From Louvre To Lehenga: Mona Bhabhi

Mumbai: Move over, Mona Lisa. There’s a new muse in town, and she’s rocking a maang tikka with a side of spicy humor. Meet Monika Bhabhi — or should we say, Mona Lisa’s Indian alter ego. Thanks to Delhi University student Rashi Pandey, the iconic lady with the enigmatic smile has traded her Renaissance gown for a traditional Indian suit, complete with a dupatta draped modestly over her forehead, earrings glinting like gossip at a wedding, and a necklace that screams “Shaadi season is here.”

Rashi’s AI-generated masterpiece took social media by storm when she posted it with the caption, “I made the Indian version of Mona Lisa using AI. Give her a name.” The response? Pure gold. Over a lakh views later, suggestions poured in faster than wedding RSVP’s. While some admirers dubbed her “Mona Pandey” or “Monisha Rani,” it was “Monika Bhabhi” that stole the show. Because, let’s face it, what’s more quintessentially Indian than attaching familial warmth to fine art? One witty user christened her “Monali Sa” — presumably from Rajasthan — and another insisted she needed a bindi. Minutes later, the internet delivered, with an updated image captioned, “Fixed.”

Now that’s the kind of jugaad even da Vinci would’ve appreciated. This isn’t Mona Lisa’s first tryst with desi culture. In 2022, Resha Weaves, a fashion brand, unleashed a hilarious Twitter thread featuring Mona Lisa in traditional attires from across India. From “Lisa Tai” in a Marathi saree, complete with a saffron flag fluttering in the background, to “Lisa Devi” of Bihar and “Lisa Mausi” from South Delhi (shopping bags not included), the internet couldn’t get enough of her ethnic transformations.

There was even a “Shona Lisa” from Kolkata, looking ready to charm you into an adda session over rosogollas. The thread also introduced us to “Lisa Bomma” from Telangana, “Lisa Mol” from Kerala, and “Lisa Ben” of Gujarat — because, of course, Lisa can’t resist a good Garba night. With Rashi’s creation now in the spotlight, it’s clear that AI and art are a match made in heaven — or perhaps a shaadi mandap. So, Mona Lisa, meet Monika Bhabhi: same smile, more sparkle.