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

 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.

The Namesake

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.

गच्छति (gacchati) - to go to/toward

“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

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.

The Moon Priestess

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

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

দ্বার (Dwaar)

Dwaar or Doorway is another adaption of "Temptation"

স্মৃতি (Smriti): Melancholy Memories

চাঁদনী কল্লোলিনী: Chaadni Kollolini

Pastel on panel - Lord knows who has the original? Found a digital copy of my college days work...

Paintings to bring smile to a Child's face

Hello Friends and Art Lovers,

Recently, I discovered my art can do a little bit more than become a decorative piece at someone's collection or means of expression for me. I joined the Smile train (World's Leading Cleft Surgery Charity for Children) and they have graciously accepted my humble collection of paintings for sale/auction - proceeds will go to the children who deserve to smile.

I wish, I could appeal to Mr. Gates for some help but I am a limited man with little means! So I turn to my friends and MNCs with CSR programs - MAYBE YOU CAN HELP?

My paintings are not the reason but the excuse to help the deserving. Those of you who know me, by now know I always participate in small ways to help so please drop me a line and I'll put you in touch with Smile Train directly (that way you know I'm not stealing your gift to the children). We are what we make ourselves to be by our actions...or so I believe!

উপত্যাকা (Upottaka): Valley

Panel painting - changes color and shows a different angle with change of light.

বিপরীত (Biporit): Opposite

Life is an intimate mix of opposites and complementary colors. This is an oil, acrylic and holi pigment paints on unprimed wood.

ত্রিলয় (Triloy): TrioApocalypse

Indian mythologies talks about Apocalypse brought by Bramha, Vishnu and Maheshwar - all that was pure from origin and all that of sin mix together, to from the whole element of God/Bhomho.

পাতার জীবন (Patar Jibon): Life of a Leaf

A journey from Spring to Fall.

কলিকা (Kolika)

The word কলিকা (Kolika) means a ‘bud’ i.e. the promise of the flower to come. I was born in Kolkata(Calcutta). This picture brings in the symbols of myths of Manasha (the female serpent deity), embracing the culture of Tagore, the church cathedral backyard near which I loose myself often to the bitter sorrow melancholy separation pang of my childhood and the icon of the city… the old Howrah bridge. This is 24” x 36” mixed media painting involving - gouache, acrylic, holi colors, oil, threads, gauze and glass.

Unfortunately, a Soho gallery chipped off a corner of the glass in 2011 so this piece doesn’t travel to exhibitions anymore.

রোমন্থন প্রতিবিম্ব (Romonthon Protibimbo): Reflection

At one point, man is beyond suffering - tested by surrounding and fate - at that moment, one awaits the inevitable truth reflecting upon the Life past.

This is dedicated to the forgotten holocaust of India - a year long famine artificially created by World War Hero, Winston Leonard Spencer-Churchill, killing more than THREE MILLIONS in 1943. 

সুর্য সলিল (Shurjo Sholil): Sun Under Water

Abstract paintings can be best seen when one squints their eyes...
~ To my sweet lil sis, for all the fights and giggles (who likes to call this painting "Winter Sun")
Oil and Acrylic paint on Wood - 1' x 2'

আরোহী (Arohi): One who Climbs

Ancient Egyptians believed Life was like the stages of a river. One who rides the wave of time...

Bridge

There is always a bridge...Light to Dark, Past to Future and Love to Hate.

Chalice