my artviews

2018-08-19T10:16:00.001-07:00

Little Cormorant (Phalacrocorax niger) is a widespread resident in

India

.
, Little Cormorants are glossy black with a greenish tint . Non-breeding adults and juveniles are browner with a white throat patch. Sexes similar. Little Cormorant can dive to considerable depths to catch fish. After feeding it perches atop a rock or low branch to dry its feathers with the wings outstretched. Little Cormorants breed in freshwater wetlands and on coasts. In Malayalam,it is known as cheria neer kakka.
To see the painting visit website www.sheelapadmanabhan.com

Thiruvathira

2015-01-04T09:04:00.001-08:00

Thruvathira festival takes place on the full moon night in the tamil month of Margazhi and malayalam month Dhanu(December–January) and this is also the longest night in a year.Thiruvathira is essentially a women's festival.Ladies in this day worship Lord Shiva and pray for conjugal harmony and marital bliss.The very interesting facet of this festival is the enchanting Thiruvathirakkali dance performed by women on this day.
Thiruvathira is said to be celebrated to commemorate The death of Kamadheva,The god of love according to Hindu mythology.. Some people also consider it auspicious to worship Lord Shiva on this day and take his Darshan in Shiva temples before sunrise.
This festival is extremely popular amongst womenfolk of Nambuthiri,Kshathriya and Nair communities in Kerala.Celebrations begin a week before from asterism Aswathi.Not withstanding the biting cold of the winter season,women wake up as early as 4 am and takes bath in the pond.While taking bath they sing songs in worship of Lord Kamadheva on the rhythm produced by splashing of water with their fist.. At he end ,they will stand in a circle holding hands of each other and sing songs and perform Thiruvathirakkali..Women observe fast on thiruvathira .Instead of rice meal,they take preparations of Chama (Panicum miliaceum) or wheat dishes besides fruit.There is also a tradition to eat hundred betel leaves on this day.At night women wear ten types of flowers and it is known as 'Pathirappoochoodal',meaning 'wearing of flowers in midnight" An image of Lord Shiva is placed in the central court yard of Kerala homes and a big brass lamp will be lit in front of it. Offerings of flowers, plantains and jaggery are made before the god and then they will perform the very elegant Thiruvathira dance. Women dressed in typical Kerala style with mundu and neriyathu and the hair bun adorned with jasmine garlands perform this dance
It is a wonderful sight to watch women dancing on the rhythm of the song and clapping their hands in unison.
To see the painting visit website www.sheelapadmanabhan.com

Gandhiji painting series- Remembering 26/11

2013-11-05T20:49:00.003-08:00

The 2008 Mumbai attacks (often referred to as November 26 or 26/11) where more than 10 coordinated shooting and bombing attacks across Mumbai India's largest city, by terrorists ,pictures of burning Taj Hotel made a deep impact all over the world .By choosing to attack Mumbai's iconic hotel, the Islamist terrorists have sent a powerful message to India's leaders, foreign investors and tourists as well as the country's new economic elite.

Perhaps the terrorists intended, striking a blow against a symbol of Indian wealth and progress and sending shivers down the spine of some of the richest and most powerful people on the planet

through the tragedy and loss of November 26, 2008, what has emerged are the acts of courage and generosity of lesser known heroes that held the city of Mumbai together on that day. This painting is a tribute to the resilient spirit of Mumbai, The city of dreams and the“ never say die” spirit of the city.

Hope-Acrylic on canvas

Nehru Trophy Boat race 2013

2013-08-09T07:29:00.003-07:00

Comes Karkkidakam, the backwater of Kerala becomes alive to celebrate the exiting sport of snake boat racing. The spirits of rowers are not dampened by the pitter-patter rains or the thunder storms. There are many races in different areas of Kerala, but the most famous is the Nehru trophy boat race held in the punnamada kayal (Punnamada Lake) in Alappuzha usually conducted on the second Saturday of august .The race is celebrated to commemorate the visit of the late Prime Minister Pundit Jawaharlal Nehru in 1952. In this race, majestic boats measuring a length of 30 to 60 meters (over 100 ft) with a raised prow, are quite impressive and can accommodate around 100 rowers, 4 helmsmen and 25 cheer leaders

