Celebrating Machli, Ranthambore's iconic tigress

On World Tiger Day, a distinctive cultural event in Mumbai used art and conversation to explore what the life of a single tigress can reveal about power, resilience, and womanhood. Organised by Sonic Tigress— a women-led arts and music collective— the one-night event, titled “Stripes of Glory,” paid tribute to Machali, the famed tigress of Rajasthan’s Ranthambore National Park.Central to the evening was a glowing sculptural installation created by contemporary artist Shamaun Ahmed. The work, composed of handwoven sarees and translucent acrylic, offered a dramatic and symbolic portrait of Machali mid-prowl. According to Ahmed, Machali represents “survival, softness, and strength coexisting—just like every woman.” The installation set the tone for an evening balancing the wild and the human, drawing parallels between nature’s resilience and that of women.A key segment of the program was a panel discussion featuring women from various fields. Malini Agarwal, digital entrepreneur, emphasised the importance of uplifting others through leadership. Chef and restaurateur Aditi Dugar likened hospitality to “emotional architecture,” suggesting that, like womanhood, it involves nurturing body and soul. Wellness entrepreneur Saloni Anand described well-being as a daily legacy, while Naina Parekh, who leads a lifestyle brand, focused on the unseen burdens women often carry and the grace with which many shoulder them.Wildlife biologist Dr. Latika Nath, often called “India’s Tiger Princess,” drew a direct link between Machali’s legacy and feminine strength. “The wild doesn’t need saving. It needs space. So do women,” she noted, observing that Machali was “iconic because she was unapologetically all of it”—both nurturing and fierce.Attendees noted the rarity of such an event—one that places women’s stories and artistic voices at the centre of conservation and cultural conversations. Darshan M, Sonic Tigress’s founder, reflected on the absence of all-women music festivals in India’s cultural landscape and framed the gathering as an attempt to address this gap. The atmosphere—accented by thematic cocktails, dramatic lighting, and an eclectic guest list of conservationists, artists, and media representatives—felt intentionally immersive.As the event drew to a close, participants reflected on the symbolism of Machali’s journey from forest matriarch to cultural touchstone. For many, “Stripes of Glory” was less about spectacle and more about recognising the intersections between the wild and womanhood: both untamable, both deserving of space and respect.BackgroundMachali (1996–2016), often called the “Queen of Ranthambore,” is among the most photographed and studied tigers in history. Her presence has contributed to conservation narratives, inspired documentaries, and shaped ideas about female strength in nature.Sonic Tigress describes itself as India’s first all-women music and cultural collective, focused on creating platforms for women in the arts, conservation, and community leadership.This year’s “Stripes of Glory” event marks a continuing shift in how stories of the wild—and those who advocate for it—are told, centring women’s voices and lived experiences in both memory and imagination.