Sangeetha's Museum Inspired Nail Art

Arab American Festival Nails

This nail design was inspired by the rich, diverse, unique cultures of the Arab people. I recently launched my own Arabic Calligraphy / Print line titled IhsanIshan Design. Ihsan - Beauty in Arabic, Ishan - Omnipresent in Sanskrit 

wwww.ihsanishan.com 

https://www.instagram.com/ihsanishandesign/

https://www.facebook.com/ihsanishandesign

I’m Hindu, Indian American (born and raised in California & NYC) but I do Arabic/Islamic Calligraphy. Some find it odd,  others interesting!  Why Arabic Calligraphy? I was the head designer for the Metropolitan Museum for close to 5 years, the Islamic galleries reopened in 2011. I wanted to learn an art form that ties all “Islamic” cultures together. For example Moroccan Islamic Art and Indian Islamic Art look very different! The art form of Arabic Calligraphy is found throughout the Islamic art world from decorating houses of worship to transcribing holy books, a language of faith. Also, I studied Communication Design at Parsons, I am a huge type nerd!  I have a degree in Arabic Calligraphy from NYU.

Rooted in tradition with modern/luxe touches (I’ve worked for years in the luxury fashion industries) my line aims to educate the public about our beautiful “brown” diverse cultures and religions, each piece has a unique story/concept behind it. I call it the “American Silk Road” Get it? Interexchange of ideas and concepts! 

I was asked to participate by the Arab American Association of NYC in their annual bazaar. They were fascinated by the fact that I am not Arab or Muslim but I do Arabic/Islamic calligraphy. I was received with affection, warmth, and smiles. I felt very welcomed and loved! Fantastic day! 

EID MUBARAK NAILS

The holy month of Ramadan concluding with Eid June 4th, was extremely special for me! I am a practicing Hindu and serve as the Hindu Chaplin at NYU. Two of my closest friends are Imams : Imam Khalid Latif (Sunni, Director of the Islamic Center) & Sheikh Faiyaz (Shi’a Imam & scholar). 

I spent the holy month with all my friends at the Islamic Center at NYU. Learning, volunteering, breaking fast, learning how to forgive those who had crossed us etc.  It was magical, sweet, special month concluding with the beautiful holiday of Eid. I had not one but two very special Eid (Sunni & Shia) celebrations! I feel very blessed! 

Why do I love Eid so much?  I see all my close family and friends fasting through the month of Ramadan (it’s quite tough fasting 12 -15 hours a day then leading lectures/prayers, I don’t know how my imam friends do it!) Folks buckle down and cleanse their heart of negativity learn to forgive and truly grow closer to the divine. After a tough month it’s nice to see everyone get together in beautiful outfits and celebrate Eid together! I absolutely love it! 

IHSAN ISHAN Design Launch

I serve as the Hindu Chaplain at NYU, presented my solo exhibition of Arabic Calligraphy artwork at NYU entitled "Allah Swami."Allah and Swami both mean “God “in Arabic and Sanskrit, respectively. The purpose behind the exhibition is to provide some background on lesser known aspects of these cultures and to show how disparate things like Hinduism and Arabic calligraphy actually have parallels and can be combined seamlessly.  Along with the exhibit, I presented a pop up shop ( Ihsan-Ishan Design) of clothing and textiles inspired by the exhibition. Part of the proceeds from sales was given to the charity Yemen Aid, directly benefiting women and children. This was inspired by "Annadhanam," the Hindu sacred tradition of giving. Young musicians Rishab Sharma (Sitar) and Azam Ali Khan (Tabla) provided musical accompaniment for the event. 

Ihsan translates to “do beautiful things" in Arabic. Ishan means "omnipresent or omnipotent" in Sanskrit.  Ihsan-Ishan is a culmination of my main passions in life- faith and design. Ihsan-Ishan aims to educate the world about lesser known stories, concepts and ideas through art and design. Products include textiles, art prints, and accessories. Luxury techniques and finishes have been applied to create a unique product line.  This line aims to be universal, unisex and timeless. My interpretation of combining Ihsan and Ishan is “Faith is Beauty. Beauty is Omnipresent. Knowledge is Beauty.”

I have the logo for IhsanIshan on my nails. The whole process 4 hours to apply glitter and form the stones in the shape of the logo.

