Plumeria

Plumeria, Gouache

Rameshwaram

Rameshwaram, located on Pamban island, is considered as one of the holiest places in India. It is connected to mainland India by Pamban bridge.
The place and the journey are equally pleasurable, more so, if the journey is by train. Around 1 to 2 hrs distance to Rameshwaram one gets to view plenty of peacocks in the fields, and even near households. As the train passes over Pamban bridge, the lulling sounds of the train and the sea together make the journey a lasting experience. 

Pamban bridge

Pamban bridge is the second largest sea bridge in India and is over 2 kilometres long.

View from the train over the Pamban Bridge

Rameshwaram houses the Ramanathaswamy temple(one of the Jyothirlinga Shrines) which is dedicated to Lord Shiva. It is also home for many holy water bodies (Theerthams); Agnitheertham, the sea(Bay of Bengal), being the foremost. 22 of the theerthams are with in the main temple. These water bodies are either in the form of tanks or wells.
Legend connects Rameshwaram to Ramayana as the place where Rama worships Lord Shiva to wash away his sins after killing Ravana, and the place from which Rama builds the bridge (Ram Sethu or Adam's Bridge) to Lanka with the help of Vanara Sena.

Other places of importance in Rameshwaram include Dhanushkodi, Kodandarama temple, Hanuman temple, Gandhamadhana parvatham,  Former president of India - Dr. Abdul Kalam's ancestral home, now converted into museum,etc. Local taxis on sharing basis are available in plenty to cover these places.

Panchamukha Hanuman and Lakshmana Theertam

View from Gandhamadhana parvatham

Dhanushkodi is the southern most tip of the island, now referred to as 'Ghost town' after the 1964 cyclone. Drive to Dhanushkodi along the coast is a wonderful experience. 

It is the closest point to Srilanka from India (around 30 km) and is connected by Ram Sethu.

Dhanushkodi, literally means the end of the bow: named so as Rama marked the spot for the bridge with one end of his bow. It is also told that upon Vibhishana's  request, Rama broke the Sethu with the end of his bow and hence the name.

Remnants of the Railway station at Dhanushkodi

Dhanushkodi

Fishermen, Bay of Bengal

Indian Ocean

It is the meeting point of Indian ocean and Bay of Bengal. After a short walk from the remnants, one gets to see the splendid view of the roaring Indian ocean on one side and the tranquil Bay of Bengal on the other.

To the left, Bay of Bengal and to the right, Indian Ocean

Pamban Bridge during sunset - road route

BKS Iyengar

Here's a sketch of Yogacharya BKS Iyengar, founder of 'Iyengar Yoga' and who is considered as one of the foremost Yoga teachers in the world.

BKS Iyengar, Ink sketch (Pigma Microns) on Artist Paper

Inktober 2016

Inktober, an initiative by artist Jake Parker, is a drawing challenge by doing one ink drawing a day the entire month of October. Every year many artists take part in this; I tried my hand this year.

Most of the drawings are from the photos I have taken during my travels; each one is a story in itself.

Here are the drawings arranged in random order:

Inktober

Inktober

Inktober

Kaavad

A year ago i got a call from an acquaintance saying they are looking for artists who can assist them with some colouring (yes, just colouring; he remembers seeing me colouring handmade volunteer badges for a crowdfunded event, for which we both were volunteers). 

The proposed project "Kaavad Katha - Maya" had already taken off with a key visual artist,  a production team and the performer. I joined the team along with one established artist. I was glad that eventually it turned out to be more than just colouring.

Before going about the making of this new venture, here's a brief introduction to Kaavad:

Kaavad art is a rich, oral tradition of storytelling in Rajasthan, believed to be 400-500 years old. Considered as a portable wooden shrine, a Kaavad has multiple panels that are hinged together. These panels open and close like doors. Wonderful collage of images depicting the tales of Ramayana, Mahabharata or local folk stories adorn these panels. As each door opens, a new chapter in the story unfolds.  A traditional kaavad would typically have 10 doors and painted in red.

