12 and above in Meghalaya but will also be relatable to others.

What drives us to get out of bed every morning? While some of us contemplate what our purpose in life is, others wake up just to put food in their mouths. Every day is a struggle for survival. This project is an attempt to understand the idea of fulfilment and answer the question, "How does living in the 21st century change our understanding of attaining real, lasting, and genuine fulfilment?"

The medium of communication is film. Film is a powerful medium that holds information as well as emotions. The film is a self-documentation of my surroundings and thoughts. It will serve as a reflection of the 21st century’s young adults.