IHsanISHan Logo - The crescent moon is significant in both Islam and Hinduism.

In Hinduism, Lord Shiva (The lord of dance) is depicted with it in his hair.

Bharatanatyam is a classical dance from South India and the first form of dance I learned. These dancers wear a crescent moon in their hair along with a sun ornament.

The crescent is also represented in the shape of nose rings South Indian temple goddesses are adorned with. The shape appears again in the fanned out portion of their Saris (traditional Indian garments.)

I chose purple in reference to the color of the sunset (significant in Islam) and because it is associated with Lord Shiva and the cosmos.

This particular shade was influenced by the rich luxe lipstick shades I worked with in the fashion industry.

I wanted the logo to feel ornamental, like a piece of jewelry. "Ihsan" is written on the right, "Ishan" is written on the left in stylized Kufic script.

Nowruz Mubarak / Holi Hai Nail Design

Nowru,  Norooz, Nawrouz, Newroz, Novruz, etc Is the Persian New Year, celebrated in Iran, Afghanistan, India, Central Asia etc. Holi is the Hindu festival of colors celebrated in North India. Both social, colorful, happy holidays they celebrate the spring equinox which fell on March 21. 

I am Tamil American, or South Indian. South Indians do not celebrate Holi, that is a tradition of North India, where folks douse each other with colorful powder to celebrate spring. I have never celebrated Holi in my life. 

I do have a lot of Afghan and Persian friends so I have celebrated Nowruz for a very long time. Both of these holidays are more cultural than religious, though there are beautiful, meaningful, rich traditions, rituals behind each one, it varies from culture to culture, family to family.

I painted this peacock design card for my Afghan/Persian friends and family, it says Nowruz Mubarak, or happy Nowruz! Peacock feathers symbolize beauty, royalty, knowledge, they are important in Persian culture (used as bookmarks for the holy Quran) and Hindu culture (Goddess Saraswati (knowledge), Lord Krishna (Love), Lord Muruga (Victory), Goddess Lakshmi (beauty) are all depicted wearing them

My nail design celebrates the spirit of these two beautiful holidays. Holographic purple foil base with jewels and ornaments on top. The whole process 3 hours.

 Shivarathri (Lord Shiva’s night) 2019

Ohm Namaha Shivaya! 

March 4, 2019 marks the Hindu holiday of Shiva Rathri or Shiva’s night.  

Lord Shiva the formless, limitless, transcendent and unchanging absolute Brahman (God). He’s known to be a complex figure, but in reality he is pure love. 

In South Indian Hinduism, when one is born their stars are marked, mine is Thiruvadurai Nachathram or Arudhra, meaning I am born directly under Lord Shiva’s star so I share a lot of his personality traits. My sister,  Ashwini Star (Twin Doctors) she’s a pediatrician. 

1. Nataraja (Lord of Dance) & Patron Lord of Yoga & Meditation - he is the lord of dance, all classical Indian dance forms always have pieces dedicated to him in their repertoire. This shows the importance of both mental and physical health. He gave the secrets of yoga to sage Patanjali (the author of Patanjali sutras, which most yoga schools follow). 

2. Bolenath (Kind hearted One) - Even demons who prayed to him had their wishes full filled. Ravana (the demon king of the epic Ramayana) wrote the Shiva Tandava Stotram - dance of Lord Shiva, he played all night on the veena (stringed musical instrument) for his beloved Lord Shiva.

3. Family Man - The only deity with a family. Lord Vishnu the preserver incarnates to earth (Lord Krishna, Rama, etc) Lord Shiva is steadfast in his love for his wife and children. Count’em 5 kids! Lord Ganesha (came from Parvati), Lord Murugan (came from the sparks from Shiva’s head), Lord Ayyapa (his son with Lord Vishnu), a daughter Ashokasundari, and a demon kid Andhaka (born from the sweat of Parvati’s hand closing Shiva’s 3rd eye)

4. Ideal Husband (equals) - he loves to be left alone (meditating on a mountain), but his beloved wife Goddess Parvati “woke” him to her, she loved him with her entire being, she is Shakti or power behind the supreme God. 

Her meditation/penance won his heart not her physical beauty she is his equal, he can not do anything without her.  He’s a one woman man and loves her passionately. 

