essays • stories • interviews • poetry • art
essays • stories
interviews • poetry • art

Kripa Bhatia and the ‘Architecture of Menstruation’

Kripa is an illustrator and writer based in Mumbai. The characters in her books are real people derived from her association with the grassroots. Her art is rooted in her engagement with her city Mumbai, its children, people and their problems. She is committed to making books accessible to children from all walks of life by helping communities set up libraries. Kripa started teaching Art and Design after completing Fine Art from Sir JJ school of Art. She has been an Art educator for over 22 years, and worked with institutions like Srishti school of Art design and technology. She is Art1st’s Art-Eductor grantee for the year 2023-24. Her book Art is a Voice has won awards and accolades both Indian and international. The book is currently being published by Resistancia publishing house in Mexico and is published by Intelikti publishing house in Georgia.

Inspired by the stories and lived experiences captured in Period Matters, Kripa Bhatia’s artwork explores the “architecture of menstruation” — the different rooms and spaces women inhabit during their periods, shaped by choice, culture, religion, family traditions, or social imposition.

The stories in Period Matters moved her to look closely at the physical spaces associated with menstruation and translate these intimate, often unseen experiences into visual form. Her illustrations bring to life the many ways in which menstruation can determine where women may go, where they are expected to stay, and how they experience their own homes and surroundings during their menstrual cycle. Through this work, Kripa captures the diversity of menstrual experiences, making visible the political, religious, cultural, and social realities embedded within these spaces.

Kripa Bhatia is a Mumbai-based illustrator and writer whose work is deeply rooted in her engagement with people, children, and grassroots communities, and who is committed to making books accessible to children from all walks of life.