Latest news with #Harakaat
Time of India
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Meet the Syrian-American artist who moved to Mumbai at 19 with no clear plan and built a global fashion brand, revealed in a viral post
Source: Instagram With all of 19 years of her life having passed, Eliza Karaza took a bold step in leaving the familiarity of her native Chicago, where she was born and raised, to enter the great unknown by moving to Mumbai, India. A Syrian-American painter, she was offered the chance to teach art in a city she knew nothing about. With no prior notice on the school, compensation, or living arrangement, Eliza's move was driven by sheer passion and adventure. Her act of trust set the stage for a journey of deep change, one that would test and shape her sense of self in dramatic fashion. Eliza the Syrian-American artist who found identity and purpose in Mumbai Eliza was met with uncertainty from the moment she arrived. She had not spoken to her future employer, had no confirmed place to stay, and lacked any real understanding of Mumbai's sprawling and complex urban landscape. The city's bustling streets, crowded local trains, and unfamiliar cultural norms presented daunting obstacles. Language barriers further complicated her adjustment, as she initially struggled to communicate and connect with those around her. Despite these challenges, Eliza's curiosity and determination pushed her to learn and get the best out of her new environment. Within a decade, Eliza made Mumbai home and familiar. Through determination and willingness, she learned Hindi, built strong friendships, and integrated into the neighborhood community. This ten-year experience allowed her to learn and develop exponentially and become strong. The vibrant culture, the unorganized but mobilizing spirit of the city, and the people she met became the backdrop of her personal and artistic development. Mumbai, her foreign and intimidating destination, was now a place of artistic influence and home. Eliza launched a clothing brand Harakaat in 2020 Eliza launched Harakaat, a fashion clothing brand, in 2020 that reflects her unique cultural background and artistic style. The brand is a culmination of hand-painted art along with South Asian art movements such as Mughal miniatures paintings, Bollywood-themed designs, and Indian truck paintings. These are then complemented with Western-style denim jackets to create wearable art that documents the dual heritage of Eliza honouring her Eastern roots while embracing contemporary Western sensibilities. Harakaat is not a fashion brand; it is a storytelling platform where cultural hybridity is vaunted. Eliza's career as storyteller and professional artist In addition to being a professional artist, Eliza has also become an entrepreneur and storyteller with a strong following on Instagram too, where she shares her creative process and life story to over 48,000 followers. She runs Mehal House, her family creative studio and retail space, along with her husband Ibal Preet and son. The studio is their hub for creative work and the bridge that unites various cultural inspirations in art and design. Eliza Karaza's is a testament to how bravery in the face of uncertainty can lead to amazing growth and possibility. From a young woman stepping into a completely new world to emerging as a successful artist and entrepreneur, her journey honors the strength of resilience, cultural exchange, and artistic imagination. It bears witness to how fearless choices can reveal new pages with fullness, meaning, and invention. Also Read | 48 venomous snakes and 5 turtles seized from passenger's luggage at Mumbai airport after arrival from Bangkok; check photos
Time of India
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
At 19, she came to India for job without knowing her salary. US woman reveals how Mumbai made her an adult in viral post
At just 19 years old, Eliza Karaza left behind the familiarity of the United States and embarked on a journey that would forever alter the course of her life. Raised in the vibrant city of Chicago, this Syrian-American artist found herself accepting a job offer to teach art at a school in Mumbai—despite knowing almost nothing about the city, the role, or even the salary she would earn. With a heart full of excitement and no concrete details, she packed her belongings and boarded a flight to India in 2015, carrying nothing but a deep sense of adventure and boundless in Mumbai , she faced a reality filled with uncertainty. She had not spoken to her future employer, nor did she know where she would be staying or how to navigate a city she had never visited. She didn't know which school she would be assigned to or what her income would look like. But in the face of the unknown, Eliza chose to dive in, driven by youthful curiosity and a fearless spirit.A decade later, Mumbai is no longer foreign—it is home, she revealed. The city shaped her, challenged her, and ultimately transformed her. In a heartfelt reflection shared on social media, Eliza recounted how Mumbai forced her to mature quickly. She had arrived in a place where she knew no one and could barely speak the local language. Yet over time, she adapted. She became fluent in Hindi, forged meaningful friendships, and built a life rooted in purpose and resilience. The bustling streets, local trains, vibrant chaos, and diverse communities of Mumbai became the backdrop of her personal 2020, Eliza launched Harakaat , a fashion label that merges hand-painted artistry with South Asian influences like Mughal miniature designs, Bollywood imagery, and Indian truck art—all blended into Western-style denim jackets. Her creations reflect the duality of her identity, rooted in both Eastern tradition and Western with over 48,000 followers on Instagram, Eliza is more than just an artist—she's a storyteller and entrepreneur. She shares her life with her husband, Ibal Preet, and their child. Together, they run Mehal House, a cozy, family-run creative studio and shop based in Chicago, where their artistic visions come to began as a leap of faith for a teenager with no plan has blossomed into a life rich in culture, growth, and creativity—proof that sometimes the boldest moves lead to the most beautiful chapters.
