Description
This painting portrays Vasant Ritu (Spring Season) in which the branches of Butea Monosperma flowers (flame of the forest or टेसू ) in the jungle are looking like flames of fire, and the fallen flowers in the jungle covering the earth are looking like young bride covering herself in red saree (a traditional Indian dress). Some 1500 years ago, the great ancient poet Kaalidaas wrote a lyrical poem named Ritu-Sanhaar in Sanskrit language. Ritu-Sanhaar means description of seasons. Kaalidaas divided the year in six seasons. Season means Ritu. the six seasons are Greeshm Ritu (4th may-30th june), Varsha Ritu (1st july-12th sept), Sharad Ritu (13th sept-26th oct), Hemant Ritu (27th oct-24th dec), Shishir Ritu (25th dec-4th mar), and Vasant Ritu (5th mar-3rd may). Over the years I have recorded my observations of nature including flowers, trees, birds, festivals and cultural activities in India. Paintings in Ritu-Sanhaar series are portrayal of Kaalidaas's writings and my observations.