The snake boat race is the largest team sport in the world. Snake boats or chundan vallams as they are locally known, can carry scores of men. The origin of snake boats goes back to hundreds of years when the king of Chembakassery, ordered that a war ship be built which can carry soldiers as well as a canon so that he gets an upper hand in the war against the king of Kayamkulam .One Mr.Narayanachari designed the chundan vallam which with its speed and agility won the war for the king of Chembakassery.Other boats also take part in the boat races.Most of them have military lineages.

website www.sheelapadmanabhan.com

Bird Painting

2013-07-30T03:31:00.001-07:00

#Egretpainting -water color on paper
www.sheelapadmanabhan.com

best sellers - bird greeting cards

black bird paintings raven paintings crow paintings

sparrow paintings sparrow posters

floral iphone cases

Emotions paintings

2013-07-29T20:30:00.000-07:00

emotions canvas prints

flower paintings

2013-07-25T01:49:00.001-07:00

flowers paintings floral prints

flower posters fengshui iphone cases

Lillies

2013-07-25T01:40:00.002-07:00

flowers paintings flowers paintings lilly paintings flowers art botanical art canvas prints lilies posters

http://myartviews.blogspot.in/2013/07/hrefhttpfineartamerica.html land scape paintings

calm prints blue paintings waterfall paintings i phone case iphone cases

flowers

2013-07-01T02:18:00.001-07:00

<a href="http://fineartamerica.com/art/all/flower/all" style="font: 10pt arial; text-decoration: underline;">flower art</a>

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Tanjore paintings-Indian Traditional Art

2012-10-16T09:42:00.001-07:00

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Tanjore paintings originally belong to Tamilnadu and dates back to 1600 AC or so. The art form flourished under the patronage of Maratha Kings. The art could only be fostered by royal patronage as it wasn't just limited to drawing and painting,but also involved the usage of gem stones and gold sheets. These original 24carat gold embellished paintings catered to palaces and temples in South India and decorated the royal homes. They were once part of the wedding gifts of rich south Indians. The art can be seen adorning the walls and ceilings of Madurai Meenakshi Temple and other big temples in the South. These paintings were gifted to dear ones, in special occasions also. Nowadays #Tanjorepaintings are the ‘in' things in the interiors of the rich and famous as interior designers too wanted it to be a part of home décor.

In times when the art connoisseurs were Rajas and Maharajas, it is told that original precious stones were used to adorn these paintings. It is also believed that if a Tanjore painting of infant Krishna is kept in the room, a new born will resemble him. Likewise, a Radha-Krishna painting will help you to have a love laden married life.

Each painstakingly done works reflects the dedication and commitment of artists. Usually god and goddesses are the main subjects’ .Avoiding any kind of mixtures, the paintings with primary colours and generally made on cloth pasted on to a wooden plank. A special adhesive (Arabian gum and flour) is used in raised levels for jewels, drapery and architectural elements like pillars and temple pavilions. This is then embedded with semi-precious stones and pearls and covered with 24-carat gold leaf. The cost ranges from Rs. 1000 for miniature paintings to lakhs for gigantic ones, based on the size, embellishments, quality of work, and artistic details.

Tanjore paintings are deeply rooted in tradition, hence innovative within certain limits only. This ancient art form flourished during 16th to18th century, when many striking temples were created by the rulers. Hence the deities were portrayed according to the mural art measurements. Nowadays more proportionate figures are made.. Today, just as any other form of art, Tanjore paintings is undergoing changes, and the evolution is seeing finer versions taking shape, and newer colours are also being introduced. In the place of wooden planks, now marine plies are used. Natural colours are replaced by acrylics, or poster colours. Teak wood frames are replaced by synthetic frames. But the procedure and use of gold foils and stones are still the same.
How Tanjore paintings are made-

1. The first step is Board preparation. On a Waterproof wooden board, white cotton cloth is pasted and coating work is done with mixture of lime stone powder and gum so that the meshes of cloth are closed. Then polishing is done for a smoother painting surface.

