Posts

01 Jan 0001

Watercolor illustration of the son, a young man with brown hair and simple brown clothes, sitting beside his blind parents (dad with grey hair, mom with dark hair) in their humble home. The son looks determined. Soft, muted colors. The style should be illustrative and children-friendly

Once upon a time, there was a poor, blind dad and mom who depended on their son to help them get by. Every day, the son would go out and ask people for food. He did this for a long time, but he got really tired of living such a tough life. So, he decided to try his luck in a different place.

01 Jan 0001

A Lesson for Kings

Watercolor illustration of the young Prince Brahma-datta (light brown skin, dark curly hair, wearing simple gold-trimmed robes) as a sixteen-year-old student at Takkasila, diligently studying ancient texts with a wise-looking guru (white hair, long beard, saffron robes). Lush green trees and traditional buildings in the background. Soft, warm color palette.

Once upon a time, a long, long time ago, when King Brahma-datta was in charge of Benares, the future Buddha was born as his son! When it was time to give the little prince a name, they called him Prince Brahma-datta. He grew up big and strong, and when he turned sixteen, he went to a special school called Takkasila. There, he learned all sorts of amazing things. After his dad, the king, passed away, he became the new king and promised to be fair and kind to everyone.

01 Jan 0001

A Special Tree

One day, when Rakesh was six years old, he walked home from the Mussoorie market eating cherries. They tasted a little sweet and a little sour. They were small, bright red cherries that had traveled all the way from the Kashmir Valley.

In the Himalayan hills where Rakesh lived, there weren’t many fruit trees. The ground was rocky, and the cold winds didn’t let most plants grow very big. But on the slopes that weren’t as windy, there were forests of oak and deodar trees.

01 Jan 0001

A Traveller’s Tale

Gopalpur-by-the-Sea!

Watercolor illustration of Gopalpur beach at sunrise, bathed in soft, golden light. Fishermen, their faces weathered and lined, are sorting their catch on the sand, their movements deliberate and efficient. Children, full of energy, are playing in the shallow water, their laughter echoing in the air. Empty hotels and cafes line the background, their faded grandeur a testament to a bygone era. The paint should capture the textures of the sand, the water, and the crumbling facades of the buildings. Use a vibrant palette of oranges, yellows, blues, and greens to capture the beauty of the sunrise. The air smells of salt and fish. The overall tone is nostalgic and bittersweet, reflecting the town’s faded glory.

01 Jan 0001

A WONDERFUL STORY.

Once upon a time, there were two super strong wrestlers! One was even stronger than the other, and he had a daughter named Ajit. The other wrestler didn’t have any kids. They didn’t live in the same town, but their towns were pretty close.

One day, the wrestler without a daughter heard about the wrestler with the daughter. He decided he wanted to wrestle him to see who was the strongest! So, he went to Ajit’s dad’s town. When he got to their house, he knocked and said, “Hello? Is anyone home?” Ajit answered, “Yes, I’m here!” and she came outside. The wrestler asked, “Where’s the wrestler who lives here?” Ajit said, “My dad took three hundred carts to the forest to get wood. He’s pulling them himself because he couldn’t find enough horses or cows to help!” The wrestler was super surprised. He said, “Wow, your dad must be REALLY strong!”

01 Jan 0001

BARBER HÍM AND THE TIGERS.

Once upon a time, there was a barber named Hím, and he was super poor. He had a wife and twelve kids – five boys and seven girls! Sometimes he would earn a little bit of money. One day, he was feeling really grumpy and left his family to figure things out on their own. “What can I do?” he said to himself. “I don’t have enough money to buy food, and my kids are crying because they’re hungry!” So he walked and walked until he got to a jungle. It was nighttime. This jungle was called the “Tigers’ Jungle” because only tigers lived there. No birds, no bugs, no other animals – just four hundred tigers! As soon as Barber Hím got to the jungle, he saw a big tiger walking around. “Oh no!” he cried. “This tiger is going to eat me for sure!” He grabbed his razor and the leather strap he used to sharpen it and started making his razor really sharp. Then he walked right up to the tiger, still sharpening his razor.

01 Jan 0001

BARBER HÍM AND THE TIGERS.

Once upon a time, there was a barber named Hím who was very, very poor. He lived with his wife and a whole bunch of kids – twelve of them! Five were boys and seven were girls. Sometimes he would earn a little bit of money. One day, he felt super grumpy and left his home, leaving his wife and kids to take care of themselves.

