The calling of a superpower

Having always been drawn to spiritual painting, it’s no surprise that the latest offering by this artist is centered on the Gayatri Mantra. Ghayathri Desai explains how she was drawn to the subject. “I had the text on the Gayatri Mantras for the longest time lying on my table side. Once I thought of compiling them, I did a lot of research before translating them into paintings,” she says.

The result is her exhibition — 24 Types of Gayatri Mantra’s — that’s on display till June 30, at the DD Neroy Gallery, Chowpatty and showcases the various kinds that most people are not aware of. “Very few people bother reading religious texts and so this is a way to represent them that’s pleasing to the eye,” adds Ghayathri. The Beej mantra of the said God is represented in each of the 24 paintings along with the paraphernalia pertaining to it. There’s also a symbolic representation of Vishnu.

“I want people to know the different invocations for the different Gods. For example, Lakshmi Gayatri mantra is ideal to invoke the blessings of Lakshmiji in your home, while Durga is for protection and so on. Each painting has been done with lots of prayers. The entire series was completed in four months, the credit doesn’t go to me but the supreme power that literally held the brush and directed me,” she says.

The artist adds that she hopes these paintings (acrylic on canvas) go to many homes or meditation centres and brings positive energies to whatever space they occupy. The colour palette is bright with blues, orange, and pinks all of which she says were chosen spontaneously. “This collection for me is the calling of a superpower. When I paint, it’s a form of meditation and I feel these works will do much more than just beautify homes,” she adds.