Albert Hall @ Jaipur

     In the 'Pink City' Jaipur, is a garden called 'Ram Niwas Garden' spread over 33 acres. In the centre of the garden is the Albert Hall museum. It was built in 1868 by Maharaja (Emperor) Sawai Ram Singh. Like most of the buildings in this area, it is made of red sand stone. In fact most of the buildings in the old city are made of the same stone. Because of the color of this stone Jaipur is called the pink city. Even now all the buildings have to be of the same color even though sand stone is no longer used for construction! You shall be fined if you do not! It is a beautiful museum in a beautiful building and attracts hundreds of pigeons besides tourists! 

     Found it an interesting subject to paint in my recent visit to the city. Felt the character of the building would be incomplete without the pigeons. Hope you agree with me.

Ganga Arti @ Varanasi

     The holy city of Varanasi is located on the banks of the holy river Ganges and this makes for a very spiritual combination. The Ganges is considered a giver... to the Body and Soul. It is called Ma Ganga meaning Mother Ganges. In the evening thousands gather to offer prayers. As the skies darken and night falls the ceremony is conducted in the light of flood lamps. The chants of the priests, smoke rising from the gigantic lamps in their hands, hundreds of small earthen lamps kept on the stairs make a beautiful and mesmerizing sight. They say it is really a spiritual experience. This is an attempt to bring out the scene. I hope I have been able to do justice.

Paradise Lost

     The Kashmir valley is considered a paradise on earth. It is nature at its best. Mythology says that the whole valley was a lake long back. Sage Kashyapa is said to have drained the valley by cutting the mountains near Baramulla. We do not know how far this story is true but a beautiful lake still exists there... The Dal lake. The house boats of this lake are a favourite with the tourists. The same valley is facing unprecedented floods. Hundreds have lost their lives. People are struggling. Many have lost all their worldly possessions. Though the waters have started receding slowly, it will take ages for normalcy to return. This is a painting of the famous Dal lake and its house boats. Hope you like it. Also do not forget to say a prayer for all the affected people.

@ Sanjay Gandhi National Park.

     Sanjay Gandhi National Park of Mumbai is one of the few reserved forests in the world, located  right in the middle of a city. In fact it is called the green lung of the much polluted Mumbai city. It has lions, tigers, leopards and hyenas besides monkeys and many species of birds. Lions and tigers are in a cordoned off area but leopards roam around freely. At times their interests do clash with humans but then this is the case all over the world. I love going for a jog in this park. Not to worry, I am not alone. There are many like me. It is so peaceful away from the hub bub of the city. This morning was not feeling like jogging so did the next best thing... carried my painting kit along, sat next to a stream and did this quick fire work. Hope you like it.

Coasting in @ Gadimoga

     I am operating from a helidrome called Gadimoga on the east coast. It is right next to the point where the river Godavari merges into the Bay of Bengal. Flying to offshore oil rigs during the monsoons can be quite tricky. One just wants to hit the coast as soon as possible. This was a sight I saw while returning back from one sortie. Sunlight sneaking in through the dark clouds and the river Godavari lit up with the light. Oh what a sight it was. How I could I not steal some time out of my study schedule for this. It is a quick fire work with some broad wet in wet washes. It was well worth the time spent.      

Need a break.

     Have been extremely busy flying and preparing for an exam in addition. Absolutely no time for painting or blogging. But today something inside me said 'enough is enough'. I need a break. What a break. What you see here is the result of that break. Am feeling absolutely fresh for the next session with my books. Do you feel the same when you paint? Hope you all like this. 

Mustard?

     Vast expanses of mustard fields or for that matter sunflower fields are always a treat  to watch. Had painted one a long time back but wanted to do it again. Did this with the help of some reference pictures. Hope you all like it. Have a great week ahead.         

@ 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.

Ghats of Varanasi

     Varanasi is the spiritual capital for the Hindus. It is also called the 'the city of temples, the holy city of India, the religious capital of India, the city of lights and also the oldest continuously lived city of the world'. The history of this city is older than all the major religions of the world. People make pilgrimage to this holy city to attain inner peace. It is said that dying in this city gets you instant salvation. It is located on the banks of the river Ganges which is considered the holy river. Once upon a time it is said that the water of this river had magical healing powers. Unfortunately due to the vagaries of modern living it has become very polluted. But the faith of the people remains unchanged. No one goes back from this city without taking a holy dip. If you visit India, do visit this city for a spiritual experience. Hope this painting of one of the Ghats (embankments) of Varanasi is able to capture the character of this city.