Across Faiths - Crusades
Crusades have existed right across faiths and times in some form or the other. This work has been inspired by a trip to Spain. Many knights went on the Crusades to bring themselves fame and glory in the old tradition of chivalry; a few went solely to make their fortune, but the vast majority of Crusaders went on the journey for reasons of faith — in religious devotion, to obtain absolution or remission of sins, and be granted salvation in the afterlife. That belief continues to this day.

Acrylic on canvas 50" X 18" Framed
Status: Not available

Across Faiths - Cardoba
Work inspired by visit to Cordoba, Spain
A magnificent example of moorish and renaissance architectures the mezquita or the cathedral of Cordoba also known as the great mosque speaks to the artist of sentiments beyond the awe inspiring structure. Started as a church of St Vincent it "changed faiths" with conquests over the ages, and at point of time was divided between two faiths! At each turn architectural additions have led to the fantastic structure that it is... but the changes and the show of power and domination, the war for a place to pray, to the artist seems to be an act in futility of epical magnificence which has been witnessed across time, geographies, and beliefs. The mezquita is one outstanding example of the powerful, building, destroying and rebuilding a structure in the name of that one omnipresent being who resides within each! Why is faith to have a structure and form, a place and a time?

Acrylic and mixed media on canvas 50" X 18"
Acquired from Art Bengaluru

Celebrating the Chandrabindu VII
The work is a result of the artist's fascination of the devanagari script's chandra bindu derivatives of which are found in the Tibetan umê and Uchen scripts, Bhutanese Dzongka,and Sikkimese Drendzongké amongst other Sino Tibetic scripts around central Asia. Some believe, the ' Moon -Dot' to be a protective bowl cradling the soul, and  that the crescent and dot represents the land of the perfect soul. The chandra bindu also reminds the artist of the crescent moon and star symbol which transcends cultures.

Ofcourse the chandrabindu is intrinsic to the famous and sacred Aum where it is believed to represent Vishnu. Interpretations of the symbol of ॐ (aum) containing three curves, one semicircle and a dot is that the large lower curve symbolizes the waking state; the upper curve denotes deep sleep (or the uncon-scious) state, and the curve between the two (which lies between deep sleep and the waking state) signifies the dream state. Coming to the Chandrabindu, the dot signifies the Absolute (fourth or Turiya state of consciousness), the semicircle symbolizes "maya" and separates the dot from the other three curves. The semi-circle is open on the top, which means that the absolute is infinite and is not affected by maya.

In the view of the artist, the Sacred Aum (the vibrant resonance of which has deep connotations and significance in the creation of the world) is incomplete in its very essence without the Chandrabindu.

Size 36 X 48 // Acrylic on canvas
Status: Available 

At the threshold II
The threshold of a monastery is a sacred spot. It is a place that is considered to be highly venerated and sacrosanct for it is this place that marks the start of a journey of reverence and veneration.  In this work the artist tries to capture on canvas the sanctity of the threshold... the crossing of the inner barrier to a deeper spiritual revelation. Crossing the threshold depicts the submission to the will of God and of his being a true believer. The work portrays unquestioning, undying devotion. The door awaits as though urging one to push open and enter this sacred space.

Mixed media on canvas DIPTYCH 
Status: Acquired via Gallerie Nvya

At the threshold I

The threshold of a monastery is a sacred spot. It is a place that is considered to be highly venerated and sacrosanct for it is this place that marks the start of a journey of reverence and veneration.  In this work the artist tries to capture on canvas the sanctity of the threshold... the crossing of the inner barrier to a deeper spiritual revelation. Crossing the threshold depicts the submission to the will of God and of his being a true believer. The work portrays unquestioning, undying devotion. The door awaits as though urging one to push open and enter this sacred space.

Mixed media on canvas 48" X 36" (Framed)

Acquired via Gallerie Nvya

Divine Resonance - Tang Du, the Tibetan prayer drum

A series in progress, depicted here by the Tibetan prayer drum that resonates evocative vibrations high into the cold and silent mountain air. The even beat reminds one of monks deep in meditation and the heavy smell of incense. The resonance reaches out to honour and pacify the protective God, Mahakala. 

