When truant clouds wreak havoc

The sun is beating down hard on a city that is sweltering and seeming more listless with each passing day.  Beads of sweat organise themselves into a millions of rivulets that run down my spine unabashed, they leave a city feeling stifled as each droplet on a million faces catch the last rays of sunshine as night falls. All I can do is helplessly gaze at a sunset sea, as the last rays fall unceremoniously into a seemingly calm sea, only to send it into a shudder of glittering shivers. I begin to curse myself for ever complaining about the monsoons, the floods, the clattering of windowpanes as the rain pelts down and shamelessly robs me of a good nights sleep.

I've always had a love-hate relationship with the monsoons, I dread the dampness, the longer hours I need to work on my artwork to make sure they dry in time. The filth that finds it way up from open drains when the city goes under, which I must add, is a promise Mumbai always manages to keep. But I also find myself each year, towards the fag end of summer, earning for the rains in an attempt to bring some respite from the harsh summer sun and relentless humidity.

A couple of weeks ago the sultry silence of summer was broken by blots of lightning and thundering clouds, as  I lay in bed listening to natures delightful lullaby I felt a dash of excitement and anticipation, the monsoons were near at last. I suddenly loved the monsoons and couldn't wait for the city to smell, feel and evolve into something less dusty and sweaty!

Every monsoon I love how the leaves on the trees turn from wilted shades of brown to brilliant greens. I love the ever changing sky filled with sometimes heavy, dark clouds about to burst and shower us with abundance and sometimes scattered with little grey clouds playing hide and seek, almost waiting in the wings to pounce on unsuspecting people below. I love making a hundred cups of tea and sipping on them as I read a book and slowly allow myself to transcend into another worlds.

I think most of all, I love the changing of seasons, it's something I look forward to, as I sit by my window trying to catch the small signs nature throws our way.

Sea-breeze and salty skin

Sunkissed beaches, sea-sprayed hair and a whole lot of fun in the sun. Last month was packed with a whole bunch of work, new projects and new collaborations and a much needed break. Like most of my travel plans this one was an impulsive decision, a relatively short break when you are in the thick of things and you feel like there's a cacophony of thoughts and ideas bouncing around in your head a breaking routine is the perfect remedy.

When Goa comes calling we must be polite and pay heed, so I scooted away for five whole days of blissful respite from the rigour of everyday work! I've had this conversation with so many people I've lost count - how taking a short break and more importantly breaking the routine can bring clarity, new perspectives and reenergise your batteries like nothing else can.

Five days filled with long bike rides, singing under the stars, late night musings, dips in the seas and chilled beers on the beach and I'm back to my brushes and paints with wonderful memories and experiences and so many new ideas to sketch and paint!!

Two spanking new product ranges will be out soon, details in my next post!!

It pays to get lost to find such a beautiful hidden treasure

5am walks on the beach to catch this beautiful sunsets

Sinking our teeth into this one

Sunshine shack doggies

My partner in crime, one of the most fun travel buddies

Do the twist!

Dipping my toes in the sands of time

Spent the afternoon rummaging through old books and new and came across this beautiful poem by Sylvia Plath. There's a part of me that totally relates to this poem, I feel many a time, in hindsight I've been walking around with tinted glasses on, I never really see the whole picture in it's true shades, often till it's to late.

Mad Girl's Love Song

"I shut my eyes and all the world drops dead;
I lift my lids and all is born again.
(I think I made you up inside my head.)

The stars go waltzing out in blue and red,
And arbitrary blackness gallops in:
I shut my eyes and all the world drops dead.

I dreamed that you bewitched me into bed
And sung me moon-struck, kissed me quite insane.
(I think I made you up inside my head.)

God topples from the sky, hell's fires fade:
Exit seraphim and Satan's men:
I shut my eyes and all the world drops dead.

I fancied you'd return the way you said,
But I grow old and I forget your name.
(I think I made you up inside my head.)

I should have loved a thunderbird instead;
At least when spring comes they roar back again.
I shut my eyes and all the world drops dead.
(I think I made you up inside my head.)"

Inhale...Hold...Exhale!

 

Inhale the future, exhale the past!

Make the time to breathe deeply, relax your mind and body.

And don't forget to make yourself a pipping hot cup of tea :)

Cloudbursts of creativity!

With the monsoon winds breathing life into the city, as dusty leaves now glisten with sparkling raindrops, like strings of pearls dancing to the melodious pitter patter. The rains have a wonderfully cleansing effect on me. The rains to me, are a heady mix of the scent of flowers in bloom, the wafting smell of freshly brewed tea and mouth watering chocolate chip cookies that keep me company as I allow myself to let the beauty this season brings be all encompassing.

Every monsoon I make it a point, to step put of the house and get completely drenched in the downpour, there's nothing like looking up at the skies as they burst and fill you  and the earth with the promise of new life and possibilities. I've you've never done this I really recommend you do.

As the sound of raindrops sing songs of their travels across oceans and seas, I can blissfully retreat into my haven with friends, hot pakodas and laughter filled evenings or on days where I seek solitude, pick up a book and whisk myself into magical lands and wonderful tales all waiting to be uncovered.

My Slice of heaven!!

Theres something magical  and soothing about growing plants in your home,I remember a time where I was obsessed with it,I'd even have plant growing competitions with other friends who also shared the same interest we'd exchange samplings and seeds and tips even[but never really giving away our secrets,silly little fools we were]

I love everything about gardening,the mixing of the soil,the feel of the coarse earth on your bare hands,the smell of parched soil when you water it,the potting of the plants or seeds,pruning and watching them grow.They feel like my little babies who I help survive the turmoils of a  chaotic city that has no space for them.

Being an artist I love finding unique containers that i could paint on or unique objects that i could use as pots.Here are some of the pics of my home when i lived in Bandra.A lot has changed since I moved homes plant-wise but I still have a thriving garden,just need to work a little more on the growing from seed bit of it :)