Chirantan Ghosh’s Painting Blog

বিজয়া (Bijoya): Victorious

noreply@blogger.com ("C") — Thu, 22 Oct 2026 02:44:17 -0700

বিজয়া (Bijoya) literally means, a lady who is victorious, in Bengali language. Culturally, it is attributed to the final day (Vijaya Dashami) of battle where the goddess Durga defeats darkness with her devine light. The cultural heritage of Bengal revolves around this celebration and the people wait an entire year to see Ma Durga.

Lately this celebration has become more about exhibiting oneself… the significance of light defeating dark in the form of the mother Goddess, has become totally secondary. It might have been just any other celebration where selfie and flex culture takes over traditions, heritage and sobriety.

I’m just a guy to pick up the brush to paint what I see… the audience might disagree or agree, this is just my social satire on a medium I’m comfortable with.

In the end, this is a 14” x 28” mix media contemporary painting, with some impressionistic experimentation in the background.

ETERNAL TRANSFORMATION - Installation concept

noreply@blogger.com ("C") — Sat, 5 Sep 2026 10:23:38 -0700

Just submitted this installation concept to The Wassergarten Reden (Water garden of Grube Reden) for the industrial monument in the Schiffweiler, Saarland of Germany. Historically this was the site of former Grube Reden coal mine. I sincerely hope that this idea finds a home at Reden.

কুন্তী (Kunti): The Sun Worshipper

noreply@blogger.com ("C") — Thu, 21 May 2026 01:48:59 -0700

কুন্তী or Kunti was a character of the Mahabharata.She tried to be an ideal mother of the protagonists, Pandavas. Alas, she was only a human… this piece explores the human nature of that character.

Since her husband, king Pandu, was unable to procreate, with his consent, she worshiped the Devas and became “blessed” with three of the eldest Pandavas. During her maiden years, Kunti had served the ill tempered sage, Rishi Durvasa. As a reward, the mighty rishi taught a sacred mantra to invoke any Devas to bear powerful demigod sons with them. As a playful young maiden, she wanted to test the mantra, before her marriage and invoked the Sun god, SuryaDeva. This resulted her having her first child - Karna - whom she abandoned to regain social acceptance. Karna, later becomes the tragic antihero; who is one of the most phenomenal warriors of that time, charitable to a fault, loyal to his friend resulting to his utter demise.

This mix media painting, 14” x 28”, captures the inception moment of Karna.

Apologies for not uploading a high resolution image. Found out, people are downloading and using my creation. However, you can click on the image to zoom and see the detail of the brushworks.

Here's the 'Making of Kunti' on popular demand :)

अहं ब्रह्मास्मि (aham brahmāsmi) — I’m All and all is me

noreply@blogger.com ("C") — Sun, 4 Jan 2026 19:54:00 -0800

aham brahmāsmi (अहं ब्रह्मास्मि / অহং ব্রহ্মাস্মি) is a Mahāvakya (one of the summaries) of the Upanishads from the Yajur Veda. It means, “I am Brahman” or ‘I’m the Divine’. The philosophy of Advaita Vedanta implies the oneness of the individual self (Atman) with the universal reality (Brahman).

This mix media painting 8.44” x 6” is my humble articulation and visualization of the Mahāvakya. I look forward to your interpretation of this canvas, as comments.

তিয়াদি (Tia Di)

noreply@blogger.com ("C") — Thu, 1 Jan 2026 05:30:00 -0800

Dear তিয়াদি (Tia Di),

We miss you!

Didn’t know that someday I’ll paint this. Had I been gifted, would write a requiem, a music that matched your passion for Life. You were always full of Life. Please accept my humble homage inspired by your love for colors. Fondly remembering the days in the foothills of himalaya.

Our love goes to Krishna Kaki, Soumya Da, Tisha, Priyanka and Mitadru from Saumya, Arnab and Chirantan.

This mix media painting is 24” x 26” and product of a night of silence.

The Namesake

noreply@blogger.com ("C") — Tue, 11 Nov 2025 13:19:00 -0800

A renowned oncologist from the US happens to be my namesake and someone I respect like an elder brother. How does one repay the kindness of a doctor who is dedicated to fight against cancer and against all odds, save the precious human lives? Simply, not possible to repay this brave heart with the kindest touch. Hence, in my humble way, I’ve dedicated this 18” x 24” mixed media painting to Chirantan Da. It happens to be that Dr. Ghosh hails from my hometown, Kolkata. In this portrait, I have attempted to capture the cultural heritage of Bengali lifestyle in the quintessential old Kolkata backdrop.

