The Making of “Saga of Indian Stone Sculptures”
Being an artist who travels extensively, a trip to Mahabalipuram filled my mind full of sculptures and their vibrant frozen emotions carved and sculpted on the granite to fine luster tracked by the Shilpa Shastra. I have visited several temples and monuments all over India and these images and their glories are ever carved in my mind plane like carvings on the granite.
One day in a discussion with Dr.MeenaMuthiah,she exchanged her ideas to have a memorable work that should be adorned in the foyer of ChettinadVidyashram, Since then several wings of imagination sprouted in my mind, a lot of themes, a lot of ideas presented orally and some on paper to her perusal.
I spent nearly the whole month in the Studio of at Chettinad House completing this massive piece of artwork ‘Saga of Indian Stone Sculpture’.
The work took 22 days and nights with hardly 4 hours of rest in between. My wife Beena used to feed me with her hands as my hands were smeared with paint and my two sons stood with me till it was completed. I am eternally grateful to them.
When I commenced this work, I was clueless about where to start while flipping the draft sketches but slowly I began to experience the blessings of Lord Vinayaka whose trunk was my first stroke until I created His divine form which can be seen on the top towards the center. What followed was a sheer miracle with a flurry of strokes flowing in to conquer the canvas! This work was done for Dr.Meena Muthiah, Kumara Rani of Chettinad who was and is a dear friend of stalwarts in the field like the legendary MF Hussain and Jacqueline Roque, Picasso’s wife.
The work was greatly appreciated by Meena Aunty who is thoroughly well informed about world art and a perfectionist. Her appreciation has been by far the greatest award I have received for my work. The work required immense research and I spent 9 months studying the journey of Indian stone sculptures from Kanyakumari to Kashmir. I have depicted the transition of artistic style through historical eras by using a special technique of breaking the stone frame and laying a layer to symbolically represent the breakthroughs in art across time.
The painting exhibits an illusion where the passage in the painting moves along with the viewer as they move past it. .
Kindly do write to me about what you felt about this work after viewing it.-artistsasikrishna@gmail.com
Initial Sketches and Inspiration: This image shows my initial sketches and drafts, which were the early stages of conceptualizing this grand artwork. These sketches reveal the meticulous planning and brainstorming that went into the creation process, embodying my vision and dedication.
Early Strokes and Divine Guidance: Here you see the first strokes of paint, where Lord Vinayaka’s form begins to take shape. This phase was a divine intervention for me, as creativity flowed effortlessly, guided by the blessings of the deity.
Layering the Historical Eras: This image illustrates my technique of breaking the stone frame and layering. This method symbolizes the historical transitions in Indian stone sculpture, highlighting how artistic styles have evolved over the centuries from Kanyakumari to Kashmir.
Final Touches and Details: The final stages of the painting, where intricate details and finishing touches are applied. This phase demonstrates my attention to detail and commitment to capturing the essence of Indian stone sculptures in this masterpiece.