Manatle Ghar

Water colour on paper 17" x 12"
Just peace and more peace.

Porch

Water colour on paper 14" x 9.5"
While roaming in one of the Government Institutions in Pune I came across this Porch. Was a treat to see something this beautiful in such an institution.

Same Time same place?

Water colour on hand made paper 14" x 9.5"
With a promise to meet at this same place again ..... we depart .... with a heavy heart and also with the hope of tomorrow.....

Miravnook (Procession)

Water colour on hand made paper

People in the Ganesh Festival procession. Everybody has only one thought in mind, The Lord is leaving - so the heart is heavy. But the thought that come what may He will surely come back next year is a bit of consolation.

There are tears in some eyes but as they say always say "Bye Bye" with a smile.

Tried to capture the Essence of the procession.

Dhol
Water colour on Canson cold pressed paper 18" x 24"

The main festival of Pune is "The Ganpati Festival". It is believed that Lord Ganesh visits and stays with us for a period of 10 days. Most homes install a Ganesh idol with elaborate rituals and seek blessings from him. The whole atmosphere is divine and energetic.
After 10 days, even when the heart is heavy as the Lord will be going away and will be missed for a year, a huge procession is organized in His honour.
Dhol is one of the instrument without which the procession just cannot be complete. The rhythm and beats of this instrument really takes the mind to some different level.

Landscapes

Greens

Water colour on hand made paper 14" x 9.5"

Tried to fiddle with single colour but could not resist to add that little bit of yellow.

Evening
Water colour on hand made paper 14 x 9.5"

Blend
Water colour on hand made paper 14" x 19"

One of my friend had a construction site in a place called Turade near Rasayani about 100 Kms from Pune. I had gone for the Puja ceremony when the first slab was going to be cast.

While roaming around in this very small village I came across a this typical house. The dry grass on the roof caught my eye instantly but I just loved the overall scene with the Auto rickshaw and the old scooter parked safely below the covered parking.

The line of clothes gave this painting that little human touch without actual humans roaming around ;-)

Mandaii (means Vegetable market )

Water Colour on Fabriano Artistico Cold pressed paper - 18" X 12"

In a Private collection

Here in Pune we have the main Vegetable Market in the heart of the city. The area is always full with Vegetables, fruits etc and therefore obviously full of people. The vegetable market is in a beautiful building built during the British rule, which is the backdrop of this painting.

The fountain in the painting is my view of how it should be ;-) but in reality a very busy road is at that place.

If only our city administrators see my painting and take some inspiration from it.

Till then I'll be happy looking at my creation and hope you will also be happy.

 

Tekdi

Water colour on Fabriano Artistico cold pressed paper - 12" x 18"

Nov 2011

There is a beautiful hill, or should I say range of small hills near my home. On one afternoon I had gone there for practicing my photography skills. I really have no idea how those turned out but one of the winding roads on the hill caught my attention.

 

The play of light and shadows, even during the afternoon when the sunlight was harsh, was worth painting.

The calmness also made the painting worth it.

Afternoon
Water colour on hand made paper, 14" x 9.5"

One afternoon I was totally bored. Absolutely right, was waiting for someone in a parking lot of an office ;-)
Beyond the wall was this garden and a beautiful view. Had not got my sketch pad with me so had to take most of it in ...... and try to keep it in my head.

Came back to my studio and painted this. The afternoon was a bit boring but the evening became great while trying to recollect and paint.

Hope you like it.

Shri Ganesh
Water colour on hand made paper, 14" x 9.5"

Time and again I get this feeling of visualizing "The Almighty" in various forms. One such visualization made me paint this.

Nothing done by me.... I just followed HIS instructions, as always ;-)

Serene
Water Color on Cold Press, Canson 18" x 24"
(SOLD)
Nov 2011

Sometimes it feels like just disappearing, away from the routine, to some place where, whether you know someone or not just does not matter, as there is no one around.
Still you do not feel lonely.
You just want to take in the calm, the beauty, the serenity. Just be yourself and be FOR yourself.

One such moment, one such place and one such hope, that I will be here someday ;-)

Clearing

After a long days walk... One finds just that perfect place to camp for the night.
The last sun rays are, as if, saying good bye and here the trees are just inviting the camper to rest in peace.
Dedicated to all my friends who go for treks, something which I have not done and somehow feel cannot do... Too lazy to walk ;-) ;-)

Shri Jagjit Singh

8 Feb 1941 - 10 Oct 2011...... but forever...

Aakash ka Suuna pan .... Mere Tanha maan me......

Introduced to me by one of my friend, to whom I will be thankful always, only for this ;-)

I am no one to write about his voice, his music or anything else but I can surely write about myself. Listening to him, I have always been transferred into another world, sometimes of outmost sorrow and sometimes of colourful joy, sometimes of sublime serenity and sometimes to an unexplained uneasiness. Just a voice has done so much for me that it is hard to accept his loss...... very hard.