কল্মষমোষিণি (Kolmosh-moshini): Vanquisher of Darkness

noreply@blogger.com ("C") — Sat, 27 Sep 2025 05:57:00 -0700

কল্মষমোষিণি in Bengali means the one who brings about the end of sins or darkness. This adjective is bestowed upon the deity, mother Durga, who brings the end of — Mahisashur (all powerful demon) signifying our own inner darkness. She is the mother who helps us overcome all darkness, and nurtures with light and the greens of creation. This 15” x 11” mixed media canvas is homage to my Bengali heritage, it is a creative expression of sincere respect.

Pehelgam

noreply@blogger.com ("C") — Wed, 30 Apr 2025 12:30:00 -0700

This 12” x 24” mixed media painting is my reaction to the massacre of Pehelgam, where innocent tourists were gunned down by terrorists. Lost a colleague, who was there with his wife and son! The biggest disappointment and disillusionment were the lack of outcomes [1 May 2025]… the colors speak for themselves and of my emotions.

উড়ন্ত (Uronto): Flying

noreply@blogger.com ("C") — Thu, 13 Mar 2025 19:04:00 -0700

উড়ন্ত (Uronto) literally means flying… for me it’s more than that. It’s also about freedom, precision and engineering marvel of nature. This is a 18” x 24” mixed media painting inspired from my visit to Düsseldorf Kunst im Tunnel and the Sundarban region of Bengal.

Dragonflys are amazing flyers, they can fly 20-35 miles/ hour (30-55 Km/hour), have almost 360• view, turn on dime, fly backwards while in flight. However, the blue-tailed bee-eater catcher still plucks it out of the sky… such is nature. So let’s enjoy the time we have for carefree flight.

আলাপন (Alapon): Communion

noreply@blogger.com ("C") — Sat, 15 Feb 2025 16:04:00 -0800

আলাপন or Alapon means communion. This could be of colors and emotions. This 8” x 10” mixed media painting is an adaptation of a previous series but speaks to me better. To me, this is an attempt to bridge the gap between earthly and ethereal, the individual and the universal.

The title, Alapon, is rooted in the Indian classical music traditions, refers to the slow improvisational introduction to a raga - a space void of lyrics - only an exploration of notes. Once paired with Communion, we explore the true spiritual or human connection - excluding dialogue - that exists in the “pre-speech” of the soul… the resonance of silence.

পবন (Pawan): Gale

noreply@blogger.com ("C") — Mon, 10 Feb 2025 10:45:00 -0800

পবন or Pawan literally means the wind. This mixed media painting is 12” x 15” and it explores the boundaries of traditional landscape with figure line-art with a touch of impressionism. The name of emperor Ashoka’s steed was Pawan because of his speed. Story goes that Pawan saved the young prince’s life, breaking enemy formations with his charge and took Ashoka to sanctuary in the Himalayas. Here, Gale captures the spirit of wind and wild nature of untamed horses.

লোহিতা (Lohita): Crimsona

noreply@blogger.com ("C") — Sun, 12 Jan 2025 14:13:00 -0800

লোহিতা (Lohita): Crimsona is a 22” x 29” exploration in mixed media to test out a technique of brushstrokes. This is a painting where I want the audience to come very close to observe the deliberate details and also step back a bit and squint their eyes to enjoy the title.

হেমন্ত (Hemonto) - Autumn

noreply@blogger.com ("C") — Fri, 5 Apr 2024 10:52:00 -0700

“Hemonto” means autumn in Bengali (my mother tongue and an eastern Indian language). The word implies not just the arrival of winter but also a beautiful season of colors and possibilities. This mixed media piece is an homage to the greatest painter of all, nature.

This piece was inspired by my tenure at the Three Sisters at Katoomba, NSW and Smithfield, QLD, Australia.

I’m posting a large image but kindly refrain from copying 🙏🏼

गच्छति (gacchati) - to go to/toward

noreply@blogger.com ("C") — Sat, 1 Jul 2023 14:07:00 -0700

“Gacchati” is a Pali (one of the ancient Indian languages) word that implies to move toward … now, that could be toward one’s goal or future. This mixed media piece (42” x 28”) explores duality of life. The past might have less light as it fades from memory yet, we remember bright moments. The future does imply aging/mortality … yet, wiser new realizations make us seek the unexplored light!

अहम् (Aham) - Self

noreply@blogger.com ("C") — Sun, 21 Mar 2021 17:51:00 -0700

अहम् (Aham) means self in Sanskrit. It is journey to discover oneself, that one is a part of all. This is a mixed media painting 21”x27”, inspired by my travels. Today we are so much focused on the ‘me’ and ‘mine’ that the realization of “self” is almost like a distant dream... we all can rise from our base emotions, look inward, into the miracles of nature, introspect and discover our true self in this infinite universe.