Acrylic and pen on canvas 36" X 36"
Status: Acquired

Divine Resonance - the lute

Inspired by the pure sound of the lute the work tries to capture the essence of the sound and the sentiments that it evokes. The lute has been used across faiths as an allegory to emphasise and convey philosophies. For instance to motivate towards prayer the comparison is made to the  lute player as he is bending over the instrument, listening attentively, his fingers making the strings vibrate in harmony creating music that is soft and beautiful , much like the faithful  praying with body and the depths of their soul.

The Buddha spoke of the technique of meditation , by drawing attention to the strings of the lute which when neither too taut nor too loose, but adjusted to an even pitch, produced a wonderful sound and was easy to play, hence keeping the energy in balance to focus. The lute is also one of the symbols of the Five Qualities of  Enjoyment, symbolising the offering of the uncontaminated enjoyment of pure sounds.

Mixed media on canvas 56" X 20" Acquired via Art Houz / Affordable Art Fair Singapore 2016 

Ramayana, The Lesser Heroes II - Jatayu 
Critical to the main story, but rarely spoken of, and never in the same hushed whispers of awed reverence as the protagonists, the series  attempts to highlight the lesser heroes of a magnificent epic, without whom the epic itself would have paled in its essence.
Presenting, a representation of Jatayu a Demi God in the form of a vulture who inspite of his old age, challenged and valiantly fought the antagonist, Ravana in a bid to stop him from successfully abducting Sita. With age being against him, he was no match and even while he lay dying pointed Rama, the protagonist to the south i.e. in the direction which Ravana had fled with Sita. 

The Epic has international reach and popularity - from the coasts of India to the shores of the Indonesian Islands (not just Hindu Bali). Hence characters have forms that are not necessarily ‘Indian’ in their appearance.

Acrylic on canvas 36" X 48"
Status: Acquired 

Ramayana, The Lesser Heroes II - Sugreeva

Critical to the main story, but rarely spoken of, and never in the same hushed whispers of awed reverence as the protagonists, the series  attempts to highlight the lesser heroes of a magnificent epic, without whom the epic itself would have paled in its essence. 

Sugreeva the monkey King and the general of the Vanar Sena that assisted in the victory over the evil antagonist. Sugreeva bravely attacks Kumbhakarna of the opposing forces with a tree trunk and is almost killed in the battle. 

The Epic has international reach and popularity - from the coasts of India to the shores of the Indonesian Islands (not just Hindu Bali). Hence characters have forms that are not necessarily ‘Indian’ in their appearance.

Acrylic on canvas 36" X 48" 

Status: Available via Art Houz Chennai

In her own shadow II

The work is reflective of the artists belief that in order to gain respect it is imperative to assert oneself. This is taken into perspective within the issue of women’s situation in the various social structures.

The work is a call to women and in a broader sense to all who seem discriminated against, basis gender, socially, psychologically, physically. We often let ourselves be discriminated against because we fail to recognise and assert our self esteem. How often do we take cognisance of that dark “being” that is integral to us and follows us around.... our shadow? To recognise the shadow and not allow it to consume and lead you, to come out of your own shadow and take flight, is the artist’s call to women through this work. The piercing eyes depict SHAKTI and hence the inherent power within each woman that gives her the strength to combat all odds and emerge from her own shadow.

Acrylic on canvas 36"X 36"
Status: Available

Faith I
The work is inspired by the daily assault that one observes on all that is held dearest by each.... an assault on basic rights, on principles of Humanity, on freedom of choice, on trust and on the very path that we select to journey on. To the artist these assaults seem formidable enough to  wilt the will and the  core of the individual and this work is an expression of resilience , a call to rally one's faith , an assurance that "we shall overcome". In spite of the laws of nature, and in the face of sceptics, the Lotus of faith in what we hold dear will bloom even in the impossibility of the dry, impenetrable rock. If the pond of serenity has been deprived our Lotus of faith shall seek the water of life from deep within even the rock.

