decorative paintings

Incorporating traditional Arabic decorative elements, Dr. Sneh Gangal in India paints this excellent composition. She works in the traditional style of kalamkari painting to create the scene in acrylics on canvas. The ancient art form was originally executed on textiles.

Indian artist Vidushini portrays a loving mother and joyful baby elephant strolling in the gardens using the Madhubani style of painting. Madhubani art began in the village of Maithili, of the Bihar state, originally created by women on the walls of their home. This style evolved from elaborate home decorations to becoming important aspects of festivals and eventually appealing to lovers of art both within India and internationally. The painting is signed by Vidushini, who specializes in Madhubani styles at this time and even had her artwork selected to be the cover of Delhi University's textbook, Indian History and Culture.

India's acclaimed Bharti Dayal illustrates her own interpretation of the enchantment between Hinduism's God and Goddess of love in her painting 'Soulmate - Radha Krishna'. Kirshna and Radha come together under the blue skies of the heavens, with Radha attracting the heart of Radha. Enchanting the Supreme God himself, Rahda reaches the highest level of esteem within Hindu mythology, presiding as Goddess of All. Painted with his arm around Radha while possessing a flute, Krishna appears enamored, young and finely decorated with peacock feathers and floral bands that symbolize the early years of his divine descent from Vishnu. Radha, flanked by Krishna's blue tapestry, exercises her supreme powers of enchantment to merge her own red drapery to create a collective purple, seen below her chin, symbolizing their mutual synthesis into Radha-Krishna.

"Madhubani paintings are in fact a simplistic manifestation of the philosophical heights achieved by Indian civilization for the universal power of love, longing and peace; the quest of all beings," Dayal says.