5. Ardhanadeeshwara (half man/half woman)- he merged with Parvati, forming half man/half woman. The transgender/genderless divine, showing that mankind comes in all different forms. All is divine. 

6. Openminded, tolerant, benevolent one-  he does not care for caste, gender, or creed all are equal. There are 63 poet saints of Tamil Nadu (in South India) called the Nayanars who sang in praise of Lord Shiva, some women, some from what was considered lower castes (society can be jerks ) some farmers, some illiterate, some royalty, all walks of life and he loved them right back. 

7. Ever loving, compassionate father- he gave Lord Ganesha the highest honor (above all deities) no Hindu worship (no matter what denomination you belong to) begins with Lord Ganesha’s prayer.  Lord Muruga (his younger son) mad locks Lord Shiva up, as a patient father with his son, he gives Lord Muruga the respect of a guru (teacher) takes his son in his lap and lets him reveal the secrets of creation and the meaning of “OHM”.

8. Lingham - the male and female principles fused as one. Meaning male/female are equals. Because the lingam is round it showcases God is formless, never ending, limitless, no beginning and no end. All encompassing, pervasive, mighty God. 

9. Chandrashekar (one with a crescent moon in his hair)- Chandra means moon, Shekar a crown.  Lord Shiva doesn’t care for material possessions or fancy clothes or bling, wearing serpents, ash, rosary beads, matted hair, an animal skin. Sometimes known as Digambara (naked one). 

Lord Vishnu horrified when he sees Lord Shiva’s appearance with his matted hair, odd fashion choices, weird crew of followers,  coming to marry Goddess Parvati (Lord Vishnu’s sister and Goddess of Beauty) takes the moon (Chandra) which represents light and beauty, transforms Lord Shiva into a handsome bridegroom perfect to marry his beloved sister. 

10. Lord Ayyapa - Lord Shiva’s son with Lord Vishnu. Lord Ayyapa (his main pilgrimage center/temple is in the South Indian state of Kerala). Yes two male deities had a son, this showcases unity, respect, equality for all mankind and beings. We are all equal under mighty God.  Ayyapa the celibate, virgin deity, known as Harihara putran, the son of Hari (Vishnu) and Haran (Lord Shiva). Hardcore fasts and penances are taken during the month of December to access the temple (atop 18 hills) in January. It is beautiful and incredible to see! 

Here is my nail art dedicated to Shankar Bhagavan (another name for Lord Shiva), lingam shape, middle crescent moon on his forehead,  3 lines of viboothi or ash (to remind us to check our egos at the door everything turns to ash eventually), pointer/index animal skin, thumb the trident, and pinky the third eye of Lord Shiva. 

Vikings / Tough Punk Nail Design

Sometimes you have to remind yourself how tough you are. This nail design was inspired by life and circumstances. I came through a rough year in 2018, only to remind myself that I am stronger, fiercer, and tougher than I ever was before. Life happens, the good, the bad, the ugly, its how you view your circumstances is what keeps you going. 

You can :

A. either be angry, sad, vengeful and fill your heart/ head with hate. 

or 

B. choose love, wellness, goodness, kindness. I find it easier to love than to hate. Fight through the bad thoughts and move forward! 

I also binge watched Vikings. Such an amazing, beautiful show. I loved the concept, learning about their culture, and religion. I visited Iceland last year and went to the Viking museum which was beautiful. 

The costumes on the show are gorgeous! I have always been fascinated by weaponry, arms, and armor. How can something so deadly be designed so beautifully? Amazing! 

I used chrome powder for the base, accented by spikes, studs, and stones.

Caged Diamond / Holiday Nail Art

This nail design is more conceptual in nature. I had started thinking and reflecting about 2018 and all that has happened. It’s had it share of major ups, downs, twists, turns, but my love interest has remained steadfast. I don’t know why no matter how I try to forget, move on my love, is steadfast. I reflect a year ago I questioned what love was through my nail design, and that night I met my love. It has scared me, overwhelmed me, confused me, thrilled me, felt perfect, felt anxious, full speed ahead, full stop, calmed me. Over a year has passed it still remains. In my brown desi culture especially everyone is obsessed with marriage, constantly comparing and pointing fingers if one is not married. It’s majorly fucked up, plus it fucks up people’s mindsets really good! It’s appalling.