NDTV
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- NDTV
US Woman Who Moved To India At 19 For A Job Shares Journey: "Love Bombay So Much"
Eliza Karaza, a Syrian-American artist and entrepreneur born in the US, shared a heartfelt post about how Mumbai transformed her life. At 19, she took a leap of faith and moved to India, despite knowing little about the city or her new life. Ten years later, she's reflecting on the journey with gratitude. In an Instagram post, Ms Karaza revealed that she moved to India in 2015 to work as an art teacher without knowing her salary or where she would live. However, Mumbai's energy and challenges helped her grow. She penned a love letter to the city, affectionately calling it "Bombay," and shared her experiences of thriving in the vibrant metropolis. Ten years ago, I went to Mumbai for a job. I hadn't spoken to the employer. I didn't know where either was staying when I got there. I didn't know how I would get to whatever unknown place they were putting me. I didn't know what my salary would be. Where the job was even going to be. It was a teaching gig, but I didn't know which school it was going to be at. But who cares?! I was 19 and excited," she wrote. See the post here: View this post on Instagram A post shared by 🌑eliza🌙 (@kweenkaraza) Ms Karaza's Instagram post about her life-changing experience in Mumbai resonated with many people. Her decision to move to India at 19 and her subsequent growth story inspired internet users who praised her courage and adaptability. One user wrote, "Recently moved to South Korea without a place to live LMAO I feel u. This post is the motivation I needed today." Another commented, "This is so inspiring, as a fellow creative navigating work for the first time." A third said, "This is peace, that eventually everything will be okay one day, and we're here just to learn. I'm going through a similar phase, and this reel gave me reassurance that feels relieving. Thank you." A fourth added, "omg you are the coolest." Notably, Ms Karaza is a Syrian-American artist and entrepreneur, born and raised in Chicago. She is the founder of Harakaat, a fashion label launched in 2020, known for hand-painted denim jackets that blend South Asian aesthetics, like Pakistani truck art, Mughal miniatures, and Bollywood motifs, with Western streetwear. Her work reflects her mixed-Arab background and Muslim identity, often challenging stereotypes through vibrant, expressive designs. Ms Karaza also co-founded Mehal House, a creative studio and lifestyle brand.
Hindustan Times
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
‘I love Bombay so much': US woman's love letter to the city that taught her hustle
Eliza Karaza was just 19 when she was hired to be an art teacher at a Mumbai school. Born and raised in the United States, Karaza packed her bags and moved to Mumbai armed with nothing more than her enthusiasm. In an Instagram post shared last week, the artist and entrepreneur revealed that she did not even know her salary or the location of the school when she first moved to Mumbai in 2015. Ten years later, she has learned much about life and hustle living in Mumbai. In her love letter to 'Bombay', Karaza opened up about her first time in the Maximum City. Eliza Karaza is a Syrian-American artist who was born and raised in Chicago, Illinois. In 2020, she launched Harakaat, a brand known for its hand-painted denim jackets that blend South Asian aesthetics – such as Indian truck art, Mughal miniature painting, and Bollywood motifs – with Western streetwear silhouettes. She and her partner have also founded Mehal House, a creative studio and lifestyle brand. In her viral Instagram post, Karaza revealed how she moved to Mumbai 10 years ago for a teaching gig. She knew little about the city or the country - 'I had never had a proper job before. I had never been to India before,' she wrote. In fact, Karaza did not even know where she would be staying and had not even spoken to her employer. A post shared by 🌑eliza🌙 (@kweenkaraza) 'I hadn't spoken to the employer. I didn't know where either was staying when I got there. I didn't know how I would get to whatever unknown place they were putting me,' she wrote. 'I didn't know what my salary would be. Where the job was even going to be. It was a teaching gig but I didn't know which school it was going to be at. But who cares?! I was 19 and excited!' she added. But Karaza found a place for herself in Mumbai. She learned to speak Hindi - she is, in fact, now fluent in the language - she made friends and grew up in Mumbai. 'I love Bombay so much,' she wrote on Instagram. 'I loved how easy it was to get around. I felt so free.' 'Mumbai made me an adult. I had to grow up. I was in a country where I didn't know anyone, speaking a language I wasn't great at. But I made lifelong bonds with the people I met,' she said. 'I learned so much about life and hustle and work and figuring s*** out on the fly,' Karaza added.