Acrylic on canvas (40X36)
Acquired 
Series: Miscellaneous works

Flight III

It is that state of not being imprisoned and enslaved by thought, society, borders and all that is conformational that inspired this work. It is a call to arms for all and women in particular.

The artist creates traditional forms of beauty that are within the boundaries of so called ”acceptance“  but expresses his yearning to break free from the very frame of the work itself, as depicted by the Hummingbird , on a discovery beyond the boundary.

The bird represents resilience, and to the artist this translates into the ability to keep going emotionally, physically and above all spiritually. It seems to emphasise the ability to rise above troubles and hardships with ease and joy.

The woman, stands stripped off all adornments and in her natural beauty as if in defiance to being judged by others and bonded by the rules set for her. In a manner of speaking she is in “flight”. 
Acrylic on canvas 36" X 48"
Acquired

Flight II
It is that state of not being imprisoned and enslaved by thought, society,borders and all that is conformational that inspired this work. 

The artist creates traditional forms of beauty that are within the bars of acceptance but expresses his yearning to break free of the very framework of the work itself as depicted by the Hummingbird attempting to fly off the canvas itself on a discovery beyond the boundary.

The bird represents resiliency, and to the artist this translates into the ability to keep going emotionally, physically and above all spiritually. It seems to emphasise the ability to rise above troubles and hardships with ease and joy. 

Acrylic on canvas (48 X 36)
Status: Available 

Flight I
The Hummingbird is fascinating as even though it is one of the smallest it has the capabilities of travelling great distances and can fly in all directions even backwards and upside down. It can pick up speeds upto 25 km per hour and then stop suddenly on a coin. It needs to continuously feed off the nectar of flowers and hence has a strong relationship and dependency on them.

Hence the bird represents resiliency, and to the artist this translates into the ability to keep going emotionally, physically and above all spiritually. It seems to emphasise the ability to rise above troubles and hardships with ease and joy. For persons who have been through a lot in life it symbolises strength and moving way past and beyond just the threshold of overcoming trials. Hence representing an individual who loves and lives life to the fullest.

In several cultures it represents love, joy and hope. The Artist has attempted to translate this indomitable spirit on his canvas with the hope that it inspires and brings joy to all who view his work.

Acrylic on canvas 36" X 48"

Status: Unavailable 

Spandan II

The work attempts to capture “Creation” in its essence. The miracle that is life and the world on which it exists has a conceptual vastness difficult to comprehend in itself.When this spins back to that divine moment when nothingness was converted to a tangible, the mind needs to expand beyond any boundaries whatsoever, to even begin to conceptualise this phenomena. According to the Vedic philosophy of creation, the universe, which was set forth by the Spandana or vibration of the primal energy, Prakritri, has a sound symbol and that is “Om”. The symbol denoted in this painting is the Tibetan Om. It brings with it all the propitious attributes that are intrinsic to the act of creation.

Acrylic on canvas 40" X 60"
Acquired
Series: Miscellaneous works

Bhiksham Dehi VIII
The alms bowl refers to the time in the Buddha’s life just before he attained enlightenment, when a young girl, named Sujata offered the Buddha a bowl of milk rice. Although the Buddha was practising austerity and eating only a little food at a time, he realised that to achieve the final stages of enlightenment, he would need to partake the offering of rice from Sujata. After partaking of the meal, the Buddha then threw away a small amount of food left in that bowl to symbolise non-attachment to material possessions. Another legend tells the story that the Buddha threw away the begging bowl itself into the river to symbolise this non-attachment.

