Story of a Painting - Mehrgarh, Indus and Ghalib
Mehrgarh excavations continue despite all odds; and there is much more hidden under the rugged, topograhic layers of Baluchistan. Saw this figurine (on the right) and found it most fascinating. JB, my friend who introduced me to this new discovery suggested that I should use it in a painting (noting my new interest in the medium). Like a pretentious, quasi-artist, I took the challenge and started a few weeks ago. Here is the semi-finished work:
As I worked on the subject the immense possibilities of our lost civilizations intrigued me further reminding me of arguably the greatest verse from the Master poet, Ghalib:
Hai Kahan Tamana Ka Doosra Qadam Yaarab
Ham ne Dashte Imkaan ko ek Naqshe pa paya
(impossible to translate: loosely means: My Lord! where can one find the second “step” of desire as I found the wilderness of possibilites a mere footprint)
The mental journey from Indus times to Ghalib, admittedly, was pretty jerky and this also finds a reflection in the painting above.
Nevertheless, as I painted on the left side —-
Ghalib zamanaa mujh ko mitaataa hey kiss liyay,
Loh-e-jahaan peh herf-e-mukerrer naheen hoon main
Ghalib why is the world trying to erase me,
after all, I am a ‘word’ that shall not be repeated on the Cosmic Slate
So I have titled this painting - Hai Kahan Tamana ka..
June 19th, 2007 at 4:08 pm
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