My India, Part II: Beyond the Veil

Beyond the Veil

14 × 17 inches

The 2nd piece in my ongoing art series, “My India”!

To me, India is a place where culture, religion, art, and tradition meet in a profound way. Drawing these portraits is more than technical exercise to me; it is a way for me to connect deeply with my roots.

The Spark: I want to give special thanks to photographer Vignesh (Instagram: vignesh_Snaper). I did not take the original reference myself. I sough his permission to recreate this stunning shot. When I first came across the reference photo, the image resonated with me on so many levels. It allowed me to push the boundaries of my graphite work to capture the intensity you see here.

The Story: The portrait depicts a participant in the “Mayanakollai",” a festival celebrated in my home state of Tamil Nadu. The festival is deeply symbolic, commemorating the story of Goddess Parvati in her incarnation as Angala Parameswari Amman.

In this story, Goddess Parvati uses her wit and power to save her husband, Lord Shiva, from peril. Because of this, the festival is a vibrant celebration of the power of women. Art is integral to these rituals as peopl enact and perform, turning themselves into living icons.

The Subject: The intensity of Shiva

The person in this portrait, I believe is a member of the transgender community. In Tamil Nadu, transgender individuals do play significant role in the celebration of certain festivals and rituals.

Here, the subject is adorned with intense makeup of Lord Shiva, which includes the symbolic 3rd eye.

By choosing this reference, I wanted to highlight a beautiful moment of religious participation from a community who are often marginalized in society.

The “Mask”! It reflect the human “masks” we all wear to navigate the world.

Using graphite allowed me to study the contrast between the bold makeup and the real person beneath it.

Through this series, I hope to show that “My India” is a place where divine and the human are constantly intertwined.

I would love to hear thoughts on what this art made you feel!

Keeper of Wisdom

14 × 17 inches

Pencil on Paper

This hyperrealistic pencil drawing (completed in 2025) captures the serene presence of a Hindu Sadhu; one believed to have renounced worldly pleasures in pursuit of spiritual liberation (or moksha as we say in Bharath). Their simple attire, dhotis, sacred ash powders, and head coverings are an art form in themselves, reflecting India’s timeless beauty and spirituality.

This artwork to me, reminds me of my roots. A reminder of the wisdom that continues to guide us Indians over generations. Hindu Sadhus often gather during the Kumbh Mela, which occur every 4 years. The most recent one being the 2025 Maha Kumbh Mela, during which many millions of Hindu pilgrims bathe in Triveni Sangam, the place where Ganga, Yamuna and Saraswati river meets, for purification from sins.

For those who may not be Indias, I hope this art evoke a sense of connection to your roots.

Creating this artwork has been a journey filled with inspiration and reverence. Each stroke of the pencil was guided by the intent to capture not just the form but the essence of wisdom and spirituality. Sometimes, it’s the details that breathe life into art, the wrinkles etched by time, the calm gaze, or the quiet power of simplicity.

Graphite narrative digitally awakened using!

A lot can change in few months.

When I first finished the drawing, it felt complete. Nut as I have recently embraced digital tools, I have found a way to give a bit more dimension to the art that lives on my paper. I am certainly not calling this new version an “Art”, which absolutely is the many hours of graphite and sweat. But these tools allowed me to interpret the grayscale into color and movement, transforming a static narrative into a living experience.

Seeing “The Keeper of Wisdom” breathe and look back at me brings a perspective I couldn’t have imagines when I picked my pencils.

Am not sure whether traditional art is being replaced by AI as many fear; maybe the same art but a new experience?