March 14, 2014

The decorated bull and the musician

Acrylic on canvas 24 by 32 inches
On every Friday, this man comes to our door with his bull decorated with bright clothes, beads, laces and bells.Very colorful inspiration to paint. He is a musician, goes from door to door, playing music on his instrument and asks for money. He usually plays local film songs, mostly with off key notes, but I can recognize the song at least. The bull usually looks tired, may be the paraphernalia is too heavy to be carried or may be he is not being fed to full tummy. The bull is called Kole Basava in the local language and is trained to nod his head for an yes or a no! That reminds me of my childhood school days when I was a shy little girl not opening her mouth in the classroom come what may.The teacher when trying to make a comversation with me got only my nods and she used to tell me "dont nod your head like a Kole Basava!"
Hope you enjoy my version of Kole Basava!
Posted by at
Labels: , ,

22 comments:

  1. Paper rainbowMarch 14, 2014 at 1:24 PM

    I love the limited colour palette of blues and orange and the design on the man's robe, this is very striking.

    ReplyDelete
  2. KParthasarathiMarch 14, 2014 at 1:56 PM

    Extremely nice painting.I was attracted to the door the type found in villages.We call them 'boom boom madu' and the man will make horrible music in the traditional nadaswaram pipe .He will talk to the bull that will nod its head as if in answer.Such scenes have become almost extinct these days

    ReplyDelete
  3. Autumn LeavesMarch 14, 2014 at 4:46 PM

    Wow, Padmaja! What a gorgeous painting, so full of color and history! I am so saddened for the bull, to be quite honest. But your version of your weekly visitor is amazing and one I'd be proud to own (had I money, which these days I do not! LOL).

    I also wanted to thank you for your constant support and for your prayers. Sounds as though you and I walk a similar path, though thousands of miles apart. Now...if I just had your talent!!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Meera RaoMarch 14, 2014 at 7:28 PM

    Padmaja, this is beautiful ! I really like the colors and the stylized way you have painted the basava and his master! the texture is awesome too. -- you should be very proud of this.

    ReplyDelete
  5. RobinMarch 14, 2014 at 7:42 PM

    You are a wonderful story teller, padmaja. This painting soothes the soul and the cool blues speak to me even if the music is off.

    ReplyDelete
  6. AzraMarch 14, 2014 at 11:40 PM

    Ahhh Padmaja, what a sweet story! This painting is wonderfully rich with colour, culture and artistic flare! I absolutely love everything about it. : )

    ReplyDelete
  7. JaneMarch 15, 2014 at 2:50 AM

    This is really awesome and somewhat exotic, such gorgeous colors, there's a beautiful mood to this painting, and I loved the story :-) xx

    ReplyDelete
  8. hmuxoMarch 15, 2014 at 7:12 AM

    This is fantastic, Padmaja! The colors in his face is beautiful and I love the texture in the door. It looked awesome when I zoomed on it. And of course, an interesting post, as always.....

    ReplyDelete
  9. Lisa Graham March 15, 2014 at 7:30 AM

    I didn't notice the bull until I enlarged the photo...it looked like his sleeve! This is very colorful and full of life and I really enjoyed the story to go with it! We don't get any door to door musicians here...how wonderful.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Darla McDowellMarch 15, 2014 at 7:34 AM

    I really love the mood of this painting, too. Beautiful work, Padmaja!

    ReplyDelete
  11. Rama AnanthMarch 15, 2014 at 6:03 PM

    It is a very pretty painting padmaja. We have to just look around a little bit, and we find inspiration just at our door step.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Jean LurssenMarch 15, 2014 at 10:49 PM

    The painting is as colorful and wonderful as the story behind it.

    ReplyDelete
  13. irinapicturesMarch 16, 2014 at 12:01 AM

    The painting is so harmonious in its color and composition.The story is a page from the poem of life.

    ReplyDelete
  14. VictoriaMarch 16, 2014 at 5:12 AM

    So very beautiful my friend!!..,magnificent colors and atmospheric energy....and such a bewildering and beautiful painting..gorgeous and expressive...I love it!! Always inspiring and I love the enchanting story!
    Victoria

    ReplyDelete
  15. AnonymousMarch 18, 2014 at 9:04 AM

    Oh wow. I love this painting. I am a pushover when it comes to an animal and the fact you have an Indian man and his music featured just makes it all the better. I really like how you blennded those soft pastel colors in the light blue and then popped the whole thing with the oranges for bull, horn and turban. This is really good!

    ReplyDelete
  16. Krishna/കൃഷ്ണMarch 18, 2014 at 10:20 AM

    Beautiful painting...

    thanks

    ReplyDelete
  17. hw (hallie) farberMarch 19, 2014 at 6:50 AM

    I could look at this for a long time--so much to see. Beautiful work.

    ReplyDelete
  18. http://carolking.wordpress.comMarch 20, 2014 at 1:20 AM

    This is a magical painting! I love the blues and oranges in this painting. Everything is decorated so beautifully. And the door in the background beckons me to enter.

    ReplyDelete
  19. A Sunny Yellow WindowMarch 22, 2014 at 12:16 AM

    The blue and orange combo is a stunner. Love this painting!!

    ReplyDelete
  20. Claire Beadon CarnellMarch 23, 2014 at 3:02 AM

    This is stunning! I love the colors and the design of the whole piece.

    ReplyDelete
  21. AKMarch 29, 2014 at 10:42 PM

    This is just amazing Padmaja. The colors are so vibrant. A collectors' piece!

    ReplyDelete
  22. ColleenAugust 26, 2015 at 6:05 PM

    You are amazing! I love your work!!

    ReplyDelete

Thank you for taking time to look at this post. Your feed back is valuable to me and truly appreciated :-)

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)