2. Next outline of the painting is drawn

3. In this step is the fixing of the Stones, in ornaments and other decorative areas.

4. Muck work is done with lime stone powder and Arabic Gum. The base for ornaments and embossed areas are done.

5. Fine designs are made over Base Muck work, where ornaments, are drawn with thick muck compound and will be left to dry completely. 24ct Pure gold foils is pasted over the embossed work and Brush design work. The gold foil is cut in suitable shape and size to suit the paintings and will be pasted with gum.

6. The finished paintings are coloured using either using natural colours,or acrylic paint. Then Framing of the painting is done.

&7.Finished painting....

website: www.sheelapadmanabhan.com
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Ganesh Chaturthi

2012-09-18T23:35:00.001-07:00

Ganesha is the God of knowledge and the remover of obstacles.He is the older son of Lord Shiva. Lord Ganesha is also called Vinayak ( knowledgeable ) or Vighneshwer (god who remove obstacles). He is worshiped, in the beginning of any auspicious performance for blessings and auspiciousness.

He has four hands, elephant's head and a big belly. His vehicle is a tiny mouse. In his hands he carries a rope (to carry devotees to the truth), an axe (to cut devotees' attachments), His fourth hand's palm is always extended to bless people. In this painting it is in abhaya mudra.
Ganesha Chaturthi, the great Ganesha festival, ' is celebrated by Hindus around the world as the birthday of Lord Ganesha.In western India,especially in Maharashtra,the grand festival lasts for 10 days ending on the day of 'Ananta Chaturdashi'On this day,Ganesha is placed in homes and common Ganesha mandals,and worshiped though out these 10 days..on the 11th day the image is taken out in procession,to be immersed in a river or the sea symbolizing a ritual see-off of the Lord in his journey towards his abode in Kailash .It is believed that Sree Ganesh will take away with him all the misfortunes of his worshipers.

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website www.sheelapadmanabhan.com

IT IS RAINING OUTSIDE

2012-08-26T05:38:00.001-07:00

water colour on handmade paper

Chinese fishing net

2012-07-27T21:30:00.003-07:00

CHINESE FISHING NETS (CHEENA VALA).

In Cochin there are fixed land installations of an unusual form of fishing; these are the Chinese fishing nets.Chinese fishing nets locally known as Cheenavala is operated by a team of up to six fisher men. It is beautiful sight to see the fishing nets on the backdrop of setting sun. Their size, their elegant construction and the slow rhythm of their operation is quite hypnotic. It is said that these nets were introduced by the Chinese and hence the name.

Chines fishing net-My water colour painting on paper
Website http://www.sheelapadmanabhan.com/

Holy Ramayana month

2012-07-14T21:50:00.000-07:00

Ramayana Masam in Kerala is observed in the Malayalam month of Karkkidakam (July – August). In this month, the Epic Ramayana is read in traditional Hindu houses and in temples dedicated to Lord Vishnu.

The Karkidakam month is the last month in the Malayalam calendar and is referred as ‘panja masam’ or the month of scarcity. The monsoon is at its peak in this month; and during olden days majority of the people who depended on agriculture will be confined at home due to heavy rain.

To ward off nature’s fury people used to read the Ramayana Throughout this month

After lighting the evening lamp, people sit before nilavilakku (traditional Kerala lamp) and recite the malayalam version of Ramayan, Adhyatma Ramayanam Kilippattu written by Thunchath Ezhuthachan. Reciting begins on the first day of the month and read in such a way that the story is completed by last day of the month ..In 2013, the Ramayana Masam begins on July 17 and ends on August 16.

The story of Lord Rama is both a spellbinding adventure and a work of profound philosophy. It is a beautiful and uplifting tale of romance and high adventure, Depicting the saga of Rama, a great king of ancient India. Rama, the prince of Ayodhya and his beautiful wife Sita was send in exile as a result of his step-mother, Dasharatha’s second wife, Kaikeyi's evil plot, so that her own son Bharata, to become king.

