Jain Tirthankaras-in Modern Art

A Tirthankar is a special teacher in Jainism, a religion from India. Imagine it like a superhero who helps people understand how to live a good and kind life. There are 24 Tihrthankars, and they showed us how to be peaceful, honest, and caring towards others and all living things.

The first Tirthankar is called Rishabhdev, and the last one is called Mahavira. They taught important lessons about being nice, not hurting anyone, and taking care of the environment. Think of them like wise guides who help us make good choices!

Artist's Note:

I have only been slightly exposed to Jain art and architecture through books, especially the pictures of Mount Abu ,Shatrunjaya cluster of temples and few random sculptures which I saw in the Madras museum collection. I remember studying Jain religious canons and about various monuments in my 10th standard text books. In my younger days, I was very fascinated by the Sittanavasal frescoes and I thought that someday I would visit them. I found that these desires were not practical, as they require a lot of money and effort which is unproductive for less successful artists such as myself. I transformed my interest more into modern art, which only requires minimal field study. Another reason for not overindulging in the realm of traditional art is that it is increasingly being viewed as a commodity or decorative object by Indian buyers.

I have never visited any Jain monument or living Jain temple except for the small temple called Thiruparuthikundram also known as Jaina Kanchi which had nice murals, but now spoilt in name of restoration by inexperienced hands.

These quick sketches of tirthankaras are the outcome of a quick, superficial research effort. Had I had the capacity to lay my hands on the great texts, I would have become a lucrative medical professional instead of a struggling artist. Every cloud has a silver lining. At least there are small pockets of people who show us respect for our creativity and expertise

I am privileged to receive valuable inputs from my friend and young research scholar, Mr. Swanand Mahendra Telang, (Maharashtra).I take full accountability for all mistakes and inconsistencies while interpreting the subjects. Under artistic license, a freer and broader approach was taken. No moral munificence, no intellectual inference, and no Google reference are used in this project.

Thank you all for showing interest in this blog. Feedback is greatly appreciated. Should there be any prospective buyer interested in acquiring the complete set, it is available for ₹15,000, which includes domestic shipping. All sketches are done on A5- Canson drawing paper using archival markers and Winsor & Newton watercolours. I refrained from watermarking the images so that friends can use these sketches as they like. Thank you. Jai Jinendra!

(1) Lord Rishabhanatha

(2) Lord Ajitanatha

(3) Lord Sambhavanatha

(4) Lord Abhinandananatha

(5) Lord Sumatinatha

(6) Lord Padmaprabha

(7) Lord Suparshvanatha

(8) Lord Chandraprabha

(9) Lord Suvidhinatha

(10) Lord Shitalanatha

(11) Lord Shreyanshanatha

(12) Lord Vasupujya

(13) Lord Vimalanatha

(14) Lord Anantnath

(15) Lord Dharmanatha

(16) Lord Shantinatha

(17) Lord Kunthunatha

(18) Lord Arnath

(19) Lord Mallinatha or Malli Devi

(20) Lord Munisuvrata

(21) Lord Naminatha

(22) Lord Neminatha

(23) Lord Parshwanath

(24) Lord Mahavira

Republic day greetings to all of you!!

----end

Love pictures, a discarded project

Last week, I was jobless. I drew some Mithunas, or couples in love using pro markers. I thought of making 25 sketches and bringing it in book form, but I lost sustained interest after making 11. I even drafted a preface which I am reproducing in red text. Like many, this is one such project that I have withdrawn but prefer to keep in the public domain. I am not watermarking, please use them if you like. However, if you are keenly interested in commissioning such unique sketches, I may take up your request. All drawings are available for sale, each costing 2k INR, plus shipping. In light of the cost-effectiveness, it is my wish that a sole collector secures the complete series.

I feel that I have conserved a considerable amount of money and time by abandoning this unproductive pursuit. Your kind cooperation is appreciated.

Best regards,

Srinivas Krothapally

Alias:Te Sri

Preface:

I am doubtful whether this illustrative book that I have created is intended to be light-hearted, or if it is a product of my strong, innate desire to be creative and original. I am sharing these drawings with the public despite the potential criticism of them being seen as outdated. As I continue to explore and develop my artistic style, my mentors have deemed my experiments as lacking merit. This perception has also been echoed by individuals I engage with both in person and online. I remained indifferent to their viewpoint and paid little heed to their thoughts. The sketches were created using a set of markers known as Promarkers on paper.

May a universal coming together occur between the masculine and feminine elements, fostering love among young adults and strengthening the bonds of long-term couples in matrimonial relationships.

Thank you for buying this book
KSV

Revisiting the Past with Sketches of Pastries and Coffee

This blog commemorates my 11th year of settling in Rajahmundry from "Singara" Chennai. The reasons for settling are numerous; firstly, I did not have enough money for expensive city life. Secondly, because of my dislike to excessive urbanization. Thirdly, I needed a place with fewer distractions to carry out my research. Finally, I found that most people whom I used to interact with in Chennai lacked integrity and found them to be agents of evil-mindedness.

My relocation was an unnoticed event, neither Tamilnadu considered it as a "cultural exodus" nor Andhra Desa viewed it as a "cultural repatriation". 

Incidentally, Rajahmundry and surrounding hamlets in the Godavari districts were the places where my forefathers once lived. They all appear to have engaged in agriculture and other scholarly pursuits. Two of my mother's younger sisters still live in Rajahmundry.

