ASC Golf club@ Bangalore

     I am in Bangalore undergoing some hectic training. Thankfully the weekend was free. Went across with some friends to this golf course... not to play, but to paint ! However hard I tried the guys would not let me sit in the course with my paraphernalia at some vantage point... not permitted by the course regulations. Finally had no choice but to sit in the club house where the only view I had was a clump of trees. A tired caddy made the scene a little interesting. Half an hours job. Still something is better than nothing.

Pashupatinath Temple @Kathmandu

     This is the famous Pashupatinath Temple of Kathmandu, Nepal. By tradition the priests of this temple have always been from India. Recently it was in the news due to some remuneration issues regarding the priests. This picture was published in the 'Hindustan Times' and caught my attention. Over the times the temple structure has been surrounded by haphazard construction. Wanted to paint it as it is without omitting any details. However had to be careful lest these structures overwhelm the temple in my painting also! Used a lot of negative areas and light shades to ensure this. Was successful to a large extent. Hope you like this.

Playtime

     I find water colors so much fun as a medium. No other medium surprises you so much. I love washes, spattering, splashing, pouring.... in short at times I just keep playing with colors. Let the painting take the shape it desires. Just go with the flow. At times it works and at times it does not. This is one of those works where I could not decide whether it worked or not !!! What say ???

Majestic

     The elephant is one of the most majestic animals on this planet. I have seen them in both Africa and India. The African one is definitely more handsome with its huge tusks and ears. But the Indian elephant is luckier than its African brother. Firstly it does not have large tusks which have become a nightmare for the african elephant. The ivory is the major cause for rampant poaching. Also the Indian elephant is lucky to have Lord Ganesha or the Elephant God as its protector. Hindus hold this God in reverence and hence no one dare harm the elephant. Hope we can find a way to protect the African  elephant also.
     This is a small watercolor I did as I had not painted for a long time and was finding it difficult to pick up my brushes. Enjoyed it after all.

Springtime...

     It's spring time and the colors that this season throws are at times amazing. No better example of this than the Palaash flowers (Butea Monosperma). Bright orange and red in color, this flower was compared to Fire by the Nobel Laureate Rabindra Nath Tagore in his poems. It is even called a form of the God of Fire by some. The flowers are also used to make colors for the Indian festival of Colors- Holi.
     Painting this was fun. It was a pleasure playing with such bright colors. It really brightens up ones mood. Hope you all like this work.

Cavalry....

     On 26th January India celebrates The Republic Day. On This day in 1950 our constitution came into effect. To commemorate this day  a large parade is held in New Delhi. The military, paramilitary and police etc come out in marching columns in all their finery. Amazing tableaux take the breath away from spectators. In spite of all the changes over a period of time, my favourite still remains the Cavalry columns. The horses are elegance personified. I am not much of a rider myself but love them any way. Had been wanting to paint one for a long time. Found this picture very interesting and decided to paint it. The composition was difficult as both the horses and riders needed equal footage. Hope I managed to do justice and you like it.   

Gurudev

     'Gurudev' or 'Teacher' as he was popularly known, Rabindra Nath Tagore was the first non European Nobel laureate for literature. His mesmeric personality, flowing hair and other worldly dress earned him a prophet-like reputation in the west. His poetry was considered spiritual and mercurial. However it is still hardly known outside Bengal. He is probably the only individual to have composed the national anthems for two countries.... India and Bangladesh ! This year is his 150th birth anniversary and next year will be the centenary of his winning the Nobel prize. My tribute to this great man....