 In my faith a marriage is about pure love, unconditional reciprocated, inspirational love, it is not arranged but hearts are chosen, longing is fulfilled through prayer. Where two people are bonded in inspiration, compassion, faith, mutual respect and understanding. It’s not about how big a wedding is, how much jewelry, how many blinged out saris/sherwanis, groom on a horse,  what religion one is or race is etc. It is not a box you tick off on your life to do list. That is something I never agreed with or wanted for myself. 

PEACOCK NAILS

My peacock inspired nail design. A peacock is probably the most beautiful of all birds; a symbol of beauty, power, royalty, kindness, compassion, and loyalty. Associated with numerous Hindu & Buddhist deities, they are also found in Greek, Babylonian, and Persian Art. The “eye” of the peacock represents “all seeing” in Christianity along with being a holy symbol. Additionally, the peacock represents resurrection, renewal and immortality within the spiritual teachings of Christianity. 

The peacock is also a symbol of transformation.  I was thinking about the idea of “ego” when I designed this. Numerous scriptures in all religions speak of renouncing the “ego”, surrendering yourself to the divine, or will of the universe or whatever you believe in. No matter how much one “shows off” like a peacock, in the end ultimately everything is Inshallah. I truly believe that.  A beautiful peacock can also remind us that we can rise out of our darkest moments. It speaks about killing the ego-self, being reborn into a new life of awareness, spirituality and illumination.

On the other hand ego isn’t a bad thing, “proud as a peacock”. It’s not about being “cocky, or showing off”, instead a peacock reminds us it’s about knowing your worth, valuing yourself, and not taking shit from anyone. Sometimes it’s okay to flaunt our stuff and show off our skills, and be grateful for any opportunity that is presented no matter the size. 

Diwali / Deepavali 2018 Nail Design

Happy Deepavali ! Happy Diwali ! Diwali Mubarak! My nail art design and Arabic calligraphy design. “Deepa” means light in Sanskrit (language of scriptures). Deepavali is the Hindu festival of lights. Celebrating good over evil. Letting the light in to illuminate the path of goodness.  Diwali is the name in Hindi (local language) Diwali is a shared religious holiday for Hindus, Sikhs, Jains, and Buddhists. Yet the most social of all Hindu holidays, everyone is out eating sweets, buying new clothes, and cleaning their homes! All of India celebrates together regardless of religion. Millions of people around the world celebrate Diwali – it’s an official holiday in India, Pakistan, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Singapore, Fiji, Myanmar, Trinidad and Tobago. In places like, Australia, England, United States there are fireworks and street festivals attended by tens of thousands of people.

Hindu religious traditions for the South and North vary. In Southern India, its believed Lord Krishna vanquished the evil demon Narakasura (good over evil) In the North Lord Rama vanquisher evil demon Ravana. Both good over evil. Shopkeepers and business people conduct Lakshmi Puja, to welcome the Goddess of wealth / prosperity into their homes. In general throughout India is a celebration of good over evil, fireworks, love, joy, happiness and light. It’s the New Year! 

My nail design is inspired by light, sparklers, and diyas. A diya is a traditional lamp lit for Deepavali. Middle/thumb finger have 3D crystals with sparklers shooting upward. The pointer/ring have red rhinestones creating a “diya” shape with a chain. The whole process 3.5 hours. 

Devi Navarathri Nail Design 2018   

Devi Navarathri (Hindu holiday is Oct 9-Oct 18.  9 nights of the Goddess. First 3 Goddess Durga (energy), next 3 Goddess Lakshmi (wealth), last 3 Goddess Saraswati (knowledge). A total woman empowerment holiday celebrating the female divine 😍🙏

Navarathri honors the Devi, the great Goddess and divine Mother.  Devi is a collective term for all forms of the female divine. 

Goddess Durga (who came out of the light of the 3 main principle deities of Hinduism Shiva, Vishnu, Brahma) she is pure energy or shakti, born to kill a demon Mahishaswhara (it took her 10 days) 

There are spectacular grand celebrations throughout India honoring the Goddess, some highlights :

Durga puja from the Eastern states of Bengal & Orissa. Golu puja (festival of dolls) from South Indian states of Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Kerala, & Andra Pradesh.

