Revati: An Audience of One

Atma namaste!

Getting back to making art required me to find a story this time. And Revati stepped in like she was waiting for the right moment.

Here is a little about the artwork.

Watercolour on paper | 365 x 515 mm

This artwork is inspired by Indian traditional artforms like madhubani and kalamkari. You can see my signature patterns all over it—the way her consciousness expands and contracts through the flowing dots, the peacock feathers lightly making their presence known, and the vertical strokes I love to experience, which I like to think describe travelling through space and time.

The colours are cool and romantic, signalling Revati's home in the Kshirasagar where she rules the depths as Nagalakshmi, and her intimate relationship with her divine counterpart, Sheshnaag. And then there is the subtle warmth that shines through, holding the memory of Satyayug, the birth yug of Revati.

To the left, Nagalakshmi rests, completely aware of herself, her powers, her place. To the right, Revati from Satyayug holds her lamp—fully present, fully awake to what she's choosing. That diya isn't hers to carry by strength; it's wisdom locked away for the natural turning of yugs, and she keeps it alive, even if locked.

And now coming to the centre, at the base of the painting. This is where both these versions come together as the eternal golden lotus. And lastly, Now look up to her hairpin. Notice anything? This is the same hala that Balarama used to lock her wisdom. She wears it with love and pride. Her decision was easy for her, there was never any question, and so it easily becomes a part of her. No matter how short she had to become, she still stands as tall as she ever was.

Hope you are enjoying ANVANI Moments.

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Love,

Arundhati