Art forms, a way of life

My name is Tanuja, and I’m an aspiring Data Scientist beginning to build my career in the same direction. I was delighted when I got this platform to express my views on art and talk about what it meant to me.

Being an enthusiast in different art forms and wanting to explore in every possible light, I have been practicing classical music – vocal and instrumental (Veena) for a decade now and will be completing my senior grade examinations this year. I also love travelling, trekking, swimming, reading and writing. Chess and badminton are my pass-time sports. 

I found myself interested in art and craft during my school days and started creating some, including a few pieces in oil painting. Towards the end of my master’s course, I developed interest towards classical art and started off with Mandalas, also inspired by Rashmiandi and a classmate of mine who always doodled in class. 

Music, Mandala and I

It has been 6 months now since I’ve started this new learning and have always been mesmerized by how all these art forms are threaded together. I have been experiencing a similar learning approach and also observed similar outcomes from Classical music, Classical dance and Classical art. All of them start off with a very structured foundation and patterns which are then combined to bring in wonders. 

I see the basic grid formation method in Mandala art as learning the Swaras (notes) with their places, and distances from each other, in Classical music. Whereas in Classical dance, the Mandala grids talk to me about how the ADavus (basic steps) are formed and used as pillars for the steps ahead. Laying layouts in Mandalas is an important part of conceptualization of the ideas which is equivalent to picking up a Raaga (scale/tone) and a ThaLa (beats) in music or Rasa (Expression) in dance.

Keeping these rules and methods in mind, we create our own art, which we call as ‘Manodharma’ (creation of the self or mind’s creation) when done in music. They all come together to produce masterpieces of all the art forms, serving a wide range of audience and a variety of options to choose from. 

Being an Artist

I define Art as the language of my heart. I consider it as different forms of expression, where a language seems to fail. With a good amount of practice in all of these, I believe that all the art forms bring about mental peace and discipline within one’s self.

Admiration of art also teaches us different walks of life such as gratitude and appreciation. Artistes of all the forms are looked up to by the fellow artistes and there has always been an evolution through exchange of ideas where everything comes together in one place. The art forms together invoke all our senses and heal the soul to its best form. They have helped me find my own self in all the dimensions and discover my untold stories, by empowering my soul.

Sharing a few glimpses of my classical music and classical art journey.

Swastika

I started my own page on Instagram in February 2020 inspired by many artists and friends, to journal my artwork and push myself for better creations. The page is named “Swastika” which depicts a geometrical figure and an ancient religious icon, used as a symbol of divinity and spirituality. 

Find my Instagram link below and check it out for more work on Mandalas and classical art. 

Swastika

A few lines from my Artsy heart

In search of words, is when your brain tweaks

Loss of expression is when the art speaks!

Art bridges your soul to many roads,

Both travelled and untravelled

It pushes you for more, speaks to you

In its own language, applauds you from within.

Art serves all 

It sings for the blind, dances for the deaf, 

Art becomes the artist who serves the soul of the self.

Never has art seen a failure, never has it fallen in despair.

It only teaches you love, and to always create with flair.

Art is a discipline which is practiced and cherished.

Its creation is one of the paths of meditation, always nourished.

– Tanuja