Mixed media on canvas (48 X 36)
Acquired

Bhiksham Dehi VII
The alms bowl refers to the time in the Buddha’s life just before he attained enlightenment, when a young girl, named Sujata offered the Buddha a bowl of milk rice. Although the Buddha was practicing austerity and eating only a little food at a time, he realized that to achieve the final stages of enlightenment, he would need to partake the offering of rice from Sujata. After partaking of the meal, the Buddha then threw away a small amount of food left in that bowl to symbolize non-attachment to material possessions. Another legend tells the story that the Buddha threw away the begging bowl itself into the river to symbolize this non-attachment.

Mixed media on canvas (36 X 30)
Acquired

Bhiksham Dehi VI

The alms bowl refers to the time in the Buddha’s life just before he attained enlightenment, when a young girl, named Sujata offered the Buddha a bowl of milk rice. Although the Buddha was practicing austerity and eating only a little food at a time, he realized that to achieve the final stages of enlightenment, he would need to partake the offering of rice from Sujata. After partaking of the meal, the Buddha then threw away a small amount of food left in that bowl to symbolize non-attachment to material possessions. Another legend tells the story that the Buddha threw away the begging bowl itself into the river to symbolize this non-attachment.

Mixed media on canvas (48 X 36)

Status: Acquired 

Bhiksham Dehi IV

The alms bowl refers to the time in the Buddha’s life just before he attained enlightenment, when a young girl, named Sujata offered the Buddha a bowl of milk rice. Although the Buddha was practicing austerity and eating only a little food at a time, he realized that to achieve the final stages of enlightenment, he would need to partake the offering of rice from Sujata. After partaking of the meal, the Buddha then threw away a small amount of food left in that bowl to symbolize non-attachment to material possessions. Another legend tells the story that the Buddha threw away the begging bowl itself into the river to symbolize this non-attachment.

Mixed media on canvas (48 X 36)
Acquired via Gallerie Nvya

Bhiksham Dehi II

The alms bowl refers to the time in the Buddha’s life just before he attained enlightenment, when a young girl, named Sujata offered the Buddha a bowl of milk rice. Although the Buddha was practicing austerity and eating only a little food at a time, he realized that to achieve the final stages of enlightenment, he would need to partake the offering of rice from Sujata. After partaking of the meal, the Buddha then threw away a small amount of food left in that bowl to symbolize non-attachment to material possessions. Another legend tells the story that the Buddha threw away the begging bowl itself into the river to symbolize this non-attachment.

Mixed media on canvas (40 X 36)

Available via Art Houz Chennai 

Bhiksham Dehi I
The alms bowl refers to the time in the Buddha’s life just before he attained enlightenment, when a young girl, named Sujata offered the Buddha a bowl of milk rice. Although the Buddha was practicing austerity and eating only a little food at a time, he realized that to achieve the final stages of enlightenment, he would need to partake the offering of rice from Sujata. After partaking of the meal, the Buddha then threw away a small amount of food left in that bowl to symbolize non-attachment to material possessions. Another legend tells the story that the Buddha threw away the begging bowl itself into the river to symbolize this non-attachment.
Mixed media on canvas (60 X 18)
Acquired via Gallerie Nvya 

Arth Dwar, the Gateway to Abundance

In Hinduism the "purusharthas" or the objectives of individuals  were articulated as Dharma: Righteousness and Duty, Artha: Wealth, Kama: Desire and Moksha: Liberation.

The artist is fascinated by the revelation that the ancient seers propagated that the spiritual seeker did not need to be in a state of poverty. They reasoned that if one is in a constant state of worry and one's focus is on the basics like food and shelter, then how could one pursue spirituality? In fact just as nature is abundant in every aspect, abundance is the quality of the Divine. However, one must not get attached  to the possession or attainment of wealth and hence get distracted from Dharma, and ultimately Moksha. It is this attainment of wealth with detachment to it that is a superior level of high thinking.

This fascinating thought has translated in the creation of this polyptych work called Arth Dwar, the Gateway to Abundance.