Rama, along with, Sita, and faithful brother Lakshmana, is exiled to the forest for fourteen years, where Sita is kidnapped by the powerful demon Ravana, the ten-headed ruler of Lanka. Along with his brother Lakshmana and a fantastic army of Super natural monkeys Rama set out to find his beloved Sita. They attack Ravana’s army, and after a fierce battle, succeed in killing the demon king and freeing Sita, reuniting her with Rama.

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Theyyam-theatrical arts of Kerala.

2012-07-10T21:33:00.000-07:00

My native place Kannur(Kerala,India) is a seat of north malabar's ancient folk art The Theyyam.This folk art is a mixture of dance, music, mime as well as hero worship.

When the rainy season is over, the Kavu (Temple) and ancestral homes with its adjoining fields will be welcoming the Theyyam Season. The festival begins on the 10th day of the Malayalam month 'Thulaam' and concludes by mid of 'Edavam' (June first week) though there are more than 400 theyyam, the most prominent Theyyams are those of Raktha Chamundi, Kari Chamundi, Muchilottu Bhagavathi, Wayanadu Kulavan, Gulikan and Pottan.

Theyyam is the dramatic presentation of the sagas of heroes of yesteryear s. The stage-practices of Theyyam and its ritualistic observations make it one of the most fascinating theatrical arts of Kerala. The dancer along with the drummers recites the particular ritual song, which describes the myths and legends, of the deity of the shrine or the folk deity to be propitiated. This is accompanied by the playing of folk musical instruments such as Chenda, Veekuchenda, Elathalam and Kuzhal . Props such as swords, shields, bows, arrows and other weapons are also used. Lighted torches are held during the nightly performance to highlight the dramatic effect and to maintain a fiery ambiance.

The head gear is decorated with cloth, flowers and palm leaves. In some Theyyams very long Head gears (50-60 feet) are also used. A bold colored base is painted on the face and intricate designs made on it. The different styles of these designs depend on the Theyyam being performed. The skirts are made of bamboo splices and coconut sheaths painted red and black or from red cloth tied around bamboo sticks.

Muchilottu Bhagavathi,

       My acrylic painting
                                  Website for images: www.sheelapadmanabhan.com

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Theyyam Performance at Ancestral home

Mohiniyattam- Indian classical Dance

2012-07-03T20:57:00.003-07:00

DANCER: Mohiniyattam is a traditional dance form of Kerala.

Acrylic painting on canvas
Website : www.sheelapadmanabhan.com

This is a solo, semi classical form of dance involving delicate footsteps and subtle expressions. The word Mohini means a maiden who steals heart of the onlooker. The dance form depicts love and devotion to god, especially Lord Krishna. The costumes are sober yet attractive which includes white cotton sari with blouse and heavily pleated waist cloth all bordered with exquisite kasavu.The tresses are made in the traditional style made in to a bun in the left side, bedecked with jasmine flowers. In this picture, the dancer is performing Mohiniattam in the dance floor of a temple. She is wearing traditional ornaments like kasumala (kasu – gold coin) an ilakkathali ( choker with scores of small lockets that vibrates on the smallest movement )and Necklace, and thick golden waistband.

My first Guru

2012-06-04T22:26:00.000-07:00

It was rainy season again.After the first rains the replanting of rice plants starts. The small canals in between the fields will be filled with water. There will be so many small fishes inside it .I liked to catch fish with thorthu (a small bath towel) and then let them go to water again...Workers will be busy planting saplings, and they will sing also, to speed up their work.

