Memories of Bombay by SH Raza and Western Ghats by Eunice De Souza
This week in Daak:
1. Memories of Bombay by SH Raza
2. Western Ghats by Eunice De Souza
3. Help Us Grow Our Tribe
4. A Stunning Women’s Day Gift
1. Memories of Bombay by SH Raza
There is relevance in repetition. At the very least, it shows us an artist’s preoccupations. Most of you may know SH Raza for his Bindu series – another endless repetition of this ancient symbol of creation and life force. However, did you know that he was equally fascinated by the cityscape of Bombay, his home for seven years before he moved to France? Over these years, as he forged his artistic vocabulary, he painted many iconic landmarks of the city, as well its quieter scenes. Raza said, “I loved Bombay and I painted its street scenes, Ferozeshah Mehta Road or the Parsi temple from the Express Block Studios where I was working from 10 to 6…I painted the city because there was no time to go out to nature. The expression was limited to cityscapes.” So, the city became his refuge and inspiration, appearing in all its moods and shades on his canvas.
2. Western Ghats by Eunice De Souza
Fling my ashes in the Western Ghats They’ve always seemed like home. May the leopards develop A taste for poetry The crows and kites learn To modulate their voices. May there be mist and waterfalls Grass and flowers In the wrong season.
There are people who love mountains. And then there’s everyone else. Eunice De Souza spent a lifetime in Bombay, and yet, towards the end of her life, she felt like her remains belonged to the majestic Western Ghats. Having lived a life of defiance and laugher in the face of rigid social norms, De Souza hoped that her ashes would impart this same sense essence of deviance to nature where leopards might start enjoying rhymes and the Ghats might see unseasonal bursts of vegetation.
3. Help Us Grow Our Tribe
If you’re enjoying this newsletter, please help us grow the Daak family by forwarding it to other culturally curious folks!
4. A Stunning Women’s Day Gift
In this collection of 20 postcards, we celebrate the audacity and brilliance of 20 women through their writings, poems, paintings and photos. Share this gift with a woman who loves to dream, a woman who challenges conventions, and a woman you are thankful to have in your life.