Watching You

Description:

Presenting my latest work aptly titled “Watching you”. I’ve used a warm colour palette, with red as the dominant hue blended with other complementary warm tones. The crown, rendered in similar shades, is distinguished through the use of streaks in metallic colours, including touches of silver and gold. The ornaments below the face are painted in metallic tones as well, highlighted with a gold finish for added richness. The background is kept plain and dark to evoke a profound sense of space, subtly enhanced with a metallic dark violet to introduce depth and character.
The surreal dance form of Theyyam, indigenous to the northern regions of Kerala, is both mesmerizing and enigmatic. More than just a dance, it is a deeply spiritual and theatrical performance steeped in ancient traditions, weaving together rituals, music, dance, and storytelling. The vibrant face paint, towering headdresses, and intricate costumes make this art form truly captivating. However, it is the immersive experience of the performance—accompanied by traditional music played on ancient instruments—that adds a profound spiritual dimension, one that words can hardly capture. Having the privilege of being married into a family from this enchanting region, I’ve had the opportunity to witness this art firsthand, and the experience felt almost otherworldly, as though one is transported into a trance-like state.
This is a humble tribute to the simple, yet spectacular people who are involved in this art form, which touches the soul.
Faith in the divine often follows two main lines of thought. One where you feel assured that God is watching over you, offering guidance and protection. However, when you delve deeper into your own consciousness and realize that your actions don’t align with your inner state, an unsettling shift occurs. It’s no longer a sense of being watched over, but rather, the feeling that God is watching you—observing your every thought and action.