@ Matheran

     Matheran (It means 'Forest on the Forehead') is the smallest hill station in India located in the Western Ghats. Discovered by Hugh Poyntz Malet, a Britisher in 1850, was developed by the then Governor General as a retreat to beat the heat during the summers. 

     About 10 years back it was declared an eco-sensitive zone and made vehicle free (the only one in Asia). The only motorized vehicles that enter the town are a narrow gauge railway train  and ambulance run by the town administration. Transportation is by hand pulled rickshaws and horses. The streets have been made horse friendly- paved on the sides and unpaved in the centre to avoid injury to the hooves of the horses! It is a trekkers paradise. There are so many trails that you can take off on. The thick forest cover keeps you cool at any time of the day. It is a dream for riding enthusiasts. The elderly can avail the hand pulled rickshaws. Game any one !!!

Fly Helicopters, Paint Helicopters.

     Well this is another commissioned work for one of the Officers' messes of the Indian Air Force. Enjoyed painting this as this was the machine I used to fly when I was in The IAF, and it was for the Unit where I had served for three years. Pure nostalgia for me. Hope you like it.

Miles to go before I sleep...

     We are fortunate to have all kinds of terrain in India. The western region has a large desert called the Thar desert. As military aviators we used to fly very low at times. In such terrain there is no fear of any high-rises or invisible cables as there is only sand and sand for miles. This was a scene I had come across a long time back and was etched in my mind. Finally decided to put it to paper with the help of some reference pictures. 

     Hope you like it. Have a nice weekend.

     

@ Porbandar: In search of The Mahatma.

    

     I am back in Porbandar where the flying schedule is a little relaxed. This happens to be the birth place of Mahatma Gandhi. A small museum has been made around the humble abode where he was born. What caught my eye was this grand old arch way just next to his home. This is about 150 years old and happens to be the heart of the town. Am sure Gandhi must have played in this square as a kid.  Would he ever have thought that his statue would adorn the same place in times to come ! 

     Painting this was fun. Hope you like this little piece of history. And yes... I am sorry I go missing from my blog at times and fail to appreciate the good work being done by my good friends. It is not intentional but work pressures do overtake you at times. Hope you will forgive me.

Gladioli

     Well again there is no background or story behind this painting.... Just pure love for these lovely flowers and colours.
     Have a nice weekend.

Seagulls

     Wanted to paint a sea-scape. Found an interesting picture on the net. It was fun painting the waves... one of those times when I did not want to try too hard and let the picture emerge of its own free will. The painting came out nice but some how it looked lifeless. the waves just did not have the life that I wanted. As an after thought I decided to add the sea gulls. It immediately brought life into the barren sea. What do you think ? At least I felt so, and decided to honor them by calling the painting 'Seagulls'

Reporting over Trimbak.......

     While flying near a place called Nasik in Western India I had been reporting at a point called Trimbak as directed by the Air Traffic Control. A few days back some friends planned a weekend trip to a small temple town nearby. I also tagged along. When I came to know that the temple was called Trimbakeshwar it set my head working. Google maps confirmed my hunch... the reporting point on the airway had been named after this temple as it was exactly overhead. This happens to be the place of origin of the Godavari, the largest river in peninsular India.

     Had reached the place after fresh showers and the courtyard was wet which threw interesting reflections. Made an interesting subject. Hope you like it. Have a great week ahead.