I was in India from 23/12/09 till 20/01/10 and again from 11/02/10 till 20/02/10. Very little art work has been done since my last post, but, after visiting Ajanta and Ellora caves during my second phase of stay in India, I am more than content with what I experienced. Although it was a pleasure for my artistic mind, it was painful to see the fast deterioration of the art work at Ajanta caves.Whatever still remains is something astonishing.Please visit ajanta-some kind of miracle and ajanta_walkthrough to get a glimpse of the of our rich heritage.
I was pleasantly surprised to see the influence of that style in my work. The obvious reason is my initial training in art from my mother and my aunt, Sukriti Chakravarty. Both had the well known artist, Nandalal Bose as their teacher. Please click on Bose-slideshow to see the influence of Ajanta style in his works.
Ellora displays amazing structures representing different styles of creative vision and execution skills that existed in India in those days[5th-11th century AD]. Here are two web sites worth visiting: Ellora caves and Ellora caves-walkthrough . I must say that viewing it on the screen can never give the viewer any idea about the experience one derives from the 360 degree view in every direction from the upper levels of the monuments.
Now, to get back to my own works in-between my travel:-
One below was done on request, for a friend.
This work on the left in charcoal, was done in December'09 on paper measuring 50cm x 60 cm. It is part of the Ganesha series displaying the bond between baby Ganesha and parents. The other two works of this series are, 'baby Ganesha and mum' and 'paternal instinct'.
The two pieces shown above, done in charcoal and dry stick depict the Bauls of Bengal . This community of free thinkers is disappearing slowly. It was a pleasure to watch the performances of these nomadic singers every winter during Poush Mela in Santiniketan. They play their home-made special accompaniments along with the philosophical lyrics of their songs and sometimes dance in a very typical folk style.
Presently I am concentrating on a series of water colours based on a particular theme. I aim to do at least five pieces by the end of next month. So far I have finished only one piece.
2 comments:
The baby Ganesha and his mother is wonderful. You really captured the spirit of the child there: a bit naughty, fiercely independent, yet entirely giving himself up to his mother's care.
"Here," he seems to be saying, "it's my gift to you that you can take care of me!"
And of course it is!
Thank you for your comment. I like your interpretation.
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