Desert II 36x48”, Oil on canvas

Before it was dubbed the land of romance for tourism promotion, Rajasthan was better known as the desert home of proud and fiercely independent people. Not even the might of the mughals who annexed most of the subcontinent over 400 years could tame the Rajputs; Akbar, the third mughal finally made peace with them through marital alliance. When a Rajput citadel was threatened with defeat, the hair raising ritual of “Jauhar” was performed - men dressed for battle and left the fort in a battled crazed horde determine to kill or be killed. The entire female population flung themselves en masse in a gigantic pyre in order to defend their honor from the conqueror.

Rajput pride and strength are palpable in this picture. I want to thank Nevil Zaveri for allowing me to use his incredible photo. Thanks Paula, for suggesting that I document the development of this painting. It’s been slow due to my new job and because it was just hard and I kept making changes to the backdrop. Anyway, here it is finally…