Middle/thumb trident to represent energy or shakti no male deity in Hinduism can do nothing without his female counterpart or energy. Lord Shiva has Paravati, Lord Vishnu to Lakshmi, Brahma to Saraswati, the holy trinity to name a few 😃🙏

One thing I never understood, Hinduism worships the divine as female as well as male and as genderless/formless and women are given equal rights in all Hindu scriptures, why culturally are women treated so poorly? I see/hear all this nonsense/crap going on in India and many parts of the world, breaks my heart 😥

Ganesha Chathurthi Nail Design 2018 

Jai Shri Ganesha! Happy Happy Ganesha Chathuri! My absolute favorite holiday of the year, I look forward to this day all year 🙏🙏🙏Ganesha the first Lord of Hinduism, no matter how you follow the faith everyone must say the first prayer to Lord Ganesha.

I made a hot pink eco friendly dissolvable clay Ganesha cause why not? pink/purple are my favorite colors. The significance behind making a dissolvable Ganesha (you dissolve him in a moving body of water, either an ocean, river, lake, Sanskrit term for this action “visarjana”) is this : Lord Ganesha is the Lord of Wisdom, God of Luck, Lord of New Beginnings,  and Remover of All Obstacles. By dissolving his image you are praying please Lord absolve me of all my sins and grant me a new beginning. 

Middle/thumb - head with crown, Ganesha has an elephant head which represents intelligence/wisdom and huge ears to listen to devotees problems

Pointer - noose, if you see Ganesha sculptures his back right hand holds a noose to pull your problems closer to him, that is the shape created using stones. 

Ring - axe, Ganesha uses the noose to pull problems closer and axe to chop them off 😊

Jai Shri Hanuman Nails

Who is Lord Hanuman? Lord Hanuman is the monkey faced deity in Hinduism. His father is Vayu the Lord of Wind and mother an apsara (celestial maiden) cursed to be born with a monkey face, hence baby Hanuman has a monkey face. He is depicted as a powerful strongman, heroic, with intense devotion and faith to Lord Rama. Every Hindu aims to have ultimate faith like Lord Hanuman. He is a bachelor deity focused only on his beloved Lord Rama.  He is one of the central characters of the Hindu epic Ramayana (the story of Lord Rama). He is also found in Buddhism and Jainism.  He combines two of the most cherished traits in the Hindu worship traditions: "heroic, strong, assertive excellence" and "loving, emotional devotion to personal god. He is the patron God of martial arts, wresting, body building, etc. Almost every gym in India would have a statue or photo of him.

I designed this nail design thinking of him. The thumb and middle finger have his “gadai” or mace/weapon. With the pointer and index depicting the sun. There is a wonderful story in Hinduism, that when Hanuman was a child he lept for sun thinking it was a fruit to be eaten. The Lord of Thunder, Indra was alarmed (because if the Sun got eaten all life would cease to exist) and threw his thunderbolt at him, Hanuman fell and broke his jaw (hence the name one having a jaw (hanu) that is prominent (mant))  When Vayu (Lord of Wind) saw his baby son lying there, he got angry and stopped the flow of air (all life would cease to exist) Indra apologized and granted Hanuman a boon that he would be able to change his form at will, never get hurt,  and will always be brave and strong.

I used various stones and gold studs to create the gadai and the sun. I think the color palette ended up looking a bit  like the Byzantine Empire or Versace.

ICELAND (LAND OF FIRE & ICE) NAIL DESIGN

This Nail design was inspired by my recent trip to the beautiful country of Iceland. I have always heard of the natural beauty of Iceland, the land of fire and ice. Glaciers, volcanos, natural formations, hot springs in 20 degree weather. So interesting and fascinating! Literally the land of fire and ice, hot volcanos and ice cold glaciers. 

My trip was wonderful. The natural beauty of the land is breathtaking and the people are really sweet and excited to share their cultural heritage with visitors. 

Gym Time / Fitness Nails

I have been training like a champion since last October. I have no idea what I am training for but all I know is that I love working out and the gym and how I feel after I have done 200 situps, chin ups, pull ups, squats, burpees, planks etc. 

