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

Unmade Nations

Written in 1990, about the war going on in Beirut then. Today it can be about a lot of countries which are directly or indirectly involved in war.

Unmade Nations

You and I were there, when the Sun went down in the ocean;

The sky was clear, rest dear and melody in the air;

Birds were chirping, dusk within and everything else was thrilling.

But, do you know what happens, when the rain falls heavy on the poor?

Their houses break, the lives are at stake and everything is washed in tears.

The children cry, they weeping die, in the search of their dear mothers;

They fill the graves; the unmade cakes are still to be baked in the ovens.

Do you know what happens, when the dark is night, even the day is not bright and hearts of people are shaken?

Fear surrounds in the broken towns, oh! Blood is even in the beer.

Death is their shadow, still the will to live is in peoples’ bone and marrow;

The shells blast, in peoples’ past and future is in hands of heaven;

In present they die, not once but by and by,

Not by the hands of heathens.

Do you know what happens, when a child is stabbed by bayonet’s knife and tears of sorrow are rolling?

Words fail to tell their tales and guilt in us is arisen;

Chirping birds, the shinning roads and all other pleasures are soaked in;

By the sponge in heart, which feels the dart, hitting, people of unmade nations.

Sweet tooth 3