Namaskaaramu - in Kuchupidi - painting by Usha Shantharam

Namaskaaramu - in Kuchupidi

acrylic painting on gallery-wrap canvas

size: 30x24 inches

LAYA series of classical dancers - paintings

Exhibited at Chitra Kala Parishath Art Gallery - Bengaluru.

Visit Fine Art America to purchase a print of this painting.

Dance of Mahishaasura Mardini - in Kuchupidi - painting by Usha Shantaram

Dance of Mahishaasura Mardini - in Kuchupidi

size: 36x36 inches

Acrylic painting on stretched canvas

on display at Chitra Kala Parishath Art Gallery

Dance of Mahishaasura Mardini - This painting is special to me for two reasons. 

1. Mahishaasura Mardini is an incarnation of Goddess Durga who had slayed the Demon Mahishaasura to save the people from his cruel ways. We celebrate this win of the Goddess - good over the evil - during the Navrathri festival every year for 10 days.  

This painting happened to get displayed at Chitra Kala Parishath Art Gallery on the first day of Navrathri Festival. 

2.  Another reason for this painting being special to me -   Even at the under- painting level during the making of this painting, I got a call from London BBC World News Hangout requesting me to take part in a live online Hangout on BBC, to discuss the topic 'What makes Art Iconic'.  

It was a wonderful experience to be discussing - 'What makes art iconic' with four other illustrious artists from around the world, with the painting Mahishaasura Mardini displayed at the background.   This  program was hosted by none other than Mr.Will Gompertz - BBC Arts Editor, and Mr. Benjamin Zand - producer/BJ at BBC World. 

I was extremely happy when Mr.Benjamin Zand referred to my painting as - 'wonderful piece of art' during the show. ( at 14.30 min) 

 I will remember this day forever. 

You can watch the BBC World News Hangout on YouTube Here. 

Shringaar Ras - Odissi painting.

I have always loved the grace and style of Odissi dancers.  Typical dress code being the Mogra flower crown and the waist band.

Smooth movements along with the 'Bhava' (facial expressions) make this dance style a favorite of mine. Odissi dancing by this beautiful couple during the 'Kahajurao Festival of Dance' was a pleasure to watch.

Shringaar Ras

acrylic painting on gallery-wrap canvas

size: 30x24 inches

LAYA series of paintings

Displayed at the 'LAYA' group art show at Chitra Kala Parishath Oct 2013.

Visit Fine Art America to purchase a print of this painting.

Krishna Nee Begane Ba Ro - LAYA series of classical dancers painting

The 'Bhava' (expression on face) of the male dancer reveals his love and admiration for Lord Krishna.  I was reminded of the song 'Krishna Nee Begane Ba Ro, which became the natural title of this painting.

Painting a male dancer was interesting. A wide neck, broad shoulders and slim hips - all were opposites to painting of a female person - and yet dancing with such dignified ease and grace caught my attention as I watched this dancer perform at the 'Khajuraho Festival of Dance'.

Krishna Nee Begane Ba Ro

acrylic painting on gallery-wrap canvas

ready to hang, framing optional

Size: 24x36 inches

This is one of the seven paintings I had displayed at the 'LAYA' - Rhythms of Nature and Dance - Group Art Show held at Chitra Kala Parishad from 4th to 10th Oct 2013.

Visit Fine Art America to purchase a print of this painting.

Inauguration of 'LAYA' group art show.

It was a lovely evening on the 4th Oct 2013, with 200+ guests gracing the inauguration of our group show called 'LAYA' - Rhythms of Nature and Dance.

The five faced Lamp was lighted by Dr. B L Shankar- President Chitra Kala Parishath, Sri DK Chowta - general secretary Chitra Kala Parishath, Eminent artist Sri Prahalad, Sri Kiran Subraminiam- classical dancer/artistic director of Rasika Arts Foundation and Srimathi Usha P Rai - Kannada writer/artist - respectively.

This was followed by welcoming of the guests and the introduction of the artists by Usha Shantharam (myself) . Our illustrious guests were introduced and honored by Shyamala Ramanand, Asha Sudhakar Shenoy, Usha P Rai and Kavitha Prasanna. All of us are the artists of LAYA - group art show.

The chief guests spoke and encouraged us artists to keep up the good work, and to present more shows. Then they did the round up of all our paintings and had many good words of praise for our works.

This was followed by high Tea and many wonderful appreciation from our guests and a few sales too.

Here are some photos of the inauguration ceremony.

Artists of 'LAYA' group art show

left to right

Usha Rai, Kavitha Prasanna, Usha Shantharam (myself), Asha Sudhakar Shenoy and Shyamala Ramanand.