The Gujari Mahal was built by Raja Man Singh for his wife and queen, Mrignayani. Unlike most of the structures in the royal complex that are on the top of the hill, this rectangular mahal is perched at the foothills of the hill at the northern-end of the fort next to the Alamgir Gate.
Presently, this palace serves as an open-air archaeological museum situated at the base of the cliff, below the other regal complexes perched above.
At the Gujari Mahal Archaeological Museum, you will find beautiful sculptures originating from the areas surrounding Gwalior.
It was a pleasure to be among these sculptures, many of which were of well-known cultural symbols, episodes, mythological characters, and deities. Nonetheless, it felt like i were meeting them anew.
Was it the setting of magnificent creations in stone within the fortress, or was it my mind that was more porus at the moment?
I’m not sure…
It felt at the moment, the sculptures kept luring me in. Tempting me to be with them. Making me pause.
They were staring at me just as I was staring back.
They gazed at me from their immovable positions in the various galleries, they drew me in.
I went to this museum twice during my stay in Gwalior and it was such a delight both times!
Inspired by these sculptures, I have created some artworks, and they are presented here on this page complemented by a few lines.
Many of these artworks are centered around the sculptures of Indian deities. The intention here, is to capture an aspect of these deities’ essence by blending, juxtaposing, and incorporating them into digital imagery that conveys their stories, attributes, and powers with which they are commonly associated.
The Daughter of the Mountains.
Wife of the trident-bearer,
Mother of the elephant-headed one.
Parvat ki. Parvati.
*
Uma, Mahadevi, Gauri, Girija, Shakti.
Variously, she is called.
Spirit of the feminine, fertility, and strength.
In her attributes, her being is mirrored.
*
From mountains, she emerged,
Humans sculpted her of the quarried stone.
Transcending myths and mediums we see her,
Holding her elegant pose.
Artwork Detail:
Daughter of the Mountains, 2024
Stone, pictures, colors...come together into pixels...this artwork brings together a 13th century sculpture and himalayan mountains from the present century. It brings the daughter home!
Digital Art | 3169 pixels X 4608 pixels | 96 dpi | Bit depth 24
*
Upon the altar of devotion,
burns the fire that purifies.
A deity, fierce and forgiving,
in his gaze wisdom lies.
*
Rudra's tempest, a Rishi's calm,
both within him reside.
On his forehead the flame dances,
and in his hand the nectar of immortality abides.
*
Adorning the sacred thread across his chest,
his determined face, framed by a beard of a sage.
*
In one hand, a torch,
and in the other a lance held high.
The downward hand, holds a pot of life,
its contents never dry.
*
Agni,
one of the five elements of nature.
Appearing on earth as fire,
In the ether, as lightning's flash,
and in the sky as the radiant sun.
*
A celestial being, with seven tongues.
Devouring the ghee, from offering flames.
*
Red-complexioned flesh, crimson at dawn.
Burns into a dusky, shadowy gaze;
all that it absolves.
*
Sanctifier of all,
in radiant hues.
*
In the heavens, in the sky, or on the earth;
Agni's eternal light engulfs ablaze.
*
Artwork Detail:
Agni as Sage, 2024
The smoky, vivid hues of the inner flame envelop Agnidev's form as he gazes into the fire's infinite expanse with an unwavering and eternal focus.
Digital Art | 3169 pixels X 4608 pixels | 96 dpi | Bit depth 24
*
we know him as the lord of the cosmic dance
but the lord of cosmic music too.
*
regal and poised, he sits,
weaving his musical strings
into a fabric of infinite rhythms.
*
destruction, creation, sustainance,
all takes place through his artistry.
*
universe is entranced,
galaxies tremble,
shiva's cosmic beats
is the universal ensemble.
*
Artwork Detail:
Primordial Musician, 2024
Seated upon his vaahana, shiva beholds a veena in hand. Veena, an Indian musical instrument; which is the instrument of rhythm in the universe. Lord Shiva, most often associated with dance, as nataraj; is seen here playing music, instead. (a very unique depiction of his). The artwork, through the rhythmically dancing lines weaves together the two aspects - those of dance and music - that emanate from him.
