Reviving the Past: Reimagining India’s Ancient Murals
I have always been fascinated by historical monuments and paintings. Growing up, I heard countless stories from my grandmother about my grandfather’s travelogue series on Ajanta, Ellora, Badami, and Hampi, which sparked my imagination.
I often wondered how an incomplete or weathered Indian mural might have looked in its original glory.
This artwork, which completes the figure of Panamalai Umai—a 6th-century Pallava marvel—is one such effort to bring the beauty of an age-old tradition to life.
For further information about this painting, visit
https://poetryinstone.in/en/2011/08/19/the-pride-of-panamalai-recreated-part-1/
https://poetryinstone.in/en/2011/09/06/the-pride-of-panamalai-recreated-part-2/
These paintings are an interpretation of the Airavatesvara Temple’s intricate pillar from Darasuram, Tamil Nadu.
It explores the dialogue between personal values that shape an individual’s character—passion, responsibility, loyalty, care, respect, and integrity—woven into the composition.
Created as part of a two-painting series, this artwork reflects the timeless connection between heritage and human virtues.
A watercolour painting of "Rasaleela" in Manipuri style captures the divine and ethereal dance of Lord Krishna with the gopis (milkmaids) in a vibrant, graceful scene.
The delicate strokes and soft washes of watercolour bring to life the fluid movement of the dancers, with Krishna at the centre, playing his flute, surrounded by the gopis, who are captured mid-dance in flowing, circular motion.
The figures are rendered with fine, graceful details, reflecting the elegance of Manipuri dance posture. The backdrop might feature lush, serene landscapes, with gentle blues, greens, and subtle earth tones that evoke the spiritual and natural harmony of the moment.
The soft, translucent nature of watercolour enhances the mystical, dreamlike quality of this sacred dance, embodying the divine union between Krishna and the gopis.
This watercolour painting of Krishna captures the divine serenity and ethereal beauty of the beloved deity. Using delicate washes and fluid brushstrokes, the artwork evokes a sense of devotion and tranquillity, blending soft hues to reflect Krishna’s celestial presence.
Inspired by traditional Indian art, the piece brings together elements of mythology and artistic expression, portraying Krishna as the embodiment of love, wisdom, and harmony. The interplay of light and colour adds a dreamlike quality, inviting the viewer into a meditative and spiritual experience.