Although I know that his voice will never go away but to see him sing, to see his smile, to hear him talk to his musicians till the time he is satisfied and even after that giving instructions to the person arranging the music..... ;-) I will miss that.

May your soul rest in peace Sir....

Four Friends
Maybe, the 3 rocks and the Tree have been friends for years, just maybe.
Maybe, they have survived the Storms for years together, just maybe.
Maybe, they have basked in the morning Sun and enjoyed the evening breeze, everyday.
Maybe, that is what they all are talking about on this magnificent evening. 

The Expanse
When I am on the beach viewing the expanse of the Sea I feel overwhelmed. Same feeling comes when I see the various such expanse. This time it is the Grass fields.
No matter how much man progresses Mother is probably reminding him to keep his feet on the ground.

Made in India...
The Festival season is round the corner and so is shopping. Or should I say the Shopping has started. Why not buy from an authentic Indian store? Tradition at its best. I didn't know why but I had to paint that statue in the door of the shop.

Reference photo used for this painting is by my friend Kaustubh Nandurbarkar, many thanks to him.

Gajraaj

It was the Ganesh Visarjan day... Immersion of Ganesh Idols. After a 10 day long festival this day always brings a bit of sadness in my mind as the beloved Lord leaves, only to come back after a year. To get out of this sadness I painted the Lord in a different way. 

Youth
Water colour on paper - Aug 2011
I am sure this guy also felt like the way I feel many times....
As they say.... Age is an issue of Mind over Matter..... if you don't mind it does not matter ;-)

God's work
Water colour on paper - Aug 2011
Walk near the local vegetable market in Pune - "The Mandaii" and one can find various small time flower sellers. The simplicity and beauty of their arrangement is just amazing. One such happy fellow sitting around his days sale. 

Flames
Water colour in paper - Aug 2011

Eve - Water colour on paper
August 2011
Beauty of nature lies in its simplicity. Beauty of man lies in his simplicity. Life is uncomplicated till we make it .... ;-)

Morning at Bus stand

A study of Swargate Bus Stand here in Pune.
The number of people traveling in the State Transport Bus is amazing, more over the reach of the State Transport buses is more than amazing.
Started way back in 1948, in 2006 over 7 million citizens were utilizing the service daily. (refer website link attached)
Everytime I see a State Transport bus plying on city roads, on remote roads in coastal Maharashtra or the rugged terrain in eastern parts of the state, I always think about it being as a lifeline for people living in those locations.
Every person might have a story of his own, from the Controller seen walking here to the person reading the morning news. The State Transport buses must be witness to countless such stories.
http://www.msrtc.gov.in

First Sale

One more from The Konkan region. Although the house is in typical Konkan style, with slanting tiled roof, some tin used to stay dry during the heavy monsoon and the bamboo curtains to keep the sun away.... this house also seems to have a business running. The owner probably feels the signboards are not enough so he has a display going on maybe to attract customers??? ;-) 

Just a l'll bit here and there and I will be ready for you as I was years ago.....

Fall.....
Colourful earth, colourful leaves and colourful mind. Peace, tranquillity and life. Love and harmony. What else do you want? ;-) 

Sea Stacks

Sea Stacks as they are known - are Rocks - both small and large jutting out on the beach. They themselves look just beautiful but they also are home for trees, birds and other animals. An amazing site to see.
For more read - http://travel.nationalgeographic.com/travel/national-parks/olympic-national-park/

This is a water color done from a photo taken during one of my excursions in Gatlinburg, Tennessee US. Amazing trails with beautiful play of light and darks, a little nip in the air and cascading waters. Wow. What else does one want. Just sit on one of the rocks and dream.... ;-)

Simple living can also be beautiful..... Can't it? Or should I say ONLY simple living is beautiful and PEACEFUL.... Right?
(This painting titeled "Hmmmm....." lies in a private collection)

Feels like sitting on that rock with feet in water, Fish tickling the feet and mind at peace in this beautiful evening. What else does one require?

Konkan - where else? Modified a photo I had taken from a spot on Mumbai Goa highway. Had to add a typical MOM and DAUGHTER moment viewing the sunset. Seems like they are talking about something beautiful... forgetting the everyday hardships for a moment. 

Konkan Glory

Konkan..... The Coastal region of Western Maharashtra, India.
This is one of my favorite regions, both for a road trip as well as for painting. One region where you might find beauty wherever you turn your head. Konkan boasts magnificent beaches, beautiful temples and simple people with smiling faces.

The Backwaters

Here I tried to capture the peace and tranquillity of the Backwaters of Kerala, India.

Modi Ganpati

Before beginning anything - being blessed by Ganpati or Ganesh - the God of Knowledge is mandatory in the Hindu culture. I therefore chose to paint a picture of Lord Ganesh Idol from the Modi Ganpati Mandir, Pune, India. This stone idol was found as it is - except the saffron color.
The trunk is on the right side, which makes the Idol more important and therefore rigorous daily routine is followed in the temple by the priest.
Don't forget to visit the temple when you are in Pune.
Modi Ganpati Mandir, Narayan Peth. Pune.