Acrylic on canvas (polyptych 55" X 36")

Status: Available via Gallery Artistique

Dev Bhoomi I
 
Dev Bhoomi is the fascinating land where the the Gods and Godesses reside. A land where the Sun God rides his chariot, where the Trinity reside, and where the Bow of Indra provides an ethereal backdrop. It is a land where the rivers flow with milk like the white waters of the Ganga, beside which the Goddesses feed on Ambrosia and nectar is their wine. The air is scented with the fragrance of Jasmine and the paths strewn with love. This is where the sacred mountain, Sumeru exists in all its glory. This is that land where mortals would aspire to enter like Yudhishthir and his faithful dog had, only to be pulled down by the burden of their sins just as Draupadi and the four Pandavas were. This 'kalpana' of Dev Bhumi is what the Artist attempts to translate onto his canvas. 
Acrylic on canvas (48 X 36)

Status: Available 

Dev Bhoomi II
Dev Bhoomi is the fascinating land where the the Gods and Godesses reside. A land where the Sun God rides his chariot, where the Trinity reside, and where the Bow of Indra provides an ethereal backdrop. It is a land where the rivers flow with milk like the white waters of the Ganga, beside which the Goddesses feed on Ambrosia and nectar is their wine. The air is scented with the fragrance of Jasmine and the paths strewn with love. This is where the sacred mountain, Sumeru exists in all its glory. This is that land where mortals would aspire to enter like Yudhishthir and his faithful dog had, only to be pulled down by the burden of their sins just as Draupadi and the four Pandavas were. This 'kalpana' of Dev Bhumi is what the Artist attempts to translate onto his canvas. 
Acrylic on canvas
Status: Available

Windows of Faith I
The artist has experienced a great sense of peace on every occasion that he visited a cathedral.from the minimalistic, modern Scandinavian to the grandiose gilded  European styles the all prevailing sense of calm has been consistent. The artist has always walked away with a lasting impression of the hallowed silence,the mighty pillars and the rafters high above. But the most fascinating of all have been the stained glass windows. The play of light, the vivid colours, all streaming into the hallowed halls seemed to be a symphony of happiness and a source of absolute joy and inspiration. These stained glass windows seem to be the very symbol of the unending love between the faithful and their faith, evoking no awe, no fear but love stripped down to its barest and purest form.

Acrylic and graphite on canvas ( Triptych 50 X 54)
Status: Acquired

Windows of Faith II
The artist has experienced a great sense of peace on every occasion that he visited a cathedral.from the minimalistic, modern Scandinavian to the grandiose gilded  European styles the all prevailing sense of calm has been consistent. The artist has always walked away with a lasting impression of the hallowed silence,the mighty pillars and the rafters high above. But the most fascinating of all have been the stained glass windows. The play of light, the vivid colours, all streaming into the hallowed halls seemed to be a symphony of happiness and a source of absolute joy and inspiration. These stained glass windows seem to be the very symbol of the unending love between the faithful and their faith, evoking no awe, no fear but love stripped down to its barest and purest form.

Acrylic and graphite on canvas (24 X 36)
Status: Available

Memories of a childhood III
“In the life of everyone there is a limited number of experiences which are not written upon the memory, but stamped there with a die; and in the long years after, they can be called up in detail, and every emotion that was stirred by them can be lived through anew.” 
― JW Johnson, The Autobiography of an Ex-Colored Man

Acrylic on canvas 36" X 40"
Acquired via Gallerie Nvya

Memories of a childhood II

“In the life of everyone there is a limited number of experiences which are not written upon the memory, but stamped there with a die; and in the long years after, they can be called up in detail, and every emotion that was stirred by them can be lived through anew.” 
― JW Johnson, The Autobiography of an Ex-Colored Man

Acrylic on canvas 36" X 40"

Status: Available via My Indian Art / Kolkata

Memories of a childhood I

“In the life of everyone there is a limited number of experiences which are not written upon the memory, but stamped there with a die; and in the long years after, they can be called up in detail, and every emotion that was stirred by them can be lived through anew.” 
― JW Johnson, The Autobiography of an Ex-Colored Man

Acrylic on canvas 36" X 40"

Acquired via Gallerie Nvya