Chandalika

Posting the last painting of this series by Mrs. Kanak Sinha. She graduated from Vasanta College for Women,Banaras, which is affiliated to Banaras Hindu University.Her fine arts teacher was Shri Avni Kumar Sinha, lovingly known to students as Avnida. He was from Kolkota School Of Arts.The unique thing about his classes was that all the students in his class were given just a topic and every student had to  compose a painting on their own thus no two paintings under the same roof were the same, there was no copying , all compositions by every student were original.
CHANDALIKA
This painting depicts the story of an "untouchable" woman, Prokrithi who was mistreated by villagers because of her caste.She found a new life when a Budhhist Monk named Anondo requested her to give him water to drink from her well, breaking all the barriers of caste rules and told her she was equal to all other humans. This story was written by Shri Rabindranath Tagore in 1933 to bring awareness about the futility and unfairness of caste system.It was turned into a dance drama in 1938.

Abhisarika

This painting depicts a young woman in love, "Abhisarika" refers to a lady who does not care about what the world thinks or says about her, she is in love and intends to meet her beloved without worrying about the consequences.I tried to look up an English word for this particular word in Hindi but could not find one.

Santhali Folk Dance

Santhal are a tribal community ,they form the largest tribal community in India and inhabit many states of India like Jharkhand,Bihar,west Bengal. This painting depicts their folk dance  performed by women, accompanied by male musicians.

Mother & Child

This is one of the most favourite paintings of Mrs. Kanak Sinha.

 In Hindi language, the word "love" has many different names depending upon the relationship shared between two people. A mother's love for her child which is referred to as " Vatsalya" is considered second only to love for God " Bhakti".

Painting By Kanak Sinha

Friends

This painting depicts how companions used to spend their time during summer. Summer means holidays. Televisions, video games, social media was missing from people's lives and friends spent countless hours in the company of each other. 

Summer meant day dreaming together, chasing dreams, talking your heart out. Discussing each and every thought harboring in the heart. Just sitting idle in the shade of a tree, watching clouds change their forms, enjoying the bond of silence with your best friend. Picking flowers for decorating the house, adorning the hair or making garlands for Gods and Goddesses. 

Nature also specializes in accessorizing summer with the most brilliant flowers, fiery orange of Gulmohar (Delonix regia) depicted in the painting and sunshine yellow of Amaltas (Cassia fistula) are the two very prominent beauties of the brutal Indian summer.

Painting By Kanak Sinha

Bangle Seller

Continuing with Mrs. Kanak Sinha's paintings. She grew up mostly in cities and towns yet village compositions were frequently painted by her. 

This painting depicts a bangle seller, selling bangles door to door. There was a time when they used to visit homes and roam the streets with a basket on their head.

The basket used to have glass bangles of different colours tied separately. They were tied size -wise and colour-wise in a circle with pieces of threads. People used to call them, as in, shout from their verandahs for them. 

When they came over, the women and girls of the household used to go berserk. Bangle sellers had something for everyone. From the broadest wrists to the tiniest of wrists. 

That day each and every female would load their wrists with atleast 4 dozen bangles...2 dozen in each hand. Think of a colour and it was there. The domestic help were also asked to come and choose, they received bangles as gift. 

During wedding season, they were especially invited to come and adorn the wrists of bride-to-be with special very thin and delicate golden bangles. The price of the bride's bangles used to be non negotiable. 

Painting By Kanak Sinha

Village Gossip

This painting depicts early afternoon when most of the village women finish their daily chores. They sit down together to exchange some gossip. In villages everyone knows everyone, people are referred to as uncles and aunts. Interference in each other's matters is not considered violation of privacy but as help.Women help each other, the elders pass on their wisdom while the young women learn . Children grow up playing with goats, pups, dogs and chasing chicken. Climbing trees and racing are some of the most entertaining games. Rag dolls and wooden toys are home- made, no matter how hot the days, children wait for their mothers to fall asleep while trying to make the child take a nap and then sneak outdoors to play all afternoon.

Painting By Kanak Sinha

Indian Summer

This painting depicts lazy, hot, Indian summer. It was painted in an era when coolers and air conditioners were rare. Even today in villages and small towns people who work outdoors rest under the shades of trees.
Farmers  eat their lunch brought from home by their wives under trees. Stretch their legs for a while before restarting their difficult task of growing food with or without the help of modern farming tools and machines.

Painting By Kanak Sinha

Prateeksha ( Waiting)

Featuring some paintings by Mrs. Kanak Sinha.These paintings were made in late 60s.Medium is watercolour but the technique is that of poster colours, first flat colour was applied on sketches and later finishing was done with darker shades and finally with black.

Holi