Tuesday, July 14, 2015

Joyous Festival Processions

Musicians Heralding A Parade watercolor sketch by Meera Rao

Street parades and processions during festival season is a common sight.  In the southern India it is often lead by musicians playing Nadaswaram or even saxaphone,  mridanga and dolu -drums playing joyful hymns. The ensemble is called 'valaga.' They are followed by elaborately decorated floats carrying various deities. 

Hitching a ride with the Deity watercolor sketch Meera Rao

Children enjoy riding on the back of the ornate floats and being a part of the parade.  Prominently displayed on the floats are the names of the sponsors.  The floats are called 'vahana' and they carry the images of  deities. Devotees sing and dance as they slowly make way thru the streets. Here a vehicle is decorated with a pair of 'swans.'    

Vahana with Ornate silver Horses watercolor sketches Meera Rao

'Silver horses' decorated with flowers, silky materials and ornaments hide a car/truck that is carrying another deity! The sponsors take great pride in making sure their 'vahana' stands out in the procession. On the whole it is a fun diversion and joyous occasion for kids and participants and but a major traffic headache for some others :) 

The sketches are part of my sketchbook "Embracing the Ephemeral" done on Moleskine Japanese Albums in pencil/pen and watercolors. 

12 comments:

Carol Blackburn said...

Meera, you do such wonderful figurative watercolors. Beautiful!

Sadami said...

Hi, Meera, lovely sketches and a wonderful post! Not easy to capture moving people. You've done well! Keep enjoying sketching. Your watercolour work will tell a beautiful story more and more. Best wishes, Sadami

Meera Rao said...

Thank you Carol :)

Meera Rao said...

Thank you very much Sadami! yes, moving people are very difficult capture --especially children!!!!

padmaja said...

Super work Meera, you seem to make this subject so easy, but it is not for me! I am planning on procession paintings for years now, some how it is daunting to start one!

Elizabeth Merchant said...

For the Artist... people make the world go round. Because we can bring out the best in them. Kudos - wonderful work. Will stop by your art site more often.

Unknown said...

That looks like such fun, and wow! you really brought out the excitement of the event! I'm waiting to buy your book, Meera!

hmuxo said...

For some reason I haven't been able to follow you Meera! So now I finally am able to see all your lovely work on your blog! Your sketches are amazing and so full of wonderful colors! I look forward to seeing your next paintings!

Meera Rao said...

thank you, Padmaja! I will look forward to your procession painting -hope to see it soon :)

Meera Rao said...

Thank you for stopping by Elizabeth Merchant !

Meera Rao said...

Katherine, Yes I need to get busy with that book ! thank you for your support!

Meera Rao said...

@Hmuxo, Glad to see you again :) and thank you for your kind words !

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