handmade textiles

In India’s Madhubani folk art, peacocks are considered the epitome of beauty and ecstasy and are also associated with romantic love, while fish are symbols of prosperity and fertility. In this intricate composition, a majestic peacock commands attention and is surrounded by water, fish and an imposing tree of life. Parboni Ghosh crafts this alluring painting using acrylics and ink on handmade cotton paper.

“Man and woman are responsible for the creation of life. The Tree of Life is a symbol of wisdom, knowledge, eternity and harmony. Our life cycle is also an eternal process through creation and destruction, showing us the pathway to liberation from pain and suffering. And peacocks represent divine love and companionship,” says India’s Parboni Ghosh about his exquisite painting expertly crafted in Madhubani folk art style. This striking artwork is rendered with a blend of acrylics and ink on handmade cotton paper.

Ganesha, God of wisdom and the most widely revered of the Hindu assemblage, casts aside all other aspects of the Earth to devote himself to mindfulness in the garden of peacocks. As a master of the mind, Ganesha encourages others in their pursuits of learning and advanced studies, aiding in focus and intellect with his ubiquitous presence which draws all minds to the center. Depicted in his commonly-accepted four-armed form, wearing a floral crown and patterned textiles, Ganesha appears levitating while seated, seemingly superimposed over the peacocks of the background. Bharti Dayal creates 'Ganesha - The Beginning' to honor the deity's role as the giver of new beginnings and to tell the authentic story of India's vivid experience with Hinduism, painting handmade paper with vegetable-derived colors.

"Madhubani paintings are in fact a simplistic manifestation of the philosophical heights achieved by Indian civilization for the universal power of love, longing and peace; the quest of all beings," Dayal says.

The Ardhanarishvara is a mesmerizing depiction of the Hindu deity Shiva and his beloved consort Parvati in perfect harmony. Exquisitely crafted in the captivating style of Madhubani folk art by India’s Parboni Ghosh, this remarkable composition unveils a hypnotic portrayal of duality. The half-male and half-female form symbolizes the inseparable union of masculine and feminine energies that flow through the very fabric of the Universe. Through the skillful use of ink and watercolor on handmade paper, the artist breathes life into this extraordinary scene, evoking a sense of awe and reverence for the sacred balance that exists within us all.