“Sparrows visiting the Baby Bath”- Rasa Masterpiece

1.200,00 

Rasa Masterpiece “Sparrows visiting the Baby Bath” – Rasa Masterpiece by Mumbiram

A Flagship of Rasa Renaissance

  • 100 x 150 cm

Collector’s Item

High Quality Canvas Print

individually signed by Mumbiram

Description

Collector’s Item Canvas Print of Original Masterpiece “Sparrows visiting the Baby Bath” by Mumbiram

It was all there all the time but was not noticed nor celebrated like the proverbial peacock dancing in the forest.

100 x 150 cm
High Quality Canvas Print
individually signed by Mumbiram

This is a collector’s item and you will get your Rasa Masterpiece individually signed by Artist Mumbiram. 

Rasa Appreciation of original masterpiece “Sparrows visiting the Baby Bath” by Mumbiram

 

“Sparrows visiting the Baby Bath”

(Charcoal, 1988, Mumbiram)

Mumbiram was familiar with the various details in the lives of the rag-picking girls of Yerawda. Sometimes he would run into them in their early morning forays on the dark, deserted streets of the city. Sometimes he would be visiting their homes for an early morning chai and toast. Sometimes he would visit them from Koregaon Park for a piece of Bhakri bread. Young women giving bath to their infant babies out in the open was a common sight in Kusum’s neighbourhood. Yet only a mellow Rasa Artist’s eye had the courage to capture it in such a glorious way. Mumbiram could recollect in great detail and accuracy happenings and incidents that caught his fancy. These he could depict with great alacrity and aplomb even after a long interval of time. It was a pleasure to watch Mumbiram in those inspired states.

Let us appreciate the austerity of this composition. The low wooden platform that the mother is sitting on is called a paat. The water vessel with attached handles is called a ghangaala. Made of copper or brass such vessels are family heirlooms passed on through generations. In this neighbourhood it was shared by everybody. The little pitcher to scoop water is called a lota. The dish on the floor may carry oil or sesame paste or soap.

Mumbiram could recollect in great detail and accuracy happenings and incidents that caught his fancy.
Mumbiram could recollect in great detail and accuracy happenings and incidents that caught his fancy.

The line is exquisitely simple. The postures and the paraphernalia are in great harmonious symphony. The mother has pulled up her saree way above the knee. She can lay her baby on her bare legs as she massages and bathes the baby to their great mutual pleasure. Notice the total absence of any other existential detail of the location or circumstances.

The artist is suggesting that the viewer must look at this picture with the innocence of those sparrows.
The artist is suggesting that the viewer must look at this picture with the innocence of those sparrows.

Look at the little sparrows thirsting for the bath water. The artist is suggesting that the viewer must look at this picture with the innocence of those sparrows.

The utter Joy of the Child

It would better be left to the viewer to notice the utter joy the child is experiencing and the utter pleasure and admiration on the face of the mother. We would also leave it to the expert in Rasa Theory to analyse and appreciate the Vatsalya Rasa overflowing in this depiction. We are just happy to have this glimpse of richness in the lives of the so-called poorest of India. It was all there all the time but was not noticed nor celebrated like the proverbial peacock dancing in the forest.

We are reminded of many of Mumbiram’s own writings about his artistic journey. Now we know how “great art makes economic disparity toothless” We are also convinced that “without such transcendental art illuminating the social fabric there is no possibility of peace or happiness”.