When I purchased my apartment in 2013, the surrounding areas were barren lands once used for productive agriculture. I am again in an incongruous position now; the same barren lands have currently become a concrete jungle comprising of residential apartments, shopping complexes, supermarkets, shopping malls, and pubs. Numerous business establishments, including both local and international enterprises, have recently commenced operations on A.V.Apparao Road in the past few years, located a mere 3 or 4-minute stroll from my residence-cum-studio. One such shop that caters pastries, cakes, pizzas, and a wide range of beverages is Fresh Choice Patisserie.

Most walk-in customers to this restaurant are teenagers ,young couples, families with kids, etc. who enjoy eating food and while away their time. Lots of people come here to place orders for birthday cakes and other food for gatherings and parties.

My eating habit at this place is very restricted due to my long-time diabetes mellitus and adherence to vegetarianism. I eat mostly some kind of pastries along with coffee. I concur with you; it is a huge-scale violation on my health front. My habit of sketching interesting culinary delights overtakes my eating indulgence, hence the genesis of this small output of food sketches mostly from the aforementioned eatery.

I prefer to sketch at nearby places and that too in short spells, as I may have to return home sooner from outings as my mother needs geriatric attention 24x7.

This restaurant is clean and tidy ,staffed with friendly people. The quality of food is par excellence .I am an incompetent food writer and this article is not a serious restaurant review and therefore I eagerly await for a good food connoisseur to write one.

These sketches are small miniatures, made in situ with alcohol markers on art paper. They are available for sale. Please leave a feedback to me below and thank you for reading this blog. My advance independence day greetings to all friends.

Srinivas Krothapally.

( alias Te-Sri)

Photo by Ms Sudha, Fresh Choice Team

2000 inr + Shipping

2000 inr+ shipping



2000 inr+ shipping

2000 inr+ shipping


2000 inr+ shipping


2000 inr+ shipping


2000 inr+ shipping


2000 inr+ shipping


2000 inr+ shipping


2000 inr+ shipping

My Guru - Ramachandra Reddy,

Mappeti Ramachandra Reddy, also known as Ramachandriah, was not just the most skilful artist of Kalamkari that I have come across, but also served as a preceptor for me in art. He gave me sound training and confidence to ground myself in the art field, and helped me explore a unique self-expression by exploring the symbiosis of eastern and western art ideologies.

A recent photo

A young man from Telangana by the name of Prabhakara Sastry (an art student and budding writer) introduced me to him first, possibly in the year 1996 at Kalakshetra, Chennai where Mr. Ramachandriah was working. I remember Prabhakara Sastri telling Mr. Ramachandriah (Mr “R”, hereafter) that I am an enterprising person and my association with him would be beneficial for him in many ways. But the reverse of what the young lad from Telangana has said has taken place. It is I who have immensely benefited, and not my "future" guru."

Me with Guru, 1996(?)

 

A few months prior to meeting "R" at Kalakshetra, I was as a student of fine art at the same institution. However, I became disengaged from the school and felt disheartened as I found it unstimulating and lacking in thought-provoking interactions with both the student body and the faculty. My relationship with Mr. “R “endured for almost thirty years until his passing a few years ago. Mr. “R” not only taught me the intricacies of Indian art, but he has also been a 'bridge' man between rural Andhra and me, a city bred art student. He has discussed with me not just the technique of art, but also the cultural and anthropological aspects related to local myths, folklore, and many other varied things which I lacked knowledge of due to my urban upbringing.

Receiving award from Hon. Minister

at art emporium

Mr. ‘R’ studied only up to middle school at Srikalahasti, where his father managed a small petty shop in the village. Not long ago, a government-run Kalamkari training cum production center was commenced at Srikalahasti by the initiative of late Mrs. Kamaladevi Chattopadhyaya and a modernist artist, Late Mr.Kora Ramamurti, who evinced great interest in the revival of fading arts of Andhra Desa. Young Ramachandriah joined this institute as a trainee and later started working in the production center. Kalamkari became a highly sought-after craft by urban men and women due to its use of natural pigments. Hundreds of workers started appearing in the town of Srikalahasti. This town is now the hub of Kalamkari crafts; however, the ancient methods have been given up.

 

In spite of the booming trade of Kalamkari, and being an exceptionally talented artist, Mr "R" wasn’t earning adequately. He remained poor and oppressed. He was considered the “king” of Kalamkari but remained the poorest among his colleagues and was accorded the lowest respect. Urban men and women bought his stuff with joy, but they habitually refused to pay him adequately.

He was an epitome of kindness, modesty, and was always willing to teach others his expertise, yet hardly anyone utilized his talent. His sense of humour is unparalleled and often entertains others by stomach bursting laughter through his innocent quips. Inspired by religious doctrines, he gave up his non-vegetarian diet since his teenage years. He was a teetotaller and did not chew or smoke. He always spoke the truth.

He suffered several long-time health setbacks such as hypertension and diabetes because of which his production was abysmally low. Also because of these reasons, his customers and very erudite employers abused him as he could not meet their deadlines or targets. During the latter part of his life, I had the privilege of acting as a commission–free liaison agent for him.

He had strained relationships with spouses.

His ‘Buddha Charitra’ panel (a narrative picture of Buddha's life) is among the most coveted possessions of the British queen. I don’t want to be more verbose, and it is literally beyond my capacity to comment on his artistic merits; hence, I wish to conclude this brief write-up. This naïve and innocent craftsman died a few years ago, leaving a huge void in the art field and an irreparable loss for our countrymen and also for people like me who are his true and genuine admirers.

Thank you for reading.

KSV