Mandu Series

I arrived in Mandu just before Holi. The ground was awash with the vibrant red-orange palash flowers. And there were the brightest blue skies and a light breeze that moved through the trees. Sunlight streamed through the monuments, weaving in and around the many arches, and through the intricate window screens of Hoshang Shah’s tomb, casting a shadow wherever it could.

Another visit in August presented the dreaminess of monsoon: the occasional drizzle and bright green moss which clung to the surface of Dilli Darwaza and to the floor of Hindola Mahal. The light had softened to a grey and all the lakes at Jahaz Mahal were full. This collection unveils how Mandu’s architectural glory reveals itself in different ways each season.

I have interpreted Mandu, by working exclusively on paper which has been manipulated in many different ways. Sometimes it is painted, torn, glued, or even pierced; it is a surface which I liken to a second skin. I am especially drawn to the movement of light in different spaces, through layers of arches and intricate screens. 

My formal training as a graphic designer (RISD, 1994) is particularly evident in this collection: there is an underlying presence of structure, along with an utterly free-spirited artist who permits the occasional breaking of boundaries. It could be a vibrant spray of palash on the path next to Malik Mughith’s mosque, or a hundred different sunsets behind the iconic jharokha at Jahaaz Mahal.

A symphony of motifs and shadows, colour and form — these interpretations and design elements have been the inspiration for these works.

This series was showcased in Palash & Baadal, my debut solo show at Kathiwada City House, Mumbai  in October 2023