The artwork demonstrates a very important story of Indian mythology where the significance of the ‘Tortoise’ is superbly depicted. The story of ‘Samudra Manthan’ (Ocean Churning) which appears in Bhagavad Purana, Vishnu Purana, as well as in the Mahabharata. Lord Vishnu is one of the Divine Trinity, the others being Brahma and Shiva. Lord Vishnu is regarded as the Protector and the Preserver of the universe. In order to maintain righteousness (Dharma) during each epoch Dharma (yuga), he descends himself in different incarnations (Avataras) and saves world beings from facing the wrath.
Lord Vishnu during ‘Samudra Mathan’ descended himself in ‘Tortoise’, in Sanskrit it is known as ‘Kurma’, and is one of the 10 incarnations (Avatar) of him. In this incarnation, Lord Vishnu is associated with the myth of the churning of the ocean of milk. The gods and the demons, or titans (Asura) cooperated in the churning to obtain amrita, the elixir of immortality. The great serpent Vasuki offered himself as a rope and Mount Mandara was torn out for use as a churning stick. Since a firm foundation was a prerequisite to balance the mountain, so Lord Vishnu took the form of a tortoise and supported the churning stick on his back.
I was inspired and influenced by miniature forms of paintings while visiting Jaisalmer. Miniature paintings, as the name suggests are traditional styles of art that is very detailed and colourful handmade paintings are very small in size and I have picked up few motifs in my paintings from the Jaisalmer Havelis walls.