Double click on the image to view a larger version for a detailed view.

Concentrix

noreply@blogger.com ("C") — Mon, 19 Feb 2018 02:30:00 -0800

Concentrix - Our world is governed by butterfly effects, every action creates a ripple of equal and opposite reactions. Why not try to save the Greens & Blues?

Isho ঈশ

noreply@blogger.com ("C") — Sat, 14 May 2016 05:12:00 -0700

গণেশ ( গণ - ঈশ ) Dedicated to Lord Ganesha

Spring Sun

noreply@blogger.com ("C") — Tue, 23 Jun 2015 14:26:00 -0700

This is a mixed media painting done on a wooden panel with a compatible range of acrylic colors that blend well with the organic powder colors used in Holi festival. Imagine, if you were taking a dip in a clear pool and looked up from beneath the surface of the water.

The Moon Priestess

noreply@blogger.com ("C") — Sat, 7 Feb 2015 04:47:00 -0800

This is a mixed media 24" x 36" painting inspired by ERB's (Edgar Rice Burroughs) novels. The Sun is considered perfect and glorious, whereas Moon bears the imperfections i.e. more close to us, the flawed humans. She is the worshiper of moon, a deity that is similar to her walks of life. Wish, I could post a larger image to show the colors and texture ranges but people use copy/paste too much :)

দ্বিতীয়া । A Brother’s Sister

noreply@blogger.com ("C") — Sat, 18 Oct 2014 01:37:00 -0700

This one is dedicated to my lil sis - দ্বিতীয়া. Mixed media 24" x 36", finished 18th Oct '14

দ্বার (Dwaar)

noreply@blogger.com ("C") — Sun, 1 Sep 2013 04:25:00 -0700

Dwaar or Doorway is another adaption of "Temptation"

তর্পণ (Torpon)

noreply@blogger.com ("C") — Sat, 22 Jun 2013 18:00:00 -0700

Mixed media 24" x 30" - A tribute to the master, Jackson Pollock.

তর্পণ (Torpon) or tarpan is an Indian ritual of remembering and paying respect to late gurus / ancestors/ deities by offering water (symbolizing life force).

As you see, she is not just a woman (who doesn't have the rights to perform torpon according to practiced Hinduism), her head is shaved too i.e. suggesting the sacrifice of a monk. Her accentuated front hands ... shaped like heart, suggesting homage is what matters not gender. Notice there is a straight line dividing her (not proportionately), the indication of duality of one's nature (didn't like to play with the ordho-narishwar/ half-man-half-woman concept here). She doesn't gaze at the moon, who brings peace to her heart, that which, she lavishes to her dear Earth. She doesn't look at us/viewer as her intent is to completely feel the emotion of gratitude, that is borne from the understanding of her ancestral gifts... She is naked to judgements of her imperfections, with the calmness within. Notice the side hands, they suggest praying pose outside of Hinduism i.e. the act of Torpon is for all humanity.

A verse in Sanskrit meant to be used in the ritual of tarpan says, “ॐ सर्व पितृ देवताभ्यो नमः।” meaning, ‘Om, (our/my) salutations to all ancestors (who are now considered enlightened beings. ‘Deva’ doesn’t always mean God/deity; it also refers to beings who are now in an enlightened plane/stage of understanding the true meaning of creation and its purpose). Hence, one can simplistically say the act of tarpan is paying homage.

Union

noreply@blogger.com ("C") — Mon, 8 Apr 2013 12:03:00 -0700

This is an adaptation of my earlier painting "Biporit"... yeah I love riot of colors!

"The world is not dialectical - it is sworn to extremes, not to equilibrium, sworn to radical antagonism, not to reconciliation or synthesis. This is also the principle of evil." — Jean Baudrillard

প্রচ্ছন্ন (Pro-chhonno) Veiled

noreply@blogger.com ("C") — Sat, 9 Feb 2013 12:59:00 -0800

This is a digital media art inspired during the Durga Pujas.

প্যাঁচানো (Peñchæno): Reticulated

noreply@blogger.com ("C") — Sat, 9 Feb 2013 12:59:00 -0800

Me and my paintings, both are sorta twisted...here goes "Reticulated" in mixed media. We always tend to focus...majorly in the center. The idea here, is not to have the observer focus on a single section of the painting... in my BFF's words "Roving Eyes" :)