sha_creativeescape

How many mandalas is too many mandalas?

On a flight and restless, just create a mandala 😊

Got introduced to the song and ended up creating something as the song played!

Trying to get myself to be more spontaneous and allow it to flow. May not make sense but rather trying to be in the moment.

Thank you for introducing the music

Yes, we're still here, still doodling, still lettering!

A little wisdom from 'The Rescuers', together with Köln's Hohenzollern Bridge, coloured by the locks of many romantics

Of messy feelings and floating thoughts

| N A Y A G I - Panchali |

Panchali, or Draupadi, is one of the few women in our Hindu mythology who spoke her mind in the world of men. Though many life incidences happened without her choice or consent, she was resilient and determined to fight for what was right.

Married to the 5 Pandava brothers, in the Mahabratha, in a game of dice the eldest Pandava Yudishtra lost all wealth, kingdom, his brothers, himself and finally Panchali.

Panchali was dragged by her hair and humiliated in front of an entire court, with an attempt to disrobe her. On the realization that her husbands were unable and unwilling to come to her rescue, Panchali started praying to Krishna to protect her and a miracle occured. Instead of being stripped naked, Panchali's sari kept getting extended as the layers kept unravelling and she was protected from being humiliated in front of the entire congregation. Her attempted disrobing is one of the main catalyst for the Kurukshetra, the war in Mahabharata.

| N A Y A G I - Kannagi |

Kannagi was known for her bravery, righteousness, and sense of justice. Her story is a symbol of a woman's strength, resilience, and determination to fight for what is right.

The silambam, or anklet are a testament to her rage. When her husband was wrongly accused of stealing the queen's anklet and executed without trial, Kannagi went to seek justice.

Her fierce anger and burning desire for justice consumed everything in its path, like a raging fire. The flames that burst from hercurse spread throughout the kingdom (Madurai), symbolizing the power and intensity of her emotions.

| N A Y A G I - Kundavai|

Kundavai, a woman ahead of her times. Neither a damsel in distress, nor a warrior princess, she was strategic thinker, who dared to step out of the societal norms placed on women during her time.

It was her wit, intelligence and diplomacy that safeguarded the Chola dynasty from manipulation and enemy manoeuvre - like a chess player. You can know more about her through Kalki Krishnamurthy's Ponniyan Selvan! (Yes Mani Ratnam's PS 2 comes out tomorrow hehe)

One of my favourite designs to work on, very happy with how the colours turned out 💙

We went from this to that (swipe to see the final design)

| N A Y A G I - Savitri |

Savitri's husband was destined to die within a year of their marriage and while everyone around her advised her to not go ahead with the wedding, Savitri was unswerving in her resolve. Savitri's determination and love propelled her to follow the God of Death, doing the impossible and winning back her husband's soul.

An ode to her spirit, her devotion, her unwavering love and faith for fighting forces of nature!

How it began, to where it reached.

| N A Y A G I - Sita |

Sita, daughter of Bhuma Devi (mother Earth), known for her courage and her resilience in the face of adversity. She has a strong sense of individuality, holding quiet strength within her.

Like the earth, she endures and holds steady through thick and thin, blooming, emerging.

From where it began to where it reached

| N A Y A G I - Penmayin Azhagu |

It's been a little over a week since Tattva's production Nayagi, in conjunction with the Tamil Language Festival 2023.

Nayagi explored the beauty, strength, courage, resilience and perseverance of 5 female characters from our Indian Tamil texts and mythology - namely Sita, Savitri, Kundavai, Kannagi and Panchali.

A big big thank you to and for entrusting me with their vision and helping me push my own creativity. It's always interesting to see what they bring to the table for me to mandala :)

Over the course of this week, I'll be sharing each of these designs and the thoughts behind them!

Do let me know what you think 💙

Nayagi (Title): Handwritten by yours truly
Penmayin Azhagu: Naayakan by

✨ Pop-Up Time ✨

After a long long hiatus, we're back!

As part of Tamil Language Festival, will be presenting Nayagi, a dance theatre production celebrating women from our Indian literature.

I have had the pleasure of being part of this project both as a performer and a designer, working together with them to bring their thoughts into visuals.

I'll be having a small booth tomorrow at the venue sharing some mandala goodness. Do come down and support us!

Monday blues

When Arijit Singh tugs and pulls the right strings, you just have to draw your feelings out both literally and metaphorically 💙

Yesterday, I influenced a kid on the train to draw instead of watching random videos 😅 The girl really wanted me to notice her, noticing me hahah! Their innocent intrusion is quite endearing (on good days hehe).

I couldn't decide which I vibed with. What do you think?

Also, I know I have been sporadic with my sharing, life has been going in different directions. The Creative Escape is taking various forms 😊

Of messy thoughts and drawing your feelings out..with some AR Rahman for company.

Going back to why I started drawing mandalas in the first place. It was a way for me to express when I didn't have the words. Got better at expressing along the way, but sometimes, some things just need to be out in the visual...