These are made by a community of carpenters called the Suthars for the Kaavadiyas (storytellers) who recite the Kaavad for their Jajmans (Patrons) spread over Rajasthan. While the Kaavadiya recites his patron's genealogies, epic stories and sings praises of the patron's ancestors, the Patron makes donation.

Though the concept of Kaavadiya is fading these days, Kaavad as an art is taking new forms. Some are made with just 6 doors and these would fit in a palm. Some are painted in just black and white. The Kaavadiyas have had to adapt to the changing times. Off late, the Kaavads are made with inspirational stories with a message. They also have stories from the Panchatantra. Some are even using it as a learning device for educating children.

A Traditional Kaavad

 Kaavad Katha - Maya, was one such attempt at reviving the Kaavad Art in a contemporary form.

This was conceptualized and devised by the performer who hails from Rajasthan. 

The key artist did a brilliant job in illustrating. For the panels I worked on, the illustrations were given as rough sketches, which I would clean up or redraw and add colours. 

The other artist worked on a beautiful abstract covering two panels.

These panels were of '4 ft x 2 ft' size and were not connected. Instead wheels were added to enable them to move while performing. 

With 8 panels painted on both sides, with some props, the play had several shows. 

Later, during one informal discussion, it was suggested that for the show to be presented to a smaller group or to have a storytelling sort of session, a typical kaavad would be more handy.

Several days passed in deciding on whether to go for the same design as the typical kaavad or to redesign. When the trials were on to redesign the kaavad, I thought of the carpenter Raamanna, who helped me with the fixtures at my place when i newly moved in. Impressed by his workmanship I approached him with the Kaavad, which I borrowed for few days. He agreed on the condition that I should get him the material like wood, hinges, and also draw all the pieces to scale and give.(It was more like an apprenticeship). I didn't have much idea regarding the wood type; many suggested to go for MDF.. and so I went with it.

 After 3 weeks of persuading and follow up, Kaavad got ready. He calls the traditional one Desi Kaavad and his make as Export quality. But the end product turned out to be heavy, making it sort of difficult to carry and perform. Raamanna suggested we could try deal wood, again on the same conditions that I will be getting the wood. (the processed one)

In case of MDF, the required thickness was readily available. but working with it was too dusty. Deal wood that is available in most shops is the one that is used for packing and it is not in ready to use condition. One has to check it for holes,  needs some planing and a bit of polishing to get it in usable state. 

With some more persuasion.. work begins. 

To save time, I start working on the panels that are ready. He didn't have many tools to get the smooth cuts.. he gave me some white cement to fill in the uneven spots. After filling in the uneven plane I further smoothed out the rough edges by sanding. Meanwhile he worked on completing the remaining part. 

I had 3 days left to complete the painting.. so first started with sketching all the panels..

Painted panels 

After assembling..

With the Desi Kaavad and the MDF one..

 The story unfolds....

Western Ghats - I

Few clicks from a trip to Agumbe last November. 

Camping at Sitanadi nature camp

Sitanadi nature camp

Sitanadi nature camp

 Trek to Narasimha Parvatha (13 Km) from Malandur side

Fungi, on-route to Narasimha parvatha

Upstream of Barkana falls

On-route to the peak

Funnel Web

Kundadri Betta

Kundadri Betta

Kundadri Betta

Kundadri Betta

Jain Temple, Kundadri Betta

Kundadri Betta

Lalbagh_Aug2016

The highlight of the 2016 August Flower show, which also celebrates the birth centenary of Dr. M. H. Maregowda, is the floral creation of the Parliament House, New Delhi. Inside the Glasshouse, details of contributions made by Dr. M. H. Maregowda to the development of horticulture and his famous quotes on farmers and the agricultural sector were showcased.

Other attractions include Floral windmill and Temperate Garden conceptualized by FernHill Garden, Ooty to spread the concept of Green Energy.

Giant Bamboos from Sikkim at display

Floral Peacock 

Another beautiful display was of these carnivorous plants

Carnivorous plants