Tung

I had always been looking forward to trekking all my life. It seemed like an elusive adventure that kept me waiting for a long time. Few days back I finally decided to make a call to a friend pretty much expecting the reply in the negative given her tight schedule. But, what a surprise!!!...She said YES without a second's wait.

Just as mine this was to  be her first trek too. We were excited because this became an adventure even before it started given the fact that every moment would throw in a surprise it being our first experience. After a short train journey we reached our meeting spot. And any wonder that we were the first ones to reach infact, even before our bus. Now that definitely proved we were the first timers =) Soon the bus arrived and so did the fellow trekkers. It was an eclectic mix from teenagers to middle-agers(to my utter surprise!), from novices to seasoned veterans. The journey finally started. The ride en route to our destination was scenic. We moved around the winding paths of the mountains. We had mountains and valleys for our neighbours who faithfully kept us good company for the most part. The calm presence of mountains was in complete contrast to the excitement that me and my friend were experiencing. From a certain point in our journey we could see a  very large mass of white clouds seated comfortably in the valley and daring to touch the peaks of its neighbouring mountains. It almost looked like they were in some serious conference to decide the next stop to shower themselves upon us mortals. I just hoped that they had my city on their inti nary. They would be welcome with open arms!! =)

The route was surrounded with valleys and lush landscape. The season's first few showers had already revived the greens and given the soul to the flora. The mountain sides too were turned to various hues of green and the dying yellow was on its way out. After a short stopover we reached Tung. This was the sentinel fort to Lohagad and stood just beyond Pavna dam surrounded on three sides by water. It was used as a watch tower to warn the rulers of the imminent invasions. After a short brief, our trek to the top started. I had chosen this trek cause it promised to be a 'soft' one. Being scared of heights, I did make it a point to get certain assurances from the group to make sure that I was not chewing more than I could digest. I have a history of going weak in the knees(literally) standing at a height and many a times I have had to be brought down with the help of  strong arms almost dragging me. How embarrassing!!! But as the trek started I realised this was exactly what I had 'not' wished for. Though the height was a given and naturally so, a height phobic in me did not expect it to be so narrowly winding at many places. Had I attempted anything like this a few years back, I would have freeze midway or fallen off the height after a dizzying spell. Phobias are best experienced than explained.

 As the ascend began I decided to concentrate on the path rather than look sideways now that I had already bargained my life for a measly sum. Even a week back standing on slope of the Solang valley for a para-glide take-off had made me shiver. I couldn't believe why I had to be so harsh on myself. After a few steep climbs, I finally decided to face the fear. I turned my gaze from my path to the slope running below, the fellow trekkers following my path, and finally to the 180 degree view of the mother earth who's lap I did not wish to 'slip' down to. My eyes loved what it saw but I could not believe that I stood there fearless. To make sure this was no mind trick, or a stunned mind at its frozen best, I continued soaking in the scene. The height did not make me tremble nor dizzy for the first time in my life. To my utter amazement, I could finally face my fear. I was FREE!!! Finally =). Oblivious to my inner jubilation, the trekkers behind me were fast catching up. I decided to move on.

The rest of the trek was arduous for the most first timers and they shared my experience. Me and my friend were not alone in our struggle to make it to the top. Though she was more deft at getting to the top while, as it turned out later, I was better at the descend. She had to face her phobia on our way back =) Despite the physical strain and the occasional visits by scorching sun we continued with our ascend. We made through the first leg of journey and hit a flat level. I was haggard by the time I got there only in a matter of an hour and decided to stay put. The peak was just a short distance away but I thought I could take the climb no more. After a decent rest, with my friend and some other teen aged trekkers(who shared my sentiments) egging me on,  I decided to reach the summit. After the final climb, the high of making it to the top ,for a phobic like me, was like nothing else. I made it!! =) The 360 degree view of the Pavna lake and the surrounding mountain forts was beautiful. It was worth every bit making it to the top. And I was so close to missing it. It was time to unwind with the breeze crashing against the ear-drums.and it's hardly a chaos but more a company in the silence of the peak. A light banter with the fellow trekkers is inevitable and  interesting.  The unobstructed cool breeze and a light lunch replenished me for the walk down. After an hour's stay we started our journey back. The descent is usually on a fast-track thanks to the gravity! It is the best time to truly soak in the beauty all around in its details be it the flora, fauna and all the green and red creepy crawlies that constantly crossed my path asserting their sense of  belonging.  Climbing down is the perfect reward for making it to the top.

