Hi! I’m Nandini. I was diagnosed with scoliosis as an early teen. There wasn’t much awareness around this, here in India. It came as an absolute shock to my parents and I. Initially I began with physiotherapy and later had to shift to a brace. Despite wearing a back brace for 24 hours a day for over a year, my curve continued to worsen—leaving spinal fusion surgery as the only option.
Getting surgery at just 13 was terrifying. The physical recovery was tough, but what hurt even more was having to let go of one of my biggest passions: dancing. I loved expressing myself through movement, but the post-surgery restrictions meant I had to find a new outlet for that connection.
I had always been an artistic child, and over time, art became the place where I could release, reflect, and rebuild. When I turned 18, I finally gathered the courage to portray my scoliosis journey through my artwork—not just for myself, but for every young girl out there facing the same path.
Growing up in India, I was often told to hide this part of me. But I chose to embrace it—openly and proudly. My art tells stories of pain, healing, and resilience. It’s for anyone who needs to know they’re not alone. That they are strong. That they will be okay.