Achchu was going to field to give tea to workers.I accompanied him silently as I am sure that if mother noticed she won’t allow me to go.The big canal will be filled with water in rainy season and there will be heavy flow in it. So crossing it through the coconut wood bridge during rains was a big no. When we reached, the ladies were singing a song about “makkam”, a beautiful lady, who was the only sister of 7 brothers, and who was murdered along with her son Chathan and daughter Cheeru on the instructions of her sister in laws…I felt bored as I heard the story so many times. So i started catching fish. Suddenly somebody noticed that my grandfather was coming towards the fields. He was on a short visit to see my mother. Whenever he was around, he used to visit fields to oversee works. I become very upset. as for sure, he won’t allow me playing in water, and he will take me back home…

“So, You don’t want him here ..?Asked vayalile Mathi(madhavi, as she was coming from a faraway place called kolathu vayal, she was called like that.) I said” no… He won’t allow me to catch fish.”

“See how he will vanish from here.”Thekkumbadan meenakshi told with a big laugh…I was not sure about what magic they are planning so that grandfather will vanish.

But all they do that was singing again, now in a louder tone…

Eevaka pennungal bhoomeelundo (is such beautiful ladies are there in earth)

Manathunenganum potti veeno,( is she came from the sky-heaven)

Bhoomiyil ninnenganum mulachu vanno,(or is she came from beneath earth)

Khithappoo polathe niramamanappa,(her colour is like that of kithapoo-kewra flower)

Panangula polathe mudiyentappa..(Her hair flows like palm leaf)

Erambala kunki, kunchi kunki, (she is Ms kunki of Erambala)

kuliyum kazhinchu varavayi kunki…(She is on her way from pond after taking a bath)

The last two lines were entirely new ones, so I listened. The song went on like a mother persuading her daughter, Kunki to marry Erambala Koman(my grandfather!)The Mother was praising him like

Kathil kadukkan,pulinaghavum,(he is wearing kadukkan-a stud with precious stones ,And a special gold chain)

arraru kandalum thirunchu nokkum,(no body walk past him without having a second look)

Varam varavangu kunnu pole, (about his monthly earnings-his earnings from field rental is like a mountain))

pattam varavangu kadalu pole,(“ his earnings from lending out land is like an ocean)

Komanu ninneyangu pothichalu,(if Koman agree to marry you)

Neeyalle nattile thampuratti..(You can live like a princess)

By then grandfather was in varambu(the walking path in between fields).As he heard his name in the song, he also began listening the song.

Now came Kunki”s reply

Velichinga polathe kannentamme,(his eyes are like small tender coconuts)

Kumbalanga polathe vayarentamme,(His tummy is like a large pumpkin)

Padavalam polathe kientamme, (His hands are like snake gourds)

Chattukam polathe kalentamme.(His legs are like a spattle-a little spade used to take dosa from thava)

There were few more lines which I couldn’t remember now...Any way at last she turned down the proposal saying that he is not a match for her.

Grandfather became so angry and shouted “will you stop this nonsense?”. Then he dragged me to home.

Reaching home, he scolded my mother. “Why do you allow Pappa to go to the fields? There are other children here .nobody does that. Those ugly fellows will make her bad…, uncultured liars.”He shelled out so many bad words. Mom was clue less about what made him so angry, she told me to wash my feet with permanganate solution, thinking that grandfather didn’t liked me playing in muddy waters..For sure I know that the workers were not ignorant people..On the other hand they were a treasure house of folk wisdom. They taught me so many things, like how to predict rains seeing clouds,how to recognize medicinal plants, how to plant saplings etc etc..They told me so many stories, about so many customs, so many legends, all of which my siblings were unaware of.

Later on mother asked me about what happened in the fields, I told her about the song. Grandmother and mother had a hearty laugh. I was 8 or 9 years at that time, so marriage and lost love were beyond my imagination .Mother told though grandfather had a cousin Kunki, she was much older than him, and marriage between them was impossible. The entire story were only their imagination…And ugly description about his figure might have the reason why he become angry..But next time when I went to fields, I pleaded them to sang the full song...They didn’t. Never did they repeat it. They confessed that it was an instant parody.

