24 inch Height X 18 inch Width
30 inch Height X 20 inch Width

Nrtyakala, the crowning glory of the Indian Natyashastras. Natyashastra is the scripture (‘shastra’) pertaining to the performing arts (‘natya’), of which nrtya or dance is an integral part. The painting that you see on this page is a surreal image of the art (‘kala’) of nrtya.

Besides the predominating blue monotone - a rich, deep, pregnant shade at that - the USP of this work of art is the discrete composition. It is a set of two canvases, the image on each of which completes the other.

A classical Indian dancer (subject of the bigger canvas) holds out the ghungroo (smaller one) from one of her ankles. She is dressed in a blue saree, matching glass bangles, and striking sapphire necklaces. The pristine flowers in her hair set off the highly textured monotone. The dancer’s mouth is painted a deep carmine, while her fingertips are dyed with liquid vermillion.