The painting is an acryllic on canvas. Most of the colours used are very earthy to depict an ordinary woman. The highlight of the painting is the emotion that the lady tries to convey, ie one of strength and determination in a world that is dominated by men. Her half covered face signifies the oppression that women suffer even today in india, except for the magenta that peeps out which shows her wish to express the power and rights that she possesses. The bit of gold is symbolic of the wealth that men are losing out on by not giving women a chance to prove themselves. Her eyes bore into you almost challenging anyone to do whatever they like but she can fight and endure anything that comes to her in an effort to prove her identity. This is my interpretation of the strength of an indian woman!
(this is the explanation I had given along with the painting for a competition that i entered)