Mahabharata – My Dwarka
Cities are a reflection of the ones who built them. The prosperous city of Dwarka, which was capital of Lord Krishna’s kingdom, was a gateway to heaven. Located in modern day Gujarat, the city of Dwarka is often compared to the city of Atlantis, maybe because they both suffered the same fate of being plunged into the depths of the sea.
This painting represents a moment in the daily life of Dwarka. It was described as a vast area in which architecture, palaces and houses are fully merged in the natural landscape of the west coast of India. You can see Krishna and Balarama in a relaxed conversation, framed by marble and bronze. The sky is painted with lightful strokes creating a wide space for legendary figures and flying creatures that break through a banal perception.
£ 155.00 – £ 795.00
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Mahabharata – The Rush of the Hero
£ 165.00 – £ 755.00 BUYBhismadeva, also called Pitamaha – the patriarch, is an oxymoron between old age and his surprising agility and superhuman strength. Fate and code of honour had decided that he was to stand against the Pandavas. Even as he was fighting them in his heart he was on their side.
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Mahabharata – Save my Honour
£ 160.00 – £ 770.00 BUYOf all the events in the Pandava’s lives, this must be one of the lowest.
Right after having lost the Kingdom and Draupadi’s dignity at the dice contest the Pandavas went into exile in the forest. Krishna saved her honour, by performing a miracle. He provided her unlimited fabric of her sari to prevent her from being disrobed in public.
The nocturnal setting and the light cutting through the darkness, in this moving artwork, contributes to enhance the drama. Krishna consoles Draupadi promising her that everything will be remedied. The desperate face of the woman right in front of the self-effulgent blue God. King Yudhishthira on the right side is the most afflicted, feeling guilty for the big defeat. The painting is in continuity with the “Pandavas were cheated” artwork.
This is the moment when the idea of war mounts seriously although they continued for another 13 year in exile.
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Mahabharata – In the Tent
£ 155.00 – £ 705.00 BUYThe composition and the distribution of the light recall the expressive language of the Italian Baroque period and the atmosphere is inspired by Caravaggio. The dramatic chiaroscuro charges with solemnity the tragic moment that heralds the death of Abhimanyu, the young champion of the Pandava army.
Coloured figurines of soldiers are deployed on the strategic plan, carefully studied by generals. The sharp dark and light enhances the concept that rationality in war has a very relative control over the outcome of the war, other qualities like wrath, courage, strength, resistance and hate contribute strongly to the fulfilment of the destiny. A dramatic sense of the game between karma – destiny – and free will permeate the scene.