The anti climax was that during his next visit, grand father taught me how to draw human figures…He might have thought that otherwise I will portray him with velichinga in place of eyes, padavalanga in place of hands. He also showed me how I can draw in the back side of calendars so that my father won’t notice. (My father was dead against me drawing in my school books… (Art was not a good thing for elite girls at that time!)Thus he became my first Guru.

website for image- www.sheelapadmanabhan.com
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Withum withayum-Rice seeds and Planting

2012-06-03T22:31:00.000-07:00

Come vishu, the first day of Malayalam month of Medam (April to May) Preparations for the new #rice cultivation starts.. On the Vishu day, the spade and plow will be decorated using rice powder and flower garlands, and prayers done. The senior-most member of the family and others enter the rice field with the decorated plow and spade. Small channels (called chal in malayalam) are then made in the field. This is followed by covering the field with cow dung and green manure. This filed is later used to grow rice. This cultivation during the South West Monsoon is known as virippu krishi.

Rice seeds are then measured in to jute sacs and the sacs will be tied with plantain threads. They are then soaked in water over night. Next day, the soaked seeds will be spread over wet jute sacks .they will be covered by wet sacs also. Some weight (big stones) will be put above them. Within two days, they sprout. Seeds are sown by hand to plowed fields. After 30-50 days of growth, the seedlings are transplanted in bunches to flooded fields when monsoon sets in .By then they will reach a certain size say about 1 ½ feet. #Harvesting begins when the grain becomes yellow and the plants start to droop in during September- October months.

                                           Witha- an oil painting on canvas
   Grand father supervising workers as they are measuring rice seeds for sawing in fields.
                           website for image- www.sheelapadmanabhan.com

Ladies after bath

2012-05-04T21:43:00.003-07:00

Ladies after bath

“You should pay extra charges for this” ..Our maid servant Ammalu demanded. She was oiling my sisters long black hair. It was when sister just delivered a baby girl, mini, and I was sitting there to see when she will open her little eyes and look at me…Ammalu continued...”And I will do this free for Pappa (me) when this time come for her, she won’t be having this much of hair any way..”

I cried a lot then. My sister tried her best to pacify me...”See, your features are like Dhevi vellimma.(Father’s elder sister.)you also will have long hair when you are grown up..But I started crying louder, though vellimma had long curly hair,she was a well built, dark lady who was never a favorite with me..I stopped crying after a secret promise of Feradol(a sweet medicine popular that time,meant for ladies after delivery which young girls were not supposed to take)) But there started my lifelong longing for long hair like my sisters. My sisters were having wheatish colour, and long straight hair. I was on the darker side having curly hair…I always felt that I was the black sheep in the family..I started applying all types of hair oils, shampoos etc, hoping that my hair will grow fast..Nothing happened. Mother used to prepare a medicated oil for all, with many herbs,and nobody leaves home without a bottle of that oil. She used to put burned coconut shell powder also in the oil which gave a darker color to hair..But I didn’t trusted in it, applied bottles and bottles of arnica hair oil,neeli bhringhadi,kunthalakanthiayurvedic oil,and almost all the oils which appeared in Vanitha(a ladies magazine)and my effort still continues..

When i started my profession as a painter,i painted all ladies with long hair.This painting is one among them...

Two ladies sitting in the varanda, adjacent to the central courtyard ,wearing traditional Kerala dress-mundu and veshti.

In olden times,It was a practice to smoke the long hair of Kerala women after the bath. Red hot-coal will be taken in a small brass vessel with a long handle and medicinal herbs will be added to it. Resulting smoke imparts a nice smell to the hair and freed it from infections.

Oil on canvas

Jahangir art gallery show Mumbai

2012-05-02T22:31:00.001-07:00

AMINA (oil painting on canvas ) When I thought of drawing Muslim lady , the first thing came into my mind was Amina ,our milkman’s daughter . She was 3 to 4 years older than me and had broad eyes and curly hair. Muslim woman of North Malabar used to wear “ Chittu” in the ear ( small golden rings with Alukku all over) .Now one can see this practice only amongst old ladies of North Malabar)this lady is wearing Elassu a small box type golden locket , which can either be on a thread or a golden chain. They also used to wear thick gold bangles which is hollow inside, filled by small balls, which imparts a sound when the hands are moved, and hence called Tharivala.Their dress is katchi, a long full-sleeved blouse with lace piping,Mundu(Dhothi) and Thattam to cover the hair.

