Monday, June 27, 2016

Tulail @ Gurez Valley, Kashmir

     A shabby signboard, about 30 km from Gurez reads 'Welcome to the Heaven on Earth". This whole valley, located on the fringes of the Indian controlled Kashmir, remains cut off from the rest of the world for about six months in a year due to heavy snowfall. In the midst of the mountains, are located these log houses of mud and brown colour. This, the locals say, is the identity of Tulail. In summers this place becomes a sight to see. Mountain sides of lush green meadows, interspersed with pine trees, an odd stream trickling down, all add to the beauty of the place. The people of this valley can trace their lineage to Afghanistan and Iran. It is only recently that they have opened their doors to the outside world and modern education. 
     Really enjoyed painting this. Hope you all like it. Have a great week ahead.

Tuesday, June 21, 2016

Cottage behind the Pines.

     The Srinagar valley is called the 'Paradise on Earth'. It is an artists paradise too. Any side you turn your head, there is a landscape waiting to be painted. Had flown in that area before the advent of digital cameras and I did not possess one. Was not seriously hooked on to watercolors also in those days. Keep wondering how wonderful it would be to traverse the interiors of this beautiful region with my watercolours. A great friend Indranil Bhattacharya, happens to be flying in that sector and gave me a chance to revisit the place through his lenses. His clicks happen to be next best to seeing the place live. He kindly gave me a blanket consent to paint whatever I liked.
    This pic of a wooden cottage with huge french windows, behind some pine trees caught my attention. The chairs under the pines looked so inviting. Wish the owners invited me for Kahwa (Kashmiri tea). Well someday. Keep dreaming n keep painting.