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Ink (markers) on canvas
Peacock: A Window into the Folk-Life of India
I grew up in the western province of India called Gujarat surrounded by the richness of folk-life. Folk-stories and folk-songs of Gujarat nurtured my childhood with colorful images of peacocks. Peacock is intricately associated with Indian culture, traditions and mythology. One of my favorite folk-stories is that of a man who, out of jealousy, kills his wife’s dear friend peacock; leaving his wife heart-broken. Upon realizing his mistake, the husband assures his wife that her peacock friend will be depicted in all celebrations and decorations for ages to come. Peacocks in Indian art is a man’s promise to his wife seen throughout the fabric of Indian culture. My art exemplifies my unique view and appreciation of the peacock, which symbolizes wealth, beauty and art in Indian culture since the beginning of time.
“Peacock: A Window into the Folk-Life of India” is based on my childhood memories and interpretation of colorful things from folk-life of Gujarat.
Saree, a beautiful attire worn by women across India, is a six-yard fabric with beautiful colors and designs. “Palav”, with its beautiful motifs and elaborate designs, is the most decorative part of a saree. I cherish fond memories of my mother looking for the perfect “palav” as she would shop for sarees. In this painting, one could see the images of “palav” of a saree with beautiful peacock motifs framed by intricate geometrical borders.
“Toran” are fabric wall-hangings that adorn windows and doors of homes in Gujarat. They have designs, borders and motifs enhanced by intricate embroidery, colorful beads and small pieces of mirror. “Toran” are hung horizontally or vertically along the edge of windows and doors. In my painting, one could see patterns that are influenced by “Toran” from homes in Gujarat.
“Todlo” is a decorative pillar that commonly serves as the gate to a home in rural Gujarat. It is made of wood or stone with intricate designs painted or carved on it. In addition to being an artistic symbol of hospitality, “todlo” serves as a placement for a lantern or bird-feeder. Even now I catch myself humming a beautiful Gujarati folk-song that describes a peacock singing on a “todlo”! This painting shows the images of peacocks singing on the “todlo” as engraved on the canvas of my childhood memories.
“Peacock: A Window into the Folk-Life of India” is my humble attempt to display the rich harmony of peacocks, nature, imagination, art, culture, traditions from my childhood memories of folk-life of Gujarat, India.
Sheni Meghani
