Details of pictures

The comments of the details of paintings show the emotions or "Bhava" rendered in a few of the miniature paintings of Usha Shastry.

The universal fairy tale of the golden bird

(a) A golden bird talks to a lonely prince, the bird (in reality is a princess) exuding reassurance and calm confidence ;
original size of bird 3 cms.

(b) the prince looks at the talking bird in amourous admiration ;
original size of face 1.5 cm

(c) the prince’s cat is very anxious that the master might go away
with the princess and would be quite happy to devour the bird ;
original size of cat’s face 1 cm ;


Painting of a Sufi tale from Armenia


The troubled face of the gardener with his hands imploring heaven for help



A musician singing Raga Dipak

The face of a musician singing the Raga Dipak - a devotional mood ;
Deer listening to the musician: the male deer listens with submissive respect
whereas the female deer is enchanted ;


Painting depicting a Surdas song
(a) Baby Krishna has found a flute to play on and Radha is shown brooding because she fears that Krishna may play more with the flute than with her ;
her nose ring pearl suggests a tear. Original face 8mms.
(b)The softness of a tender lotus flower protecting baby Radha and baby Krishna from a drizzle. Size reduced to one fourth


The Saint Adi-Shankara
Adi-Shankara is pictured here receiving alms on his way in search of a Guruat at the age of twelve
The bright and youthful face of the Saint
original size of face 7 mms