Tree House Calcutta 1966

Just came across another photo of my tree house in Calcutta this is taken a lot nearer than the one posted in August 2014.

G D Paulraj - Planting Rice

I returned from a three week vacation to India on 7 December, it was the first time I had been back to India since 1974 some forty years ago.  While touring in south India I came across a framed painting by G D Paulraj resting on the floor of a museum in Pondicherry.  The museum contents were meant to have come from the former French Governor's house.  As Pondicherry got independence in 1954 this could be a guide to the age of the painting.

I talked to some other visitors about the Raj family but none of them knew about the artists.  Certainly the subject matter reflected what was happening in the fields today.  It was the only 'Raj' painting I saw on my travels.  I attach below  a photo I took of workers in the fields in November 2014 in Tamil Nadu, but they were not planting rice.

Mahabalipuram extract from cine film taken in 1962

Extract from a cine film taken in 1962.  This shows my father and I looking at the rock carvings at Mahabalipuram in Madras.  Not sure I have managed to upload a movie before.  Please note there is no sound.

I recently visited India and tried to take some photos in the same locations I will be posting these in the next few weeks.  Some 52 years apart a lot of time and very much busier as well.

G D Paulraj - Working in the fields

This painting was recently in the exhibition to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the birth of Paul Raj.  It depicts a group of women working in the fields it is not very different to one hanging on the wall of my daughter's house.

The colours must have been distorted over time or by the camera, they seem a little forced?  The earlier posting can be found here. (click on link)

G D Paulraj - After the Task

This recently appeared for sale and the vendor called it 'After the Tusk'? This was a little strange I think it might be called 'After the Task' which would make more sense it is a nice painting.

G D Thyagaraj - Market Screens

This is the second painting by Thyagaraj that I was sent by Margaret, this shows a very nice colourful market with screens in the building which must have been difficult to paint?

Again this painting seems to be in very good condition for the age and has good strong colours. Thanks for sharing Margaret.  It is also worth noting that this week my page view counter clicked past 200,000 not a big number compared with some sites but still interesting.

G D Thyagaraj - Collecting water from the tank

I was recently contacted by a lady called Margaret who lived in India between 1947 and 1965 her parents were working there.  She owns two paintings by Thyagaraj which were acquired by her parents.  She spent some time in Calcutta and recently came across my blog and contacted me by email.  I am adding the first of her two paintings today showing several women collecting water from a tank and climbing a steep flight of stairs.  It is signed in the lower right hand corner.

This is a nice colourful painting having preserved its colours after so many years.  Thanks to Margaret for letting me add it to the blog.