Besides the natural beauty around what also inspired me was an amazingly youthful 66 year old couple. They were simply awe-inspiring to me. I salute their will to test themselves and make it to the top and back at their age. They gave me something precious to look forward to in a distant future. Were they old? I don't think so. Not in the spirit. As I overcame my phobia, they overcame their age with their spirit as it happened to be their first trek too. Its well said, Its all in the mind!!

The Butterfly Effect

Tossing and turning in my bed, it was time to wake up to the buzz of the day. The empty mind from a restful sleep had started buzzing with thoughts already. Mostly old from the previous night or so. The image appeared, an odd one, standing out from the rest which caught my attention. It had to be looked at, a little deeper, before it disappeared.

I saw the image of a serpent slithering out of its skin. The struggle continued for a while before it slid out with a brand new shiny coat, more radiant, more disco-shiny. I was wondering what made me see something like this, out of the blues. I was compelled to bring my attention to it than to simply brush it off as just another silly vision. As a few seconds passed by, I was reminded of all the times when I had felt let down. The impact was undeniable. After the initial drama of shock, hurt and reaction, I had invariably paid them my final tribute with moments of mourning. I wondered the link between such a reminder, thrust from the depths of my subconscious, to the vision ? Was it my story? Or is this OUR story?

Its every man's struggle to slip out of the done-and-dead and move to the brand new. The struggle indeed makes it worth the effort in the end. Doesn't nature pay handsomely? A shiny coat or the wings of a butterfly to flutter through the breeze. Wonder of the wonders happens when an earth-bound worm takes to the skies. Wonder if any one of us would want to complain then? And to all the dream catchers, yea, the odd dreams can mean something after all =).

Gosaiji

I finally managed to complete this painting after a long 'waiting'. I was done with most part leaving the details to be completed. Eyes went off well and then the lull set in for the accessories. It looked done, though, for the most part except that it wasn't. The constant questioning of the viewers about its completion didn't help either. Well, like I said 'waiting' is difficult to explain =).

Soon enough, with the grace of the divine, and I thank It profusely for that I got the urge to finish the rest of it. I donned my painting suit and by the end of a few hours I finally managed to put a fulls stop to the painting. It was finally DONE =).

This painting is for my sister. She clicked the picture of Gosaiji-the son of Mahaprabhuji, in one the beautiful Krishna temples in Mathura, popularly known as 'Haveli' by vaishnavs. Mahaprabhuji is the founder of the vaishnav sect who took the teaching to the masses through the length and breath of the country during the time of  Lord Krishna. To my sister's good fortune she was allowed to click the picture within the premises of the temple since this was a framed print. The 'idols' are beyond the range of the camera lens in most reputed temples in India.  The simplicity and vivacity of the colours inspired me to do it for her. In that, she was lucky that she had the sense to inspire me with the right picture =)

The miniature style was the first time I had attempted and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Abstract is not my style, but portraying those beautiful long eyes were an absolute pleasure. I had noticed similar eyes on  mukhiyaji's(head priest of the temple) wife -long and sharp, almost fish like, so in all possibility it  may be only a beautiful exaggeration of the real a few centuries back. Fortunately, the good genes have survived!! =)

It was a pleasure putting it up. Hope you'll have enjoyed watching it as much as I enjoyed making it =)

The Valley

I have just returned from a short but fulfilling trip to Solang valley aptly located in the beautiful terrain of Himachal Pradesh. Just a drive of a few kilometers ahead of the hustle and bustle of the 'ever-more-so-commercial' Manali and you find yourself in the midst of the beauty that relaxes the tense muscles and joints of the body and gently jolts the mind from the stupor of travelling for hours although the way to the valley does keep the senses engaged. And boy, is it worth it!!