Digital Art | 3169 pixels X 4608 pixels | 96 dpi | Bit depth 24
*
The goddess of wisdom,
of learning,
of art, music
and knowledge.
She beholds a calm, pleasant face.
*
Holding a scripture,
and discretion in her sword.
Firmly her foot is laid on the ground,
she is seated upon a lotus throne.
*
Artwork Detail:
Saraswati, 2024
The goddess, her yantra, her vahana and the light of wisdom she emanates in life and also through her scriptural flair.
Digital Art | 3169 pixels X 4608 pixels | 96 dpi | Bit depth 24
*
First among the ten incarnations,
Glimmers this single-horned golden fish.
In the eye of devastating cosmic flood,
The Lord in his aquatic life born.
*
The avatar guided a boat,
Ensuring the world continues to survives.
Maintaining balance in the face of adversity,
Gaining devotion from all of humankind.
*
Emerged from the waters,
bringing salvation,
from the depths of existence,
guiding us toward enlightenment.
*
Artwork Detail:
Fish Incarnation, 2024
Made in the miniature painting style, this artwork situates the ancient sculpture of a golden fish within a flourishing landscape with a waterbody of lotuses (lotuses are usually associated with Vishnu).
Digital Art | 3169 pixels X 4608 pixels | 96 dpi | Bit depth 24
*
'Elephant'
Rrevered mount of rain's deity,
Crowned head of the god who banishes evil spell.
*
A symbol of good fortune and of fortitude, so bold,
In wealth and wisdom, its image we hold.
*
Gajasur, the elephant demon,
Devotee of Bramha, through his devout penance.
Granted invincibility, through a divine boon,
This noble beast was unleashed, and chaos was his boost.
*
Creating ruccus on the world,
through the havoc created by his powers.
Using his might, subjugating divine beings,
He challenged the cosmic orders.
*
But Shiva's powers were sole exception to his boon,
The world sought his refuge, to end this malice soon.
*
In Shiva's sanctuary, the demon met his fate,
Slaying Gajasur's brute force, the beast was returned to his mortal state.
*
Triumphing over the malevolent force, Shiva slays the elephant demon.
The cosmic balance is restored, as good prevails over evil.
Artwork Detail:
Veer, 2024
The essence of heroism, valor, and victory is central to the episode of Gajasura's demise. With the defeat of the invincible demon, Shiva restores cosmic order. Virtue prevails over vice, and even the mortal form is cleansed of wickedness, freeing Gajasura from his demonic nature, as he is released into the cosmos.
Digital Art | 3169 pixels X 4608 pixels | 96 dpi | Bit depth 24
*
Facing the four cardinal direction,
Bramha, Creative Head of the universe.
His four heads also represent the four Vedas,
Lord of knowledge and wisdom, he serves.
*
Gazing out with his all-encompassing knowledge,
Bramha oversees the entirety of creation.
This facet of bramha mirrors,
in his own self-reflecting meditation.
*
Artwork Detail:
Reflection of the Creator, 2024
This artwork captures a moment of Lord Bramha's profound self-reflection.
Digital Art | 3169 pixels X 4608 pixels | 96 dpi | Bit depth 24
Artwork Detail:
Creator's Cube, 2024
Evoking the design of a 3D printer's enclosure, this video hold at its center, the four-faced Brahma a state of introspection, peering into the cube's glass case. Within the cube, the myriad colors of the cosmos gleam, marking the passage of time. This is a moment of Bramha's contemplation. Contemplation of the boundless creativity of the universe and the observer's role within it.
Digital Art | Video | Animation | 610 pixels X 610 pixels | 1:1 aspect ratio
*
*
More Art, that brings the ‘Stone to Pixels‘. Coming Soon. Hopefully 🙂
प्रा 