Shhh

It was her funeral-she was a good soul, even jovial until the end fighting her cancer.

The dastoor(priest) stood there chanting their prayers into the holy fire.One couldnt see their lips as they wore a mouth covering to protect themselves from the intense smoke.

But further behind him-stood she. She the wife of a priest. She who silently mouthed the same prayer but from holier lips.

The whole crowd shut their eyes and concentrated into the fire-except my eyes which didnt leave her face even once.

It is unusual for a member of her community to not be fair, most of the community is light skinned, however she was closer to wheatish-olive. But as the intensity of the fire grew, the chants grew louder and louder, I saw her face radiate a white light. A light like I had never seen.She left the room immediately.

I wanted to go upto to her and ask her, and yet my instinct told me otherwise, and my heart screamed for me to stay put. A few moments later she returned-wheatish olive.

I confided in a close relative, and told her what I saw. Her eyes widened and turned to me,
"You saw!" she said, and then added firmly 'one never discusses ones spiritual power, when you have to learn it-it will come to you, but donot ask.'

My eyes were filled with tears, because I was so close to finding a source and yet now an eternal wall had been built. Because what I truly want is to radiate more light than she did.

Her voice softened 'Its called khote (khot-teh) which means Aura, when one reaches a higher spiritual side. But we donot speak about it'

We donot speak about it. So shhhh.

Transcending Space

It was a hot day, but I felt refreshed almost as soon as I entered the room. There were straw mats laid all over, spiritual music played softly in the background and one could hear the melodious sound of flowing water. The walls of the room covered with art works depicted the elements of nature in tune with the Gods and Godesses.

Satish Gupta's latest collection-Cosmic Matrix II transcends his previous.

Right from the tranquility of Lord Buddha reaching nirvan, the fiery Kali in splashing reds,the holy calligraphically written Arabic scrpit, to the radiating blue shivlingam, Satish Gupta has encaptured the Gods inner force of Space, Fire and Air.

Personal favourite:Transcending Space-A 68" X 48" painting of Lord Buddha in hues of grey.

Inspired from the sculptures at Bayon, the painting depicts the now decayed sculptures test of time by painted cracks all across the face. On a closer look one can see the eye balls of Lord Buddha facing upwards towards the chakra.

Can be viewed at Jehangir Art Gallery, Kala Ghoda, Bombay.

Price Range: INR 400,000-18,00,000.