From abyss to art: Jaya Kalra’s healing method
City-based artist suffered immense loss during Covid-19, but as a healer, she recuperated from the pain and made art her expression
Death lifted Jaya Kalra, the artist, to new life but not before it stole her happiness. The old life with full family was joyous for Kalra five years ago till death in the form of Covid-19 snatched away her mother, her daughter and grandchild.
As an artist and a healer, Kalra found meaning in the sufferings and death but resurrection from the peril was gradual as she did not brood over the past but chose to accept things which she could not change.
Her paintings with bright colours, and art works from the discarded objects were therapeutic.
“My paintings are story of my life in pandemic… I lost my mother, daughter and grandchild, the loss was in six months and I was on the verge of deep depression… but I am a healer too, and I was not doing anything for myself… that was the time, my husband Rajiv told me what are you doing with yourself .. heal yourself. That was a turning point and I started healing myself”, she recollected.
According to Kalra, it was not easy to come out of the loop of misery but her creative space and healing power instilled hope.
“I used all the techniques which I was using for others during the healing session. It was not easy… gradually, I came out of depression and all the related paintings portray how the journey started, how pandemic affected, and this also brings a positive message to people who are in distress”, she said.
Beyond paintings and other creative works , to reach out to more audience, she wrote a book, Awaken to Healing -Reclaiming Power & Peace Through Past Life Regression.
“I wrote this book within 15 days, you won’t believe… I used to sit below my daughter’s picture and write and ask for her strength,” Kalra said.
After losing her daughter, she wanted to adopt a child but the family did not approve it as ‘this was the time to have a grandchild’.
“One year after my daughter’s death, my son got married, I thought my life will change and things will happen but they have their own life to live, they can’t be around me all the time… that is what I realised. Literally everyone comes alone, gives alone and goes alone . We have to live for ourselves first ..if we live for ourselves ..then only we can support others too, and I do that only,” Kalra said while explaining one of her paintings.
Besides the paintings, creating something new from discarded materials helped her to keep busy during pandemic.
“From bottles, coconut shells, newspapers, I created images like waterfalls, trees, heritage places among others The creative works and my daughter give me power to move forward,” Kalra said.
She is busy healing others both physically and mentally.
“Since I know many methods of healing, I do help people from India and abroad”, she said.
You have to move forward ..you can’t stay in one loop, is her advice to all who are still trapped in a haunting past.
~ Team Sunday Monitor
