Meditation in Creation Rajesh Relan
The creation of a mandala is seen as a spiritual, meditative, and even therapeutic art form where the artist is in a trancelike, meditative state while creating. Mandala is known to put its artists at peace, allowing them an outlet to release everything on their mind, whether frustrations, stress, or bliss, into a beautiful art form. That is equated to the art of painting as well. Painting acts as a time where the artist can escape the world for a few hours and occupy a place with no time & space, simply to create cathartically without boundaries. Essentially, a form of active meditation.
Siddhipriya
Giver of wishes and boons Oil on Canvas - 9”x12”
It all started here. While designing my niece’s wedding card I picked up the paint brush one more time after more than a decade. As is said praying Ganesha at the begining of anything is very auspicious and it turned out to be like that. My lost art came back and gave me the same peace of mind I used to get earlier while painting.
Goddess Saraswati Oil on Canvas - 30�x40�
Saraswati, goddess of knowledge and the arts, embodies the wisdom of Devi. She is the river of consciousness that enlivens creation; she is the dawn-goddess whose rays dispel the darkness of ignorance. Without her there is only chaos and confusion. To realize her one must go beyond the pleasures of the senses and rejoice in the serenity of the spirit.
Savare Rang Oil on Canvas - 18”x24”
I have dyed myself in Krishna’s colour, I have put on jewellery and bells on my feet, to dance without embarrassment and be free! I am enlightened and prefer company of saints, and realized my true being as a devotee, I sing the praises of Krishna every day, through time and eras I see! The world is so tasteless without my Lord, everything else is meaningless, Meera is obsessed with Krishna, and doesn’t mind being called the crazy devotee!
Embarrassed Oil on Canvas - 15”x30”
my fault is another’s laughter. my soul begins to sink as my red face inks in my embarrassment. the smile i’ve put there is convincing, but it’s a show. under the apathy i’m blinking back hot tears. they burn, but not as much as the cold slap of their laughs
The Lantern
Oil on Canvas - 40”x30”
Ganpati with Flute Oil on Canvas - 16”x20”
Dancing Ganpati Oil on Canvas - 16”x20”
Jugalbandi 1 Oil on Canvas - 30”x40”
Jugalbandi 2 Oil on Canvas - 30”x40”
Bendir Oil on Canvas -20�x16�
The term Bendir means in Turkish language a big hand frame drum, which is known as Duff in Arabic language. The bendir is a frame drum with a wooden frame and a membrane. It creates different tones according to the spreading of the shock waves moving across the skins itself.
Ckarkha Oil on Canvas -24�x18�
The tabletop or floor charkha is one of the oldest known forms of the spinning wheel. The charkha works similarly to the great wheel, with a drive wheel being turned by hand, while the yarn is spun off the tip of the spindle.
Sohni Mahival One of the most popular tragic romace epic of Punjab. Sohni, unhappily married to a man she despises, swims every night across the river using an earthenware pot to keep afloat in the water, to where her beloved Mahiwal herds buffaloes. One night her sister-in-law replaces the earthenware pot with a vessel of unbaked clay, which dissolves in water and she drowns in the whirling waves of the river. In an unsuccessful attempt to save Sohni, Mahival drowns aswell.
Sohni Mahiwal Oil on Canvas - 18”x24”
Sohni with Earthenpot Oil on Canvas - 18”x24”
Romance Oil on Canvas - 16�x20�
Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength, while loving someone deeply gives you courage.
Gopala Gopala is another form of Lord Krishna, the Cowherd Boy who enchanted the Cowherd Maidens (Gopis) with the divine sound of his flute, attracting even Kamadeva (the Hindu god of love and passion).
With the Cattle Oil on Canvas - 15”x30”
Long Flute
Oil on Canvas - 16”x20”
Musicians in Red Oil on Canvas - 18”x24” each
My serenity Oil on Canvas - 30�x40�
I sit, Close my eyes. Words with glorifying meaning I do not understand. Yet, it calms me. Place I let no other enter, Not a single soul enters. My place. My time. My serenity.
Music Music expresses that which cannot be said and on which it is impossible to be silent.