Thrissur Pooram

2012-05-01T05:52:00.004-07:00

                                                       Pooram- Acrylic painting
   Website for image..    www.sheelapadmanabhan.com
   > Gallery, >Acrylic paintings
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Pooram is.a annual temple festival held in Kerala after the summer harvest. Most pooram festivals have ornately decorated elephants being paraded in the procession taken out of the temple premises.

The main features of the pooram (festival) are these decorated elephants with their nettipattam . (decorative golden headdress), beautifuliy crafted kolam, decorative bells ,ornaments etc. Add to this is the panchavadyam, the rhythmic beating of the drum, and what would be a cacophony otherwise is turned into an organized but spontaneous symphony.

Today is Thrissur pooram.. The pooram of all Poorams’. It is one of the Biggest temple festivals in Kerala. It has been celebrated every year in the month of April (Malayalam month medam) at Vadakkumnathan temple in the centre of Trichur city. It is believed that every year gods and goddesses of neighboring temples will meet here for the celebration. The two dewaswams – Thiruvampadi and Paramekkavu are the major temples to make the festival a remarkable oneMore than 50 elephants decorated with nettipattam (decorative golden headdress), Kolam, decorative bells, ornaments and the umbrellas, venchamaram, and alavattam will enter the temple through the western gate and come out through the southern gate and array themselves, face to face. The two groups in the presence of melam, exchange colourful and crafted umbrellas competitively at the top of the elephants – called Kudamattom

School days

2012-04-29T01:38:00.000-07:00

School girls

The government high school was stones throw away from my house. The big banyan tree and Raman’s tea shop next to the school are the landmarks of Kalliassery even this day –Two girls walking past the shop to the school

Another memory of school days is connected with the old vendor, Kannan moossor who sold goose berries, cumin toffee, and roasted Channa.He was a constant presence by the school gate, clad in a patch worked very old coat, and dhothi…me and my brother made a song about him to sing in place of ringa ringa rosses while playing..It was like,

Kandam bechoru coattanee,(stitched with patches all over)

Kannan moossore coattane,(it is Kannan moossore’s coat)

Pattaru thunnia coattanee,(stitched by a pattar)

Pande kittiya coattanee,(He got it long ago)

Nattilu muzhuvan pattanee(All people knew about it)

Making Avial

2012-04-26T20:50:00.000-07:00

KITCHEN SCENE (OIL ON CANVAS 60 X 90).This is a picture of traditional Kerala kitchen.As a newly wed ,I spent some time in my in law's ancestral home . My husband’s aunt was in charge of the kitchen there. She used to prepare food in traditional choola though there was a gas stove.She used to keep salt in a horlics bottle and dried chillies in a Amul tin on the platform. As the bulb above the choola was always blackened due to the constant smoke ,she used to light a small lantern. A painting on this nostalgic scene.
In this picture Mother is cutting yellow cucumber for making ‘Avial ‘a traditional curry.Water with some turmeric powder and coconut oil is kept boiling in a stone vessel called Kallumeri in which she will put the chopped vegetables to make Avial.Rice is being cooked in the second choola.Milk is boiled to prepare curd in an earthen-pot.The manual stone grinder,in which coconut and masala are ground to paste is also can be seen.You can also see Narayani the washer woman is washing clothes out side kitchen.There were no washing machines-clothes were dipped in soap water,pummelled on the stone slab and rinsed .

2012-04-23T00:05:00.001-07:00

The amaranthus seller

2012-04-23T00:01:00.001-07:00

VEGETABLE VENDOR (Oil on canvas ).

Our mornings were associated with long calls of a vegetable vendor, selling amaranthus leaves locally known as “cheera”. She like many other vendors was a Tamil lady . She used to come early in the morning, bare footed, neatly dressed in a silk sari, with jasmine flowers tucked into her long pleated hair. Rather than the twinkle of her nose ring, the sadness in her eyes still haunts me.

oil paintings