The source of art

Facing a blank canvas is like facing an unknown region of yourself and accepting this space to work upon is like accepting dialogue with the unknown.


In a random discussion on Indian mythology, I once heard this theory about the difference between Shri Vishnu( the preserver) and Shri Shiva (the destroyer) that in Hindu rituals, when they worship Shri Vishnu, he is always offered processed things like, curd, ghee, butter, etc. and that represents the processing of an individual. Like the one who worships Shri Vishnu must grow up in a way to follow the dharma of the society, should follow all the dharma associated with being a householder, a father, a son, a friend etc. To become a householder or to carry on with the dharma of a social being since, Shri Vishnu is a preserver- a preserver of the society as well. On the other hand, Shri Shiva (the supreme god -the god of destruction and the spirit within us) would accept everything unprocessed. That is raw milk, wildflowers/fruits which no one will use otherwise. So, in a way, he is a God who accepts his devotees the way they are- unprocessed- unmasked. Whether they are humans, deities, rakshasas…he accepts everyone’s devotion. This can also be said that he would accept his devotees as they come to the world unprocessed- that is, as in a childlike state of being- a raw ‘self’- a state of infancy maybe.

  
                                Shri Vishnu                                                                                                                     Shri Shiva

It is said that Shri Shiva is also the source of all kinds of art- is art himself. And to make art is like offering yourself to Shri Shiva for him to be manifested. So, to be true to yourself is mandatory for the art to be genuine. As is said, the ‘self’ that is the true self in a being is a reflection of Shri Shiva- is ‘atman’, the spirit of a being.

And so, as a listener to the songs of silence, if one can listen to a blank canvas the song it is singing- can listen to a space that is resonating with this divine music and to reciprocate and allow a silent dialogue with one’s own self….is a basic process every artist might follow as they take up this journey of self- expression. and therefore the blank canvas in the process becomes the altar of the artist and thus begins a dialogue with the unknown and eventually the process of self-exploration starts.



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