मना

मना वासना दुष्ट कामा नये रे

मना सर्वथा पापबुद्धि नको रे 

मना धर्मता नीति सोडू नको हो 

मना अंतरी सार वीचार राहो 

Tiny canvas artwork for Saint Ramdas' manache sholka (मनाचे श्लोक) 

LISTEN

There is a voice that doesn't use words. Listen. — RUMI.

Kexperiment

Another sketch on paper; later coloured with pencils. Strangely the forms are quite distorted (in terms of finesse) but luckily I managed this consistently ;) This is a family of letter "K" (क) of devanagari also reminds me of single-blade-pinwheel-toy; we used to play with ;) 

Lettermuse

Its my muse. The letter 'K' (क ) of devanagari. The beauty of this letter lies in its simplicity, two circles (actually one complete and other incomplete oval) separated, divided, parted by long stick, line or border. Many connotations to derive from.

Callihunt

Here its the trophy (gold award) and certificate of appreciation for the Callihunt 2016, I was selected as a gold winner from the entries received from all over India. The event was very well organised, managed and presented by APSC team. I will cherish this moment and it definitely gives boost for love for writing.

 

Boost

The best birthday gift ever!
This news came in an email and then a phone call to believe myself.
As I am selected as a gold winner for Nationwide Callihunt 2016!!
!!YAY!!
It was organised by Achyut Palav School of Calligraphy and this is the first time they have introduced this competition to find the calligraphy talent across India and of course to encourage the art of beautiful handwriting – it is also an occasion of 7th annual day of the school.

Thanks and best wishes to APSC team and Achyut Palav. It is a big encouragement and big push to work better and explore the art further and of course the pressure to maintain. ;) 

I will post the entry which I have submitted in next post.

Experimental Tool

Thread tied at the end of a stick (actually carving tool) makes an excellent tool. Great texture, amazing fluidity and unexpected results – perfect combination of any calligraphic art.

Space

Another composition with black ink on white textured paper, with new tool I discussed in last post.

Simply love how the way letters overlap each other and create the dramatic space among themselves. Some tight, compact, some loose, some wants to be with someone, some wants to be away, some extends their hands and some literally pushes to make their own space. Eventually makes a harmonious community.

Ain't we also behave like this?

New Tool Madness

Madness mania by this newly acquired tool.

Strokes & Letters

Already had few pages filled with black strokes. Contemplating to leave it just like that or to add lettering to make it more meaningful, went with later decision. Not so good result but definitely a good practice of uppercase (capitals) and warming up the hand.

Flexible

Stretching exercise! Not for me but for letters ;)
Its fun to see how letters can formed by just extending & expanding their counters, strokes, bowls and what not. Result with amazing forms & counters. This animal like creature was purely unintentional.

 

Let's take a break!

This was the art piece, I created taking breaks in between my regular graphic design work. The canvas was lying on the desk for really long time; rather it was keep inviting me to do something. This artwork created in some 6/7 sittings. Good fun and good recharge therapy. Should keep some more empty papers & canvases in front ;)

Surprise at back

I was arranging my old artworks and papers and accidentally noticed the other side of its beauty. How amazing the paper and ink react to each other — The patterns they form, textures they create; their relationship definitely works. It also opens the new doors of art of looking sideways ;)

 

10th World Calligraphy Biennale, Jeollabuk Do (Korea)

Finally completed my Calligraphy Biennale post (Sorry it was the last year's post)

Here, I am writing this post sitting at Incheon Airport of South Korea, waiting for my flight to India (via Hong Kong). Why I am here because I was invited to participate & attend the exhibition of 10th World Calligraphy Biennale, Jeollabuk, South Korea. Me and Mr. Achyut Palav (a well known and talented calligrapher from, Bombay, India) were only from India showcased the work.
It was a great opportunity to experience this event as the first time I met, talked and saw the south east asian calligraphy practitioners and masters and their great body of work. Primarily, the Chinese, Japanese, Korean scripts were on the display, I am glad Indian script (devanagari) also made into this league.
This conference was comprised of grand inauguration, exhibition, paper presentations (I wish they could managed English translations) and of course sight seeing and food treat. Sori Art Centre, a venue was amazing space and huge. This biennale is on till 15th November 2015, more details here

Me with my showcased piece



On the concluding gala dinner night, all the invited calligraphers had
to "write" something in their language (with provided brush & ink)

Master calligrapher – Wang Dongling (he is genius)

Other calligraphers work – simply stunning, you can experience the devotion, passion and command of these 30-40 years.

This piece is by "yours truly" – Vasudhaiv Kutumbakam (The World is One Family)

I was nervous doing brush work in front of the legends.

My Messy Desk

After a long break on the blog – starting this new post on messy note ;)
I have shifted to new place last year and made a workstation arrangement such that where I can have TWO desks – small desk for laptop where I usually end up spending more time and right opposite other big desk for calligraphy and other hand-done stuff. This keeps reminding me to take a break from mechanical/mundane stuff and use your brain and hands for other productive works too.