It's been a hot minute! Mandalas are slowly coming back, finding inspiration and motivation in moments...

Inspired by the Art Skin on Monuments projections displayed on the facade of Victoria Theatre

When light streaks in

Happy Vijayadasmi!

Navarathri - the nine nights celebrating 9 different forms of Goddess Durga. The festival culminates on the 10th day, as Vijayadasmi or Dussehra.

While some commemorate the victory of Goddess Durga over the buffalo-faced demon Mahishasura, it is also associated with the epic battle between Rama and Ravana. Ultimately, it's a day to celebrate and remind ourselves that good always wins over evil (internal/external).

It is also a day that is considered auspicious to learn something new and pay respects to our teachers and gurus.

With this, I conclude the Navarathri 2022 series. Every year, I offer my prayers through dance, this year It has been immensely meaningful to meditate upon the goddess through this art form too. May the Feminine energy continue to guide us in our journey of fighting our inner battles.

Siddhidatri is depicted to be wearing a red-colored saree and riding over a lion. She holds a lotus and shankha in her left hand, a chakra and a bludgeon in the right hand. She sits on a Lotus flower. On this day, the Goddess is also worshipped as Saraswati, the goddess of wisdom and learning
Navarathri - nine nights and ten days celebrating and honouring the Divine Feminine energy, as she helps us remove the darkness and ignorance within us.

May the Feminine energy guide us in our journey of fighting our inner battles.

Mahagauri, symbol of peace, serenity and tranquility. Riding a bull, holding a Trishul and Abhaya mudra on the right and Damaru and Varada mudra on the left.
Navarathri - nine nights and ten days celebrating and honouring the Divine Feminine energy, as she helps us remove the darkness and ignorance within us.

May the Feminine energy guide us in our journey of fighting our inner battles.

Kaalaratri, known for dispelling ignorance and removing darkness from the universe.

This avatar is depicted as a destructive form of the Goddess. Seen riding a dark black donkey, H
Her complexion is dark black, her hands are in Abhaya and Varada mudra, yeilding a sword and an iron hook in her left hand.
Navarathri - nine nights and ten days celebrating and honouring the Divine Feminine energy, as she helps us remove the darkness and ignorance within us.

May the Feminine energy guide us in our journey of fighting our inner battles.

6 Katyayani, one of the most violent forms of Goddess Durga. She rides a lion, carrying a lotus flower and sword on the left side and Abhaya and Varada Mudras on the right. Maa Katyayani is considered the destroyer of evil.
Navarathri - nine nights and ten days celebrating and honouring the Divine Feminine energy, as she helps us remove the darkness and ignorance within us.

May the Feminine energy guide us in our journey of fighting our inner battles.

Skandamata, the mother of Lord Kartikeya or Skanda, riding a lion, with 4 arms, holding her six-faced baby in one, 2 lotuses and Abhaya hasta.
Navarathri - nine nights and ten days celebrating and honouring the Divine Feminine energy, as she helps us remove the darkness and ignorance within us.

May the Feminine energy guide us in our journey of fighting our inner battles.

Kushmanda, the one who has said to have created the world with her Divine smile and is the source of energy and light!
Navarathri - nine nights and ten days celebrating and honouring the Divine Feminine energy, as she helps us remove the darkness and ignorance within us.

May the Feminine energy guide us in our journey of fighting our inner battles.

Chandraghanta, the one who has a half-moon shaped like a bell. With ten hands and 3 eyes, she is said to be always ready for war - removing the difficulties of the sadhaka (devotee)
Navarathri - nine nights and ten days celebrating and honouring the Divine Feminine energy, as she helps us remove the darkness and ignorance within us.

May the Feminine energy guide us in our journey of fighting our inner battles.

Maa Brahmacharini, seen holding a kamandalam (water pot) and a jappa mala (rudraksh rosary), draped entirely in white.
Navarathri - nine nights and ten days celebrating and honouring the Divine Feminine energy, as she helps us remove the darkness and ignorance within us.

May the Feminine energy guide us in our journey of fighting our inner battles.

Happy Navarathri!

Shailputri, daughter of the mountains seated on a bull carrying a trident and a lotus in hand.
Navarathri - nine nights and ten days celebrating and honouring the Divine Feminine energy, as she helps us remove the darkness and ignorance within us

May the Feminine energy guide us in our journey of fighting our inner battles.

| C O L O U R |

Not my strongest suite. In fact I struggle to put it out into a visual, I see lines and curves more clearly than colour. But colour is everywhere in life, and what's life without colour, right?

There's something satisfying about seeing dots take shape on a canvas - even if it's digital. Dotting has taken over my life currently 😅

"On Wednesdays we wear pink!" Happy Wednesday, friends!

We still have a few of our Mothers' Day packs left. It comes with a pouch, a macrame keychain and a greeting card (different designs available).

Mother's can never have too many pouches and the things they put inside hehe! Get them this little gift of love from and myself. Let's be honest, they are the true boss ladies in our lives 😊

Limited packs available, DM to place your orders!