The Center for Soft Power would like to announce the results of Apoorva Parva Strokes of the Wild, which was held in collaboration with Heritage Trust and AWN-Artists for Wildlife and Nature.
The winners are: First Prize: Dhawal Anand from Ludhiana, Second Prize P A Akash Naik, Ernakulum, Kerala.
Dhawal Anand's entry is the feature image in this announcement.
Title: Panchavati – The Residence of Rama, Lakshmana and Sita: Text by Dhawal
During their Exile and the Golden Dear. Lord Rama spent a few years of his vanvasa (exile) at Panchvati, a place known in the Ramayana for ‘Sita’s haran’ and many events leading up to it. Located on the banks of the Godavari, India’s second-longest river, Panchvati is associated with a diverse range of flora and fauna. The vegetation can be described as Tropical dry deciduous. Diverse types of animals and bird species have been mentioned by Bhagwan Valmiki. These includes fauna of Various species of Monkeys, Hamsa (swan), Karandava (Coot), Kraunca (Pond heron), Mayura (Syn. Varhi peacock), Mrga (roe deer) and Sarasa (Indian crane) and variety of flora like Chick pea, rice, Bare Caper, Silk Cotton Tree, Indian Laburnum and Bay Cedar with canopy of trees which I tried to depict in a single frame. Here, I depict the 22th verse of 42th Sarga of Aranyakanda of Valmiki Ramayana which describes the incident where Mareecha deceived Mata Sita by transforming into a magical golden deer and by doing so, helped Ravana in his attempt to abduct Mata Sita. In my painting I portrayed Lakshmana and Sita trying to please Lord Rama and suddenly a Magical Deer wanders about the banana groves surrounding Rama's hermitage and moves slowly towards the karnikara trees in order to catch the attention of Sita.
Remarks by Prasad Natarajan, Wildlife Artist and Founder of AWN-Artists for Wildlife and Nature): Abundant usage of pleasant colours is pleasing to the viewer. Balance usage of warm colours on the main characters brings the viewer’s attention. Well composed work with rhythm of colours, curves and lines. Story telling work! Hearty Congratulations!
Second Prize Winner: P A Akash Naik, Ernakulam, Kerala, Medium: Acrylic paint, Size: 11.69x16.00 inches.
Title: Agastya Ashram. Text by Akash
This painting is themed on Rishi Agastya's Ashram. Lord Rama along with Sita and Lakshmana met Agastya Muni in the Dandak forest, during their exile. In the painting, his ashram is located on the banks of river Pravara, a tributary of river Godavari. According to legend, Lord Rama and Lakshmana were given magical bows, arrows, and a dagger by Agastya Muni. Agastya Muni’s divine powers, are believed to have kept away demons from his Ashram and brought peace in the wild animals that live nearby. Lord Rama had come across his Ashram to gain Agastya Muni's blessing and to get a chance to serve him. The scenery of their arrival at his Ashram is of immense natural and devotional beauty.
Remarks by Prasad Natarajan, Wildlife Artist and Founder of AWN-Artists for Wildlife and Nature): Atmospheric, rush of light with right amount of depth and emphasis on the main subjects has been depicted well. Your painting transports me to Kerala and the memories of my to that beautiful land. Good perspective. Hearty Congratulations!
