"What you eat is what you are.
How you eat is what you are.
Where you eat is what you are.
When you eat is what you are."

Food is not merely sustenance—it is a profound reflection of spirituality and transformation. In Surah Maidah, the Quran elevates food as a manifestation of Divine Light, a blessing from the heavens with the power to shape both body and soul.
This body of work draws inspiration from the food and dining traditions of the Dawoodi Bohra community, specifically the sacred meals served during Ashara, commemorating the tragedy of Karbala. The devotion expressed through the offering of Niyaz-e-Hussain, food shared in the name of Imam Husain (AS), is reflected in the art, which uses delicate layers of translucent paint to symbolize divine illumination (Noor).
The thaal, a circular tray central to Bohra dining, is a symbol of unity and sustenance, reminding us of Imam Husain’s ultimate sacrifice. The layered medium in my work mirrors the sacred nourishment we receive during these days—nourishment that strengthens our spiritual path and connects us to the eternal light of devotion.