The 2018 Calendar project by A Hundred Hands

It was a privilege to be a part of the first ever calendar by A Hundred Hands for 2018.
We were a mix of 12 artists - some self-trained artists like me and some National award winning artists - each doing a different form of Indian painting! :) 

So, what is so special about this calendar? This calendar is based on 'Mudras' - hand gestures - something which is core to the traditional Indian dance form. And besides, we are all in the business of handmade art and craft!! :) 
The paintings for each of the month are: 
Kerala Mural Painting, Gond, Water colour and Calligraphy, Pattachitra, Warli (that is what i have done), Surpur Miniature painting, Kalighat, Mysore Art, Zentangles, Mughal Miniature, Madhubani and Sanjhi paper cut. 

A detailed post on the  'A Hundred Hands' facebook page can be found here

What is predominant in these Indian forms of painting:
Kerala Mural painting - these depict stories of Shiva and Rama
Gond tribal painting - involves a lot of line work, mostly based on nature.
Pattachitra - fabric painting based on mythology
Warli - folk art by the Warli tribe - based on nature
Surpur Miniature art from Karnataka - based on Vedic themes.
Kalighat painting - from Bengal based on mythology
Mysore art - are famous for attention to detail -again based on mythology.
Zentangle art - structured patterns - white and black - an art known to relax the mind
Mughal Miniature painting - mainly based on stories of the Mughal empire.
Madhubani - from Bihar - colourful and based on nature.
Sanjhi paper cut - one of the oldest forms of paper cutting in India - a picture of it is on the calendar.

Here is a photo of what i did - the Warli painting - size A3 on canvas cloth. The mudra that i was to work on is the 'Kartari Swastika Mudra' which denotes stems, branches, hill tops and trees. So the original paintings were sold while the digital prints are available as either a A5 size desktop calendar or an A3 size wall calendar. In case you want to order for this unique collection of traditional Indian paintings based on Mudras, do visit the A Hundred Hands facebook page and order for one! :)

The beauty of the Taj Mahal

Disclaimer: This blog is only an attempt to appreciate the art that is on display at the Taj Mahal through my camera lens without deviating into the history, present day politics, religious stories or any other controversies...so here goes:

-------------------------------------------------------

The Taj Mahal -- one of the seven wonders of the world, a UNESCO world heritage site, the winner of the New 7 wonders of the world, an expression of love by a king for his queen, the jewel of India! So much said about the Taj..and why not! This gigantic structure is regarded as one of the one of the most attention-grabbing man made monuments of the world. 

If you expect to see this majestic monument as you pass the entry gates, you are in for a longer wait! 

The entire Taj complex consists of five major constituents: 

1)Darwaza (main gateway)

2) Bageecha (gardens)

3) Masjid (mosque)

4) Naqqar Khana (rest house)

5) Rauza (main mausoleum or tomb).

Have a look at the detailed map here:

http://www.compasswhistle.com/2013/07/you-look-like-an-idiot-pinching-the-taj-mahals-dome-and-other-observations-from-agra/taj-mahal-map-edit/

The main gateway prevents anyone from getting even a glimpse of the tomb until one has crossed the doorway- the Darwaza. This doorway, in itself is beautifully decorated in symmetric, calligraphic verses from Holy Quran and a big dome covered central chamber.

As soon as you enter, you cannot help stop and admire this majestic beauty! :) 

Pictures : Left : Taj during Sunset, Right: Taj during sunrise.

The Taj Mahal stands on an elevated square platform with four minarets on each corner of this square.

The view from the left and behind the Taj Mahal.

Now, the Taj has some wonderful art to admire : inlay work and carving.

Inlay art is a type of mosaic work where the soft marble is carved out and of multi-coloured precious stones are inlayed. 

This work is found both on the interior and the exterior walls of the tomb.

The center structure in white marble is flanked by 2 structures (a mosque and a resthouse) on either side made of red sandstone giving a sense of symmetry and color contrast. The two red sandstone structures stunning in themselves are mirror images of each other. One cannot help walk around inside taking in the beauty and silence! :) 

 The beautiful lush green gardens frame the structure perfectly! You get to see a fusion of lines -  horizontal with vertical on the one hand and straight with curved on the other! :)

Overall, you feel floored after visiting the Taj Mahal, the monumental scale of effort involved in creating and beautifying this complex amazes you. A true masterpiece in itself, the Taj leaves an imprint in your mind forever! :)