তর্পণ (Torpon)

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.