Ta Prohm

Acrylic on canvas, 24″ x 24″, Prints only.

There are very few places where human handiwork blends beautifully with nature. The mystical Ta Prohm temple in Cambodia is one such. Set in the midst of lush green woods, the ruins at this Buddhist temple are entwined with roots of large trees. And if you look carefully, you can find an apsara or a deity playing peek-a-boo, like this one. The scenic setting transports you to to a time when the glory of the Khmer reign must have been at its peak.

Rang na daro

Acrylic on canvas, 24″x36″, Prints only.

This painting is inspired by the song “Rang na daro shamji” – a playful Hindustani dhrut composition, rendered so well by Pt. Kumar Gandharva. His daughter, Kalapini Komkali’s rendition of the song is wonderful too.

It translates to “Don’t smear colour on me” – it’s what a shy lady tells her beloved at Holi, the festival of colours!

Cosmic dance

Acrylic on canvas, 36″x36″, Available.

Nataraja is the form of Lord Shiva, performing the cosmic dance – Tandava. It is believed to be the dance of creation as well as destruction, and provides a rhythm to the universe.

Shiva is a complex character. His temples are mystic, and located in unusual locations – caves, hilltops or by the sea. He has a dark side – and practitioners of that side of faith are usually found in the slopes of the Himalayas – with dreadlocks and ash smeared on their bodies. The Hindu faith advocates multiple paths to enlightenment. Knowledge, action and faith are three of them. And faith in itself has a multitude of paths – some of which can be fairly inexplicable to the casual onlooker.

Dhanvantri

Oil on canvas, 24″x24″, Prints only.

Dhanvantri is the god of healing, and is an avatar of Vishnu. The presence of this deity in the house in believed to infuse a feeling of wellbeing, good health and vitality. He holds in his hand the nectar of immortality.