Sarvottam Quality Cinema

"Sarvottam Quality Cinema"
Acrylic on canvas - 36" x 48"

Numerous Hindi films are produced in India every year. Words fall short on describing what they collectively represent, but I like to refer to them as a social movement or a becoming.

A movement that dates back to the age of scriptures and oral story telling traditions. One which gave foundation to our social norms, the acceptable human behaviors and of course the edification that comes with it. Today it is through this medium that we observe the good, the evil and the muddy areas of our society in a framed setting.

In this arena vastly differing sections of society, rich or not so rich, old and young, women and men; all choose to come and sit together for a few hours of shared commonality. There is no better place to collectively view our prevailing social norms and customs even if they are through escapist fantasies wherein all seems possible.

I find this type of cinema to be a social guide book of sorts in the guise of a multi faceted performance filled with entertainment. More importantly I see it central to the ‘celebration’ of our social conscience, where we acknowledge our likes, dislikes and our role models.

Sarvottam Quality Television

"Sarvottam Quality Television"
Acrylic on Canvas - 36" x 48"

I feel that it is a truism. The Indian television industry has surely morphed the thought process of at least two to three generations. Good or bad that we may not be able to tell for certain, but it has surreptitiously adjusted our behavior in an almost permanent manner. Sometimes I think, it is like the Krishna cow in our environment. 'Everywhere'. The cable TV box has become an omnipresent reality.

Round the clock, music, news and daily soaps dominate the air waves asking us to see things from someone else’s point of view. It has come to mean different things to different people. Like a magnate its pull is strong and is linked to base human needs, our behavior, our likes and also dislikes.

In celebration of the TV God, life truly looks always ok! Till today from when it started the TV fixation has boldly claimed that ‘we are like that only’. Do mind it if you can or even if you cannot.

Sarvottam Quality Advertising

"Sarvottam Quality Advertising"
Acrylic on Canvas - 36" x 48"

Advertising in the Indian context means different things to different people. Icons of industry and business have product placement a necessity. But some have transcended in such a wide manner from one generation to the next that they almost seem an essential part of our daily lives.

My early work in advertising and copy writing brought me in sync with some of  these seemingly everlasting images. We live and breathe the messages they impart and  look at them through our inner mind with such regularity that it has left an unshakeable imprint on our psyche.

Yes, products do evolve and so does the variety of images we befriend, but the process with each is the similar. Each has a compelling story within a story to tell. We as consumers take our tentative steps towards them with a desire to own, but it is they who end up owning us.

Jai Maa Durga

"Jai Maa Durga"

Acrylic on Canvas - 48" x 60"

In Hindu mythology, the goddess has various forms. Durga the invincible is an incarnation of Shakti the female power. Just like the God Shiva she too is worshipped as the Supreme Being signifying the active feminine energy. Omniscient and multifaceted Durga is the goddess of creation, preservation and destruction of the world. The human female form manifests all these characteristics of the divine with the Lasya dance. The dance is the dance of beauty, happiness and grace. It is the response to Shiva's Tandav dance which is of death and destruction. Durga is always gloriously deified in our temples and people subject themselves to go through extreme personal sacrifice just to have one glimpse (darshan) of their goddess. Their gold and jewel donations as offerings at the temple and the respect imparted to the goddess image are at times is staggering to witness.


In the human incarnation, she incorporates the duties of a daughter, a friend, a spouse, and a mother. She is the embodiment of all encompassing creativity and fertility. Yet our obdurate society has been careless countless times by not recognizing or celebrating the woman force in our midst. So often in our immaturity, we are guilty of having subjected abuse and violence on a woman’s character, her persona or even her very presence amongst us. It should be realized that she in her earthly form will always remain an avatar of Durga the omnipotent and fearless. She does and will remain the force that moves civilizations forward nurturing one generation after the next in this constant cycle of life and death.


Primal Shakti, I bow to Thee!
All-Encompassing Shakti, I bow to Thee!
That through which Divine Creates, I bow to Thee!
Creative Power of the Kundalini, Mother of all Mother Power, To Thee I Bow!

Singham

"Singham"

Acrylic on Canvas - 36" x 48"

Ashoka the Great is considered one of ancient India's greatest emperors. With the lion as the kingdom’s symbol, his ferocious and bloodthirsty military advancements knew no bounds and were extensive throughout the Asian sub-continent. After many battles his insatiable hunger for conquest ended after a pyrrhic victory over the kingdom of Kalinga. Witnessing thousands dead by his diktat and the extreme futility of war he became a changed man. Post this battle he converted to Buddhism and with his son and daughter is credited with the expansion of the faith not just in India but all over the world.


The lion had become a Buddhist and from then on had proceeded to calmly preside over the country with guidance, precision and justice for all. His peaceful administration led to political harmony with the state and the people as equal participants in nation building. India today celebrates Ashoka’s pacifism in its ideological outlook, and has embraced his symbol of the lion as the seal of the government and the seat of leadership.


