The Koel's Call
As the most romanticized bird in South Asian literature, held in high regard for its beautiful song, the Koel has been a common symbol of love.
Tassels ornamented with metal and glass beads often adorn South Asian garments, furniture, and religious icons. The use of watercolor paints in this illustration evokes the playful tradition of Holi celebrants dousing one another with colored water, often using a squirt gun or water balloon.
Diya Ghosh, Koel's Call, 2020. Watercolor on canvas. ©Diya Ghosh. All rights reserved.
Holi
By Diya Ghosh
A cacophony of colors
Rings in my head
Laughter and squeals,
As the pistons shoot
streams of color
of unknown strengths.
Hidden between the strands
of pink and green,
now swirling at my feet.
Drinks and tricks,
Exultant
Though setting some aside
Quiet and rushed
The feelings inside
of pure joy;
Touches the soul,
the child.
Play.
Play with the colors,
that burst,
cleansing the air
for blooms to scintillate.
For me, where the Koels sing.
Bewildered runnings
With neighbors and friends
Balloons, buckets
Powders and paste.
Reminisce those days
whenever again
My hands will brim
With those colors
Dipped in Spring.
Fun fact: this piece of art was made by spraying water color onto the canvas using a syringe. Ever a resourceful artist, Ghosh used the resources around her...in this case her bathtub.
