My rural roots gave me easy access to nature. The palatial haveli I resided in was frequented by cows and birds. So since childhood, I had a profound love for animals. The animated movements of their heads, the occasional nods, and wiggles made me smile with joy. In my conscious mind, they created a world where fairy tales seemed real and the world was a much happier place.
Years later when Wildlife Trust of India approached me to participate in the Gaj Mahotsav, I finally got a chance to pay an ode to one of the magnificent creatures to walk on earth – The Elephant. As a child, I had seen hordes of pachyderms in the wild. And their ideal nature to stay sober attracted me to these gentle giants.
To me, the elephant personified a happy-go-lucky individual with an immense sense of humor. Someone who is happy to be in the wild in the company of his siblings. All it needs is its daily dose of food and fellow tuskers to play with.
Though the caricature of an elephant I had painted in my mind was seemingly simple, once I came to Mumbai I realized the level of reverence it commands as a deity. It is a subject of faith and ostentation both.
Gajodhar on a splendid walk was a fusion of these two different observations. It was made using corrugated cardboard, a simple material we come across in our day to day life. The first step was to create an elephantine form using a paper mache. Once the form was ready I used small pieces of corrugated cardboard inside out to give it an ornate look. Likewise, the head and tail were adorned with layers of peeled cardboard. Gajodhar was ready for a walk and to make it rich well-known artist Brinda Miller added her magic to it. The saddle cloth was painted by Ms. Miller using different colors. The final form of the pachyderm was akin to a royal on the move.
Gaj Mahotsav in a way allowed me to pay an ode to the elephant and also promote awareness about its conservation. I was happy to be a part of it. On this note, I would also like to wish my readers a “Happy Ganesh Mahotsav”