Local artist creates “Naseeb the Nutcracker” to represent South Asian diaspora
Posted December 25, 2021 4:00 pm.
Last Updated December 25, 2021 4:02 pm.
Local artist Jag Nagra has put her own twist on a classic Christmas decoration, creating a larger-than-life nutcracker that’s meant to represent the South Asian community.
Naseeb the Nutcracker is seven feet tall, and was hand-crafted in the artist’s own home. He has brown skin, wears a turban, and carries a dhol — a double-sided barrell drum that’s widely used in India.
It took a few trips to the hardware store, but Nagra says putting Naseeb together was worth it.
Details. First time I’ve painted anything professionally…it went as expected. Learned a lot #IndianNutcracker pic.twitter.com/OcfO5n0xEQ
— Jag Nagra (@jagnagra_) December 20, 2021
She made him based on her own experience growing up as part of the South Asian diaspora, using inspiration from a drawing she made a few weeks prior.
“It’s important for my kids. They’re mixed-race. I want them to grow up seeing Indian art I didn’t grow up seeing, especially in a contemporary context like this,” she said.
“I was really aware that there were no Indian-inspired nutcrackers out there on the market. I drew an Indian nutcracker, and very quickly after, I was like, ‘Okay, we need to make this a real thing.'”
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She says she plans to keep Naseeb up in her living room year-round.
“It’s a one of a kind piece, so I think it’s cool. People have said they’ve tried to find an Indian nutcracker and never have come across it, so yeah, it feels really good that people are connecting with it,” said Nagra.
