For the last 4 years, I have been engaged in crafting a series of paintings inspired by the timeless tales of the great Indian epic, the Ramayan.
Across diverse geographical regions, many renditions of the Ramayan have emerged, each offering unique perspectives and interpretations.
I aspire to create a distinguished compilation of paintings and stories from the Ramayan, presented in my distinctive "Maximalist-Miniaturist" signature style.
Drawing inspiration from the classic Valmiki Ramayan, traditional folklore, modern retellings, and my imaginative vision,
I endeavor to breathe new life into these ancient narratives.
आदि राम तपोवनादि गमनं, हत्वा मृगं कांचनम्। वैदीहीहरणं जटायुमरणं, सुग्रीव संभाषणम्।।
बालीनिर्दलनं समुद्रतरणं, लंकापुरीदाहनम्। पश्चाद् रावण कुम्भकर्ण हननम्, एतद्धि रामायणम्।।
The Song of the Cranes: Valmiki's Revelation
In the heart of a lush forest, where ancient trees whisper to each other, dwells the sage Valmiki. Each day, he immerses himself in meditation and prayer, finding solace in the tranquil solitude of nature.
One fateful day, as Valmiki sat meditating in the forest, he witnessed the love of two majestic cranes and was mesmerized by their graceful dance. Tragically, a hunter's arrow kills one of the cranes shattering the magical moment and plunging the other crane into the depths of agony.
Filled with righteous fury and profound grief, Valmiki curses the hunter, his words weaving a tapestry of sorrow and wrath. But as he uttered the words, a divine realization dawns upon him—a realization that would shape his destiny forever.
मा निषाद प्रतिष्ठां त्वमगमश्शाश्वतीस्समा: । यत्क्रौञ्चमिथुनादेकमवधी: काममोहितम् ॥
That night, as he sleeps beneath the stars, Brahma visits Valmiki in a dream and reveals the sacred power within Valmiki's words, a power that transcends mortal understanding and embodies the essence of truth itself.
Valmiki embraces this divine calling and sets out to immortalize the epic tale of Rama, inspired by the vision that unfolds before his eyes. Through his pen, he captures the saga of love, sacrifice, and divine destiny—a saga destined to resonate through the ages.
In my painting depicting this pivotal moment: Valmiki sits in silent contemplation surrounded by nature's splendor. The vibrant hues of the forest come alive, with emerald greens and amethyst purples mingling in twilight's embrace, while the cranes dance in graceful harmony.
The seeds of the Ramayana are sown amidst tragedy, but it blossoms into a timeless epic that is a testament to the enduring power of love, compassion, and the human spirit.