Tuesday, November 12, 2019

Bhairav Se Bhairavi Tak





A series of paintings , inspired by Indian Classical Raagas (North Indian). Six of these pieces were showcased recently in Naari Narayani Dwitiya, an exhibition by 17 women artists, on the theme 'Rivers of India', curated by artist Vasanth Rao. Just as a Classical music concert moves from Morning to Evening and back to morning again , singing Raagas from different time periods of the day, I have imagined the daylight on the waters of a river. Beginning with a morning Raaga f...rom the Bhairav family, the concluding piece in the concert is a morning Raaga from the Bhairavi family.
This exhibition was a different experience for me. Extremely tightly curated, the concept and research itself started since more than six months before the exhibition. Then meetings, drawings, submissions, rejections, composition finalisation, colour composition and finishing touches. I feel I have reached somewhere, though according to the curator, my journey has just begun. I have to work really hard! #raagaproject
Note: A Raag or a Raaga is a musical setting in Indian Classical music, using at least five of the seven notes, wherein compositions are made using these notes and some prescribed rules.

Bhairav. 24x24 inches. Acrylic on Canvas 

 The sun breaks through the morning skies, casting beautiful, bright but calm colours into the waters of the river.In India, morning river is used for a holy dip and offerings to the Sun God.Bhairav is often the opening composition in a concert, associated with calmness and solemnity . Sung early in the morning, it is also associated with Lord Shiva. Many devotional songs are composed in this Raag



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Jaunpuri . 24x 24 inches. Acrylic on Canvas.
Mid morning light on waters of the river. Raag Jaunpuri is sung during mid morning to noon, as some folklore suggests that this Raag took birth in the darbar ( gathering in a royal court) of the Sultana of Jaunpur. The Raag has an appeal of grandeur and has also been widely used in Carnatic Classical music

       Brindavani Sarang. 24x 24 inches. Acrylic on Canvas.

   The afternoon light is steady and composed on the waters of a river. It neither has the trepidations of the morning , nor the in-between uncertainty of the mid morning. It is nice and lazy . Brindavani Sarang, an afternoon Raga, is also a Raaga sung in the Summer Season.




 



Poorvi. 24x24 inches. Acrylic on Canvas.

The river at dusk is full of romance.Many a courtship has bloomed in this light . The river is heavy with the secrets of the day and waits in anticipation of the beautiful night! Raag Poorvi is sung at dusk and has a mysterious and quiet nature. Though not a very commonly sung Raaga, some of it's related Raagas are more commonly sung.
#poorvi







     Bageshri. 24x24 inches Acrylic on Canvas.

The night river is still but deep with emotions of its own. The same river which was shining with the glints of the sun during the day is now shimmering with the shine of the moon and stars . The night
   river is dauntingly beautiful, yet heart tugging!  Bageshri is sung late at night and its compositions often speak of the angst of a woman waiting for a lover who has gone to another land .


    






 






Bhairavi. 24x 24 inches. Acrylic on Canvas.
The morning dawns with great promise , as the light rays of the sun break through the waters of the river. It is time to rejoice the end of a full cycle from morning to dusk and again back to dawn!
Bhairavi is a morning Raaga which is often sung as a concluding piece in a musical concert. The concert which opens with a morning Raaga ( Bhairav) and traver...ses through the different time periods ( prahar) , has now passed through the night and as dawn breaks, it ends with Raaga Bhairavi. It is time to go home. Start a new day! Bhairavi is associated with sweet minor notes and the mood is pleasant and compositions in this Raaga are replete with modulations. In mythology, Bhairavi is also deemed the consortof Bhairav ( Lord Shiva). Many light and semi classical compositions like thumris ( semi classical , sweet compositions) are based on this Raaga.