However, in our modern times we are finding the faith being constantly questioned and challenged with political protest and severity to the extent of self-immolations. These past few years, the repeated clashes against Buddhism are becoming more common as the faith is forced and stimulated to find its Voice. One must not forget that the religion's calm demeanor comes from a long and rich history; much of which has been conscious deliberation and self realization. The calmness should not be considered a sign of weakness as it belies the hidden immense strength, knowledge and attainment of inner peace. To say the least, we must not let this lion be untamed again.


Buddham saranam gacchami (I go to the Buddha for refuge)
Dhammam saranam gacchami (I go to the Dhamma for refuge)
Sangham saranam gacchami (I go to the Sangha for refuge)

Abhinay - The Act Part 1

"Each Kalasam Thee"
Abhinay - The Act Part 1
Acrylic on Paper - 29" x 40"

The Northern Malabar region of Kerala celebrates the worship of Theyyam which in in current form takes it lineage from a few thousand years back. It is a surprising reversal of societal roles with the performers coming from the working class while the devotees from the ruling class. For those few days the working class now as performers are revered as they never would ever be in their normal lives. A well digger becomes an incarnation and is worshipped by a money lender. There is no stage and the whole performance is acted out in the village open. As the dance progresses from one step to the next, a new layer of costume is put on each time. And each step (Kalasam) taken by the performer is a step closer to becoming God.

Abhinay - The Act Part 2

"Become I God"
Abhinay - The Act Part 2
Acrylic on Canvas - 25" x 37"

Abhinay - The Act Part 3

"Each Kalasam I Become Thee God"
Abhinay - The Act Part 3
Acrylic on Canvas - 25" x 37"

Abhinay - The Act Part 4

"Kalasam Each God I Become Thee"
Abhinay - The Act Part 4
Acrylic on Canvas - 25" x 37"

Bhikku 1

"Bhikkhu 1"
Acrylic on Paper - 40" x 29"

Living within the monastic framework with discipline, young life is shaped to enter the Sangha. Starting early and when qualified at age, the Bhikku takes vows to attain liberation from suffering and to transcend both good and evil. With sublime conduct and clear understanding of the world, they symbolize teachings of Buddha in our modern times.

Bhikku 2

"Bhikkhu 2"
Acrylic on Paper - 40" x 29"

Living within the monastic framework with discipline, young life is shaped to enter the Sangha. Starting early and when qualified at age, the Bhikku takes vows to attain liberation from suffering and to transcend both good and evil. With sublime conduct and clear understanding of the world, they symbolize teachings of Buddha in our modern times..

Bhikku 3

"Bhikkhu 3"
Acrylic on Paper - 40" x 29"
Living within the monastic framework with discipline, young life is shaped to enter the Sangha. Starting early and when qualified at age, the Bhikku takes vows to attain liberation from suffering and to transcend both good and evil. With sublime conduct and clear understanding of the world, they symbolize teachings of Buddha in our modern times.

Bhikku 4

"Bhikkhu 4"
Acrylic on Paper - 40" x 29"
Living within the monastic framework with discipline, young life is shaped to enter the Sangha. Starting early and when qualified at age, the Bhikku takes vows to attain liberation from suffering and to transcend both good and evil. With sublime conduct and clear understanding of the world, they symbolize teachings of Buddha in our modern times.

Gayatri Mantra



"Gayatri Mantra"
Acrylic on Paper - 40" x 29"

The Vedic poetic metre of 24 syllables. It is addressed to God as the divine life-giver, symbolized by Savitr (the sun) and is most often recited at sunrise and sunset. We meditate on the glory of that Being who has produced this universe; may He enlighten our minds.

Jai Hanuman!




"Jai Hanuman!"
Acrylic on Paper - 40" x 29"

An awadhi poem written by Tulsidas, is the most well known piece of literature apart from the Ramacharitamanasa. Victory of Thee, O Hanuman, Ocean of wisdom and virtue, victory to the Lord of the monkeys who is well known in all the three worlds. The yellow of the sun that Hanuman wanted to eat as a mango against the blue sky like color with the ardent vermilion covered devotee in the foreground.

Sri Yantra

"Sri Yantra 1 and 2"
Acrylic on Paper - 12" x 12"

In the Sri Yantra, there are nine interlocking triangles that surround and radiate out from the central bindu. Four upward isosceles triangles represent Shiva or the Masculine and Five downward isosceles triangles represent the Feminine Shakti. Together the nine triangles overlap to create 43 smaller triangles symbolizing cosmic creation. It is a visual aid to reach higher states of conciousness and deep meditation

Durga Yantra

"Durga Yantra 1 and 2"
Acrylic on Paper - 12" x 12"

The Durga Yantra is a powerful yantra to conquer ones foes and signifies courage and victory. It is said that the worship of this yantra will gift a person with the blessings of the Goddess Durga to remove the harmful influences and attain victory in life.