“Trapped Between Thoughts” is a heartfelt sand art performance that reflects the struggles many of us face when our own minds become our biggest enemy. It tells the story of people who once felt so overwhelmed by their thoughts that they even questioned the value of life itself. Yet, with time, they realized those dark moments were just passing phases - and life beyond them was far more beautiful than they had imagined. Through every shift of sand, the performance reminds us how overthinking can trap us in problems that aren’t as permanent as they feel, and how hope often waits quietly on the other side of our worries. Manisha Swarnkar, a trailblazing sand artist and the first woman in India to make her mark in this mesmerizing medium, brings stories to life grain by grain. An alumna of the prestigious IDC, IIT Bombay, with a Master of Design, she began her sand art journey in 2011—melding her engineering roots with her love for traditional rangoli to create soul-stirring performances. Her pioneering stop-motion sand animation includes India’s first sand animated song for the Ujjwala Gas Yojana initiative, which captivated the nation. Her award winning music video “Whitebone,” produced at The Headless Hippies studio, earned her both the Global Music Award and the Akademia Hollywood Award. Manisha’s mesmerising sand art films, such as “She Too Had a Dream,” have been featured at festivals like ViBGYOR International Film Festival, and her live performances and creations have delighted audiences on TV and TEDx stages across the countrySaurabh Lalwani is a soulful musician and composer who believes music is the purest way to connect with people’s hearts. A versatile guitarist and performer, he has created original compositions as well as stirring renditions of songs like “Zara Zara,” “Jiya Jale,” “Pasoori,” and his much-loved piece “Barkatt.” Beyond being a performer, Saurabh is also a sound engineer and composer, pouring emotion and creativity into every project he takes on. His music is known for its ability to gently pull listeners into the story behind each note, sometimes soothing, sometimes powerful, but always deeply human. On stage, his melodies beautifully complement Manisha Swarnkar’s sand art, together creating an experience that speaks to both the eyes and the soul. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx