Bharatanatyam - Indian Classical

Bharatanatyam - Indian Classical
© Sanjeev Nandan
Acrylic on canvas : Original concept and painting
  16 in width x 20 in height
Date: Aug 2010

Continuing with my theme, dance and music, I explore an Indian classical dance Bharatanatyam which originated from the southern state of Tamil Nadu. This dance form is usually accompanied by the classical music.

As before , I began my work producing a digital concept before I transferred it on to canvas.This time I was a little more impressionistic than my previous painting.

Feel the rhythm

Feel the rhythm
© Sanjeev Nandan
Acrylic on canvas : Original concept and painting
  16 in width x 20 in height
Date: July 2010

This painting extends the same theme of dance and music. I have followed the same process, very similar to what I did for  "The musicians". It is becoming more and more part of my core style and I am enjoying it. I first work on the image digitally and then follow the color abstraction process.

This is based off an African dancer Mawuenyega Mensah but as you can see I do a lot of processing and modification to produce a very different and much more colorful final product.

Chinese dance

The Chinese dancer
© Sanjeev Nandan
Acrylic on canvas : Original concept and painting
11 in width x 14 in height
Date: Jan 2010

This image is from en.cnci.gov.cn

  

This painting is based on a Chinese dance form. Like most Asian art and dance forms, the costumes are very traditional and extremely colorful. Like many of my other paintings, this has a lot of detail work done on it using the painting knife.Since its a smaller size painting, it takes a little more effort.

Folk Dance

Folk dance
© Sanjeev Nandan
Acrylic on canvas : Original concept and painting
  16 in width x 20 in height
Date: May 2009

This is my first painting in the Dance and Music theme. There is a mix of abstract design and  non-abstract work. For most parts of the painting I used a painting knife. 

This painting is based on some Indian Folk Dances. Different part of India have their specific folk music and dance. They are performed on almost every special occasion and festival as an expression of joy.

This image is from http://www.indianetzone.com/41/villages_west_bengal.htm

Tribal dance

Tribal dance
© Sanjeev Nandan
Acrylic on canvas : Original concept and painting
  20 in width x 16 in height
Date: Feb 2010

 There is something fascinating about simple lines and colors.When I started this painting, the first thing I did was paint the background. Then came the sketch and the foreground colors which were simply and extension of the background. This concept is based on many simple and beautiful African artwork.

Flamenco - Butterflies on the wall.

Flamenco - Butterflies on the wall.
© Sanjeev Nandan
Acrylic on canvas : Original concept and painting
  24in width x 20 in height x 7/8 in
Date: Mar 2010

Flamenco is a stylized form of dance from Spain. I continue to explore the same theme of dance and music. I have tried to bring out the contrast of bright colors through the earth tone background. I also like to call this painting Butterflies on the wall.

Krishna Kathakali - Story through a dance

Krishna Kathakali - Story through a dance
© Sanjeev Nandan  
Acrylic on canvas : Original concept and painting
16 in width x 20 in height
Date: Dec 2009

Kathakali is a dance form from Kerala ( southern state of India) that tells a story in the form of dance. It's so colorful, you can dedicate your whole theme on this. All the characters dress up elaborately, and it takes hours. This dance involves a lot of graceful steps with hand and eye gestures.

The painting is of one of the characters who play the role of Krishna - a supreme being and deity worshiped in India. Krishna is depicted by his dark skin and a peacock feather on his head. He also plays the flute.

The musicians

The Musicians
© Sanjeev Nandan
Acrylic on canvas : Original concept and painting
16 in width x 20 in height
Date: June 2010

The musicians is a completely original concept. If you look carefully you will see thick coats of paint, almost oil like. I used a painting knife to create this woody like effect. I initially created the sketch on computer, and then applied the process of simplification which I like to call 'color abstraction'. By the way, the instrument in the painting is called a 'sitar'

 Here is the original digital concept that I created

Here is the cleaned up version after methodically following 'color abstraction'

Manipuri dancers

Manipuri dancers
Acrylic on canvas. Original concept and painting. 
© Sanjeev Nandan 

2 ft height x 4 ft width x 7/8 inch

Date: Nov 2009

My current theme is dance and music. This painting is based on an Indian classical dance from Manipur, a state in north-eastern India. The costume is amazingly beautiful and interesting at the same time. Manipuri dancers move their body, feet and facial expressions in a subtle manner very gracefully much like a devotional prayer.

This painting took approximately 4 weeks to complete, right from conception to execution. The original sketch was on paper which I quickly transferred to computer. Using simple digital techniques and tools, I applied a color scheme. Once I was satisfied with the digital representation I moved on to painting it.