A tribute to Jamini Roy

Last October during Durga Pooja, I found a book in a book stall at the pandal...It had digital rendition of Jamini Roy's beautiful paintings.......though the lines are not half as flamboyant and graceful as Roy's, but, certainly had an appeal. and needless to say, inspired me to do this acrylic on canvas...albeit in black and white....

After a break.............

After a hibernation of more than three weeks I could complete this work....in a haste....within three days. It was exhaustive but the end result made me happy..................

Musings

Wonder what one does with badly cut fingers on the working hand....! No painting....no writing..its awful feeling....but positive side...I'll probably read more.....

Testing my Patience

I am always amazed by the details created by the yesteryear's painters...especially when it comes to still life...wonder of their patience.....so, I thought of trying out their style ..........but as I am. unlike oil, my medium had to be transparent watercolor.........:)

About Kojagari.......about Alpana....

Kojagari is observed on the full moon day of the Hindu Lunar month of Ashwin.......for us, the Bengalis, we worship Goddess Lakshmi, the Goddess of wealth on this day. Ever year, this day reminds me of my childhood when Grandma'd give me a bowl of rice paste and a small piece of cloth and I'd make patterns on either side of the long corridor. Those patterns or Alpana had such mesmerizing effect on my mind that I could spend the entire day simply drawing those.

One compulsory pattern was Goddess Lakshmi's feet which had to be small, beautiful and facing towards indoor....but most of the time it'd be just the opposite. Years later, my friend who is married to a Bengali told me that the same had happened to her on her first Lakshmi Puja after marriage. Now when I draw tiny feet surrounded by lotus petals I miss those mistakes and laughters thereafter......

As was the ritual...Grandma always made it a point that the vahan or the vehicle of the Goddess must be drawn along with her ornaments and the paddy strands...so drawing the Owl which is the vehicle of Goddess Lakshmi was a challenge which I often failed. Now when I know that the Owl is a symbol of knowledge and rest are of wealth and prosperity, these  ritualistic symbols become clear and meaningful to me.....

Paper Tree and Paper Lotus

As Ganesh Chaturthi is coming closer...like every year I'm gearing up to decorate the Pooja place for my Aunty's place....Though I thought of making many more artifacts, I could manage a Big Tree made only of old newspapers and tinted chart papers.......my kid and my students did help me but time was too short and loads of works remained undone.

It was absolutely fun to teach my friends to make  a paper lotus.....and they did an excellent job and I managed to assemble the huge petals after a little struggle.......but, they were all smiles and that made my day............

The Monsoon Splash...

Come Monsoon and people throng the Gateway of India just to get wet as the sea splashes, sprays and plays around.........and I am fascinated..so, when I came across a photograph, I simply couldn't resist myself...just that I couldn't seek the photographer's permission as he/she is unknown to me...apologies............

Raindrops.........

Come rain and everywhere its a riot of green and the pearly raindrops, are delight to the eye......the magical monsoon is here to stay..................

The Seeping Light....

Often I've noticed sunlight seeping through the wet leaves and creating a mesmerising effect....I simply tried to create it but need more practice I must say.....

Beating the blues.....

With heavy monsoon and dull days for days what's more good than to beat the monsoon blues with brilliant hues of glass colors!!!!

The Evening Session

As the day roll towards dusk, the ladies gather under the beautiful Laburnuum or the Sagou Palm for the trivial chit-chats. I watch from my window and sometimes join as the children run around us and the pets listen ardently to our otherwise unnecessary yet stress-buster gossips.....sun rolls down behind the hills and dark sky usher us back to our routine knick-knacks.....

Men...Hah!!

Why cannot a man be a man without making passes...even if he is walking alongside their kids? Some say...it is the manifestation of manliness ...some, frustration....and I, call this the stupid male(or animal?) instict which makes them look foolish in most places.....:)

I become the famous netizen...:)

Watch me in all smiles in the June issue of Indiantalent magazine .com, an online magazine featuring upcoming talents in the field of arts, music, dance......etc. www.indiantalentmag.com

Siddhartha

The ornaments show he as the prince yet to denounce the worldly charms but the calm and tranquil face evokes the aura of a saint.......he is SIDDHARTHA on his way to become BUDDHA.

Tranquil...........

Lord Buddha said..."Peace is within oneself...The mind is everything, what you think you become"......

Trance

Once I came across a beautiful 'baul' singer...she mesmerized us with her haunting melodies...I could feel the stir around her as she sang and danced her way to everyone's heart.....while herself remained calm as if under a trance......that was soul stirring.....

Holi Hai

The festival of colors, the colors of spring and happiness, fun and frolic, sometimes madness is just round the corner. Everywhere color filled packets, color sprouts and guns( a la machine gun style) have captured the market and every Indians thoughts. Just when I too was engrossed in preparing for that special day's agenda...I came across a photograph of this fest, it was so lively that I thought of giving it a try in my own way.........HAPPY HOLI

Chit-Chat...Spit-Spat

A few days ago there was some chit-chatting around which led to huge spit-spat among the ladies and so very unfortunate that I too got involved......suddenly it came in my mind...what happens when such confrontations happen......some fight, some have huge laugh behind others back and the kids....are bewildered.......:)

The Gypsy Girl....

As I sit idly at home with my son, my fascination with the gypsies continue and I try yet another of their portraits.........thought of trying to capture some light too......

The Hundredth venture..............

My hundredth post........WOW! I made a maiden century over these years with an acrylic work done on cotton Kurti material using Chinese White and Ochre Yellow...It was refreshing and exciting......thanks to my friend who forced it on me.....:)

The Bend and the Road Sign......

The mists around the Tea plants..roads bending and disappearing in the fog to the unknown and the chill felt has an unearthly romantic feel.....only the Road sign standing bright and tall brings you to the real world.................