A Reading Path Down a Rabbit Hole: Keerthana Kunnath

Looking Forward

Keerthana Kunnath, Aval (Her), 2021. A subversion of iconic Bollywood tropes, reframing South Asian identity through queer connection and self-expression.

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Soon, she became interested in Kalari—an Indian martial art that originated in Kerala during the 11th century CE. As her research deepened, she stumbled upon a 30-year-old female bodybuilder, Arathy Krishna, and soon found a group of female bodybuilders dotted across the state. She set out to capture their powerful balance of femininity and strength, building her ongoing documentary series, “Not What You Saw.”

Kunnath set out on a road trip to meet each of the bodybuilders where they lived, taking them “out of their gym or workout spaces to a more recognizable Indian backdrop, dressed in traditional outfits, not only to make it relatable to women back in India, but also to juxtapose their powerful physiques with a familiar space and look.” Kunnath photographed the women against serene beaches; resting on a patch of grass in front of a lake; posing against a quintessential Keralan home with a terracotta-tiled roof.

“Not What You Saw”, Keerthana Kunnath

Atmos

I was born and raised in Calicut, southern India into a working class family—a young woman trying to define myself within multiple versions of India and the complexities of small town life. The idea of the family, religion, and caste are deep rooted on the subcontinent; what may seem insignificant to so many of us can play defining roles in an individual life….Today, I am on a journey to revisit the memories of my childhood excursions to temples across the state.

Joy of Small Things, Keerthana Kunnath

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“I think my work is about building a world where I can belong,” says Keerthana Kunnath…The work is a direct response to her experience growing up in India as a Queer woman—navigating societal pressure and exclusion—while desperately trying to live her truth.

“Bollywood illustrates the epitome of life for many in the Indian society,” Kunnath explains. “It’s highly dramatic and hyper-sexualized visions of life, gatekept by male creatives. In these movies, violence against women is romanticized [e.g. women being stalked or disrespected for the entertainment of the male audience.]

Aval, Keerthana Kunnath

Glorious

Among its young progressives are women who see bodybuilding not only as a means to succeed financially but as a source of identity. It’s an all-encompassing way of life, requiring a strict diet, rigorous training, and a significant amount of sacrifice. But in India, pursuing bodybuilding as a woman is not just about strength and discipline; it’s a journey filled with socio-economic and cultural hurdles.

“There’s no break from it! It’s a sport revolved around consistency,” Kee notes. The women speak passionately about their dedication and long-term vision, thriving off the process and bettering themselves for no one else but them.

Not What You Saw, Keerthana Kunnath

It’s Nice That

Not What You Saw, Keerthana Kunnath

British Journal of Photography

As a jewellery designer, I began photographing my designs during my undergraduate studies. After working on successful commercial campaigns in India, I became aware of beauty and gender ideals prevalent in commercial photography, deciding to explore the themes of gender binary and relationships in my own work.

Jannat for Not What You Saw, Keerthana Kunnath