2nd February 2026 Mani & Beena
Some time ago, Mr Mani sent me a set of butterfly paintings, masterfully rendered in pen, ink, and acrylic paint. Their vibrant presence and his unmistakable artistic touch left me mesmerised—each piece seemed to flutter with life and colour, capturing the very spirit of transformation.
I have always adored butterflies, no matter their colours. Yet, I can’t help but feel squeamish during their caterpillar stage—a stark contrast to their delicate grace as adults. Recently, I discovered several caterpillars feasting on my indoor plants. Their pellet-like droppings scattered across my living room forced me to cut the leaves and move them outside to the garden, where they could continue their metamorphosis undisturbed.
This experience made me reflect on our tendency to reject what we find unpleasant, only to embrace it once it becomes beautiful. Are we not, in some sense, hypocrites—drawn irresistibly to beauty while instinctively recoiling from ugliness? Our responses reveal how deeply appearances influence our judgments.
Curious about this, I delved into why we are so captivated by beauty. Neuroscience reveals that our brains are hardwired to seek out and recognize beauty, triggering reward centers and releasing dopamine at the sight of it. Yet, what we perceive as beautiful is shaped by culture, experience, and media. The “mere exposure effect” shows that the more we see a particular kind of beauty, the more we come to prefer it—our tastes subtly moulded by repetition.
Isn’t it fascinating? Each time I reflect on the beautiful art my friends share, I discover new insights about myself and the world. I hope these thoughts inspire you to see beauty—and transformation—with fresh eyes.