Magan
Oil on Canvas - 36�x24�
Viloin & Tabla Oil on Canvas - 10”x8”
Flute & Sitar Oil on Canvas - 10”x8”
My Best Friend’s Wedding Oil on Canvas - 16”x20”
I don’t have a best friend. I have two and they married each other. A dedication to their romace which still remains fresh more than 25 years after they tied the knot.
Mother’s Day There is nothing in the world of art like the songs mother used to sing.
Yashoda-Gopal
Oil on Canvas -40”x30”
Family Portrait
Oil on Canvas -30”x22”
Father’s Day My father gave me the greatest gift anyone could give another person, he believed in me.
Blue Ganpati & Shivling Oil on Canvas -24”x18”
Baby Ganpati & Shivling Oil on Canvas -24”x18”
Ganapati Bappa Morya Devotees chant Ganapati Bappa Morya all the time to sing the praises of Lord Ganesh. But how many of them know what the word Morya signify? The word Morya refers to a famous devotee of Lord Ganesh in the fourteenth century called Morya Gosavi, who invoked the Lord with severe penance. He attained siddhi (special powers and blessings) and his son built a temple to commemorate the event. Thus this depicts the inseparable relationship between God and his devotee.�
Raas Leela Raas Leela or Rasa dance is part of the traditional story of Krishna described in Hindu scriptures such as the Bhagavata Purana and literature such as the Gita Govinda, where he dances with Radha and her sakhis.
Midnight Dance
Oil on Canvas -30”x40”
Yellow Moon
Oil on Canvas -36”x48”
Await
Oil on Canvas - 18”x24”
Curiosity
Oil on Canvas - 18”x24”
Untitled
Oil on Canvas - 30”x40”
Dandiya Raas Oil on Canvas - 24”x36”
Calm
Oil on Canvas - 15”x30”
Goddess Lakshmi Oil on Canvas - 30�x40�
Draped in a red saree, bedecked with gold ornaments, seated on a lotus, pot in hand, flanked by white elephants, the image of Lakshmi adorns most Hindu homes and business establishments. Lakshmi, also called Laxmi, is the goddess of wealth, fortune, power, luxury, beauty, fertility, and auspiciousness. She holds the promise of material fulfillment and contentment. She is described as restless, whimsical yet maternal, with her arms raised to bless and to grant her blessings.
Spill the paint bucket! Rajesh Relan is a self-taught visual artist who began his artistic journey as a young boy in his home country of India. He has been a part of the creative world ever since then. In India, Rajesh ran a handicraft unit, and was well-known as an interior designer. Even while raising a family in the United States, he kept his creative juices flowing by dabbling in both web design and art direction for a national publication. Rajesh believes in “spilling the paint bucket”. His artwork is a combination of both bold and warm colors. Inspired by the spectrum of bright colors that Mother Nature provides, his artwork is classified as “Indian Contemporary”. Rajesh calls his work “Inspired Expressionism”. Raised with a strong belief of giving back to the community, Rajesh proudly supports both Home of Hope, a California-based non-profit organization that helps destitute children, and Respond Foundation, another non-profit organization that promotes aspiring artists.
HOME OF HOPE’s mission is to provide opportunities which empower disadvantaged and underprivileged youth to become self-sustaining adults. HOH programs and projects nurture and educate children and young adults who are
HOME OF HOPE
deaf, blind, abandoned, orphaned, physically or
mentally-challenged, or otherwise disadvantaged. HOH believes and strives to offer the disadvantaged and disabled a life of dignity and self-reliance. It provides education, shelter, nutrition, and above all HOPE for a bright and attainable future.
www.hohinc.org
RESPOND FOUNDATION is a Non-Profit Organization, which acts as a catalyst for true artists and helps create a platform to showcase their art. True art needs to be nurtured and given the right direction for it to come out with its true colours. RESPOND FOUNDATION strives to work towards this direction and it is a humble beginning towards a more colourful tomorrow. RESPOND FOUNDATION was founded by Mrs. Kiran Joneja Sippy.
www.RespondFoundation.com
MANDALA
Meditation in Creation