The way to the valley winds along the graceful path of the river keeping you a constant company and promising you the river side to rest your tired feet in on having reached the valley. As one moves closer to the valley, the snow capped mountain peaks gently lift their heads wondering who their next guests would be this season. And then starts the game of hide and seek. Making their presence felt by peeping out every once in a while seemed to make the distance longer although only more enchanting =)

When we reached, we were welcomed by the starry night, the sound of the gushing river flowing nearby, the silence of the neighbourhood invisible in the pitch darkness, the chill of the night,  the bonfire of the neighbouring tents, the lights of the accommodation. The dark of the freezing night kept us guessing about the scene which was to be unveiled only with the first ray of the morning sun =). As I stepped into the balcony the next morning, I stared at the majestic mountains standing right in front of me. They seemed bigger and better than they would have looked on any 70mm screen. What a view!!! I thanked my stars to have found the right place to stay to make such a wonderful surprise possible. The mountains were splashed with God's favourite shades of greens interspersed with the browns here and there. The icing on the cake was, of course, the snow which proudly occupied the topmost place as it always did. Like the crown of diamonds and pearls it shone in the light reflecting back its beauty which was overflowing in abundance.

The weather has its many moods. Sometimes hot, sometimes cold, sometimes infuriated and sometimes calm like a Buddha.  Does it sound familiar? =) Well, aren't we part of nature =) We are very much related and not an island unto ourselves. Its many moods had their own beauty. I was fascinated. Sometimes raining with all its loud announcements and soaking you with its love. Sometimes calm, almost indifferent to your presence. At times sunny and compassionate, like its almost coaxing you to get out and run in its lap. At other times, a bit mad, windy, crazy, warning you to stay away. Almost telling you 'I WARNED YOU'.

Me and my cup of chai almost empathised with all its changing colours and remained a witness to 'Your Majesty'. I soaked it all in. Back in the city and away from nature, the memories of sight, touch and smell flood me and take me back to the paradise when it seems to be missed.

The mountains changed their attire everyday. Sometimes, their real self, uninhibited, sometimes accessorised with mist and the clouds, almost hiding away. The picture is only one of its moment, Caught and captured!! But the beauty is in the dynamic. Unfortunately, it cannot convey the sound of the silence, the chirping of the birds, the grazing of the horses, the sound of the passing breeze, the drifting clouds, the whispers from the nearby tents, the locals going about their jobs( minus the frantic rush), the smells of the nature, the cold of the river, the constant greetings from the river, the starry nights. Fortunately, it will inspire you to experience it all by yourself =)

The Waiting...

Until recently I was working on a painting for my sister. Although I managed to complete the painting quite some time back, adding the final touches took much longer than expected. There are two reasons for that. Firstly, The intricate work tends to slow down the pace as apposed to the wide spaces of a fresh canvas. Secondly, its very important to have the right frame of mind to work on the painting. Try picking up the brush when your whole being resists and you will know why it ever resisted in the first place!! =).  Anyone who's ever painted will be able to relate to that.

This is the thing about painting in my experience. An artist only ever truly paints when he gives in to an irresistible urge to paint defying everything else at that point. Appointments, phone calls, hunger pangs, door bells don't matter then. Its THAT force that creates the painting and not the artist per se. Its that madness that passes the life to the images. Its that passion alone that gives the soul to the painting.

However, these moments are rare and beautiful. They are absolutely priceless to me. People say that sometimes I take too long waiting for the right moment to start work on paintings. But its difficult to explain 'why'. Its a matter of experience and not words. One is blessed to wait! what else can i say....