I have a wonderful trainer named Wendell (we are great friends now) whom I work out with plus a great group of workout buddies. I used to be terrified of gym equipment, weights, and even going, first off laziness, who doesn’t like to stay in bed watch netfilx and eat popcorn? Second of all you see all these “hot men / bodies” and get intimidated (now nothing scares me, I’ve seen it all and its nothing new to me)  But I realized after working with Wendell, in addition to how incredible you feel after sweating it out for an hour, transforming your body, healing your mind, gaining strength:  working out is an art form, there is a beautiful science behind how you stand, squat, hold your body and pump weights. I see how beautiful a stance or posture can be when you are holding a weight in a 90 degree angle and squatting. Yes it hurts yes sometimes you can’t feel your legs or arms but no pain no gain. I walk taller, stand straighter, have more energy, and all around feel great! 

This nail design is inspired by my fitness and wellness journey to health. Middle finger and thumb have extra large rhinestone with gold studs to form a kettlebell, pointer and index barbells, and pinky medicine balls.

Navagraha / Navaratna Nail Design

“Nava” means the “number 9″ in Sanskrit. In Vedic / Hindu Astrology there are 7 planets ( Sun, the Moon, Mars, Mercury, Jupiter, Venus, and Saturn, and the solar eclipse Rahu and lunar eclipse Ketu.) The Seven planets also coordinate with the days of the week. 

Sunday ( Surya/Sun) Monday (Chandra/Moon) Tuesday (Angaraka/Mangala/Mars) Wednesday (Budha/Mercury) Thursday (Guru/Jupiter) Friday (Shukra/Venus) Saturday (Shani/Saturn)

This design is very South Indian. In Southern India lots of people take astrology very seriously. You will find many people wearing a ring with 9 gemstones, each gem representing a different planet, usually square in design. Men mostly wear it (kind of like a football or fraternity ring) but lots of ladies as well. The ruby is always in the middle representing the sun and our solar system (all planets revolve around the sun). Ruby (maanikyam) for Surya (taraneh)(Sun), Pearl (muktaaphalam) for Chandra (Moon), Red Coral (vidrumam) for Mangala (maaheya) (Mars), Emerald (marakatam) for Budha (saumya) (Mercury) Yellow sapphire (pushparajam) for Brhaspati /Guru (devejya) (Jupiter), Diamond (vajram) for Shukra (asurachaarya) (Venus), Blue sapphire (niilam) for Shani (Saturn), Hessonite (gomeda) or Rahu (the ascending lunar node) Cat's Eye (vaidooryam) for Ketu (the descending lunar node)

You will find the 9 statues of these deities in most large Southern temples, each of them facing a different direction with the sun in the middle. The direction is determined by scriptures. Astrologers create a chart the time of your birth, detailing which planet was in which position, and that directly affects your life positively and  negatively. It is a very interesting and fascinating science. Many folks wear different gemstones to protect them against the evil eye or improve their life according to what the astrologer says. 

Bollywood/Nowruz Fantasy Nails

Holi Hai! Happy Nowruz!! Though it doesn’t feel like spring yet still ❄️in nyc!! My Bollywood dream inspired nail design. I don’t understand/speak Hindi (very few words) but I love the music, dance, jewelry, costumes of Bollywood! 

Holi is the Hindu Festival of Spring and Nowruz is the Persian New Year (also a springtime holiday). I have been watching a lot of Holi “Hai” dance videos of Bollywood and was inspired. Bollywood is such an over the top fantasy movie genre (though folks will argue its NOT fantasy), with gorgeous actors/actresses dancing around in beautiful costumes and jewelry in the most incredible locations (Egyptian pyramids? Eiffel tower?, Great Wall of China?) etc. It really makes no sense. There is always a story but not rooted in reality, if two people are in love in the movie, instead of showing their budding relationship it cuts to a sequence of them dancing in these locations to “represent love/relationship” It’s quite interesting. I guess cause reality sucks and its easier to fantasize? It’s easier to express emotion through music and dance then actually speaking with a person?  I don’t know. In any case I love looking at the costumes/jewelry they are stunning. 

I keep my nails natural and short (for the design/artwork) I do. The base of this design is pure chrome powder not polish carefully applied with a sponge. Stones/pearls placed and built on top ( inspired by my Persian who promised to make me a veil of pearls) There is hard 3D gel built on top to ensure the stones stay in place without snagging. Whole process 3 hours.