Colours Of Navaratri - Day 9: When blue meets green, and art finds its hue

Art, much like the peacock blue-green she wears, refuses to be defined by a single shade. For violinist Shreya Devnath, it is about perception, evolution and staying true to oneself. As the final day of Navaratri draws to a close, she reflects on how art can evolve with time without ever losing its soul.Navaratri is a season of music, devotion and celebration. Beyond concerts and performances, what does the festival mean to you personally?Navaratri is a very joyous time for me. Growing up, my grandmother would create an entire village of Gokulam at home, sometimes with elaborate, room-by-room storytelling. Even before concerts, my earliest association with Navaratri was the joy of imagining something and bringing it to life. It was practically Disneyland!There's such a strong visual identity to a Navratri concert. From the saris and jewellery to flowers and the overall atmosphere, what part of that visual tradition do you connect with the most?Onstage, definitely the saris. Having a colour for each day brings people together, and anything that brings people together is a form of love. Offstage, it is the kolu displays. Every home reflects its owner’s imagination and childhood; you see someone’s kolu and immediately feel you know them a little better.Can what a musician wears influence how they feel or perform onstage?Absolutely. Everything about you finds expression in your music — your state of mind, what you wear, how you feel in it, even what you see on the way to a concert. Everything tangible and intangible finds its way into the music, if you allow it to flow. Fashion is no exception to that.Your peacock blue-green sarishifts shades with the light. Does this duality resonate with you as an artist?I think that is the essence of art. Two people can listen to the same piece of music and interpret it differently. Even the same person might experience it differently ten years later. It is all about perception. Today, this colour is green; tomorrow, it is blue. That, to me, defines art itself.If your musical personality were a wardrobe, what would it look like?Nature-themed, definitely. I feel deeply connected to nature — standing under a tree, talking to the moon or being by the ocean. I loved that this sari had a peacock on it, so I picked it straight away.Finally, whose personal style in the Carnatic music world do you admire, and what makes it work?MS amma. Her style reflected what was inside her; it wasn’t simply about what was in vogue. It reflected who she was and what her music stood for. When we are entirely swayed by external trends and try too hard to fit in, the irony is that we end up belonging nowhere. Fashion works when what you show on the outside is what you truly are on the inside.STYLE FILELet peacock green take centre stage with jewel-toned pairings and heritage details.Play with contrast: Pair peacock green with royal blue, deep purple or antique gold.Make it a drape: Let a rich silk saree with a traditional border do the talking.Bring on the gold: Temple jewellery, antique jhumkas and gold bangles add timeless grandeur.Finish with flowers: A string of mallipoo lends a fresh, traditional touch.Peacock green is rich enough to command attention; let the jewellery complement, not competeBEAUTY FILEJewel-toned elegance meets luminous skin and eyes that captivate.Define the eyes: Try emerald liner or smoky eyes with bronze and gold shimmer.Glow strategically: Warm gold highlighter on the cheekbones complements the richness of the colour.Find your lip shade: Pair the look with berry, brick-red or a muted rose lip.Seal it with a bindi: A small maroon or deep green bindi adds a classic finishing touchLet the eyes carry the drama with bronze and gold; keep the skin fresh and luminousWritten By: Aashna ReddyGet the latest Bollywood & Entertainment News, and more. Download the TOI app.Give your child the gift of confidence! Claim your exclusive TOI Masterclass spot today!