A watercolor illustration of Hím, a thin barber with a worried expression, holding a worn leather razor strap and a tarnished straight razor. Dawn light filters through the cracks in the wooden walls of his dilapidated house, casting long shadows. Twelve children of varying ages, their clothes patched and faded, stand before him, their faces gaunt and their eyes reflecting hunger and sadness. His wife stands framed in the doorway, her hands on her hips, her worn apron suggesting a life of endless toil, her concerned expression etched deep into her face. Patches of faded blue paint peel from the house, revealing the rough-hewn wood beneath. Chickens peck at the dusty ground. The overall color palette leans towards muted browns, grays, and blues, evoking a sense of poverty and desperation, but with hints of early morning gold adding a touch of hope. Soft blending is used to suggest worn textures.

01 Jan 0001

Bird and Monkey

A watercolor scene depicting a group of similarly-sized, light brown monkeys with dark eyes, looking frustrated and cold in a rain-soaked mountain environment. Several shiny, red Gunja fruits are scattered near them. A small yellow bird with detailed feathers is positioned slightly off to the side, looking worried, with its wings slightly spread as if to gesture towards a dark cave mouth in the background. The color scheme emphasizes the cold greys and blues of the rain and mist, contrasted by the warmth of the red Gunja fruits and the yellow of the bird. All characters should be consistently rendered in style.

01 Jan 0001

Bird Pair and Sea

Watercolor illustration depicting a vibrant beach scene with powerful, expressive ocean waves. A family of Tittibha birds (small, consistently colored) are centrally positioned, their expressions conveying fear, worry, and hope. In the upper section of the painting, subtly integrate Lord Vishnu (large, regal, in calming blues) overseeing the scene, and King Garuda (large, detailed, golden and majestic) subtly present above the chaos of the ocean. The other birds (swans, cranes, peacocks – easily distinguishable) should be subtly included within the background scene, smaller in scale than the Tittibha birds.

01 Jan 0001

Bird with Two Heads

Watercolor painting of Bharunda, a two-headed bird (heads are a consistent olive green and a deep, rich brown), with one head sadly looking at a poisonous purple-black fruit it just ate near a realistically painted sparkling lake. The other head displays a look of concern and regret. The color palette is muted, with cool blues and greens for the lake reflecting the bird’s sorrow. Use a loose, expressive watercolor style with visible brushstrokes.

01 Jan 0001

Brahmani and Mongoose

Watercolor painting of a Brahmin family scene. The central focus is on the Brahmin mother, in a flowing blue sari, her face etched with grief and regret, looking down at a small, injured mongoose. The mongoose, a rich brown, lies near a dead snake. The baby, light skinned and safe, is tucked in a basket nearby. The background suggests a simple home interior, emphasizing the intimacy and emotional intensity of the scene. The color palette uses cool blues and greens to convey sadness, contrasting with the warm browns of the mongoose. The style should emphasize the emotional depth through subtle washes of color and soft lines.

01 Jan 0001

Brahmin and Cobra

Watercolor painting of a single scene: Haridatta, a kind-faced older man with brown clothing, kneeling before a large anthill, gently offering a bowl of milk to a cobra with a detailed, slightly injured hood. The cobra is a vibrant green, and the anthill is textured and earthy. In the background, a wilting, sun-baked field, rendered in muted browns and yellows, suggests Haridatta’s struggling farm. Use warm, earthy watercolor tones. The style should be slightly illustrative and detailed.

01 Jan 0001

Brahmin and Crooks

Watercolor illustration: Mitra Sharma, a Brahmin with light brown skin and a white dhoti, struggling to carry a large, white goat through a rainy street. Three sly figures, dressed in dark, muted colors, surround him. Each sneaky person has a distinct expression of hunger and amusement, subtly suggested by their eyes and body language. The goat is realistically depicted, rendered with soft, varied washes of white and light brown. Background details are minimal, emphasizing the central figures and the dramatic weather.

01 Jan 0001

Brahmin, Thief and Demon

Watercolor painting of a serene scene depicting a thin, kind Brahmin, Drona (light brown robes, long hair and nails), praying amidst his two large, brown cows in a simple, rustic setting at twilight. A shadowy, horned demon (dark purple, menacing features) and a small, shifty-looking thief (dark green, ragged clothes) are hidden in the background, arguing amongst themselves. The overall mood should be peaceful yet slightly ominous, reflecting the impending conflict.

01 Jan 0001

Brahmin's Dream

Watercolor painting depicting Swabhavakripna waking up from his dream. His face displays disappointment, painted in soft blues and greys. Next to him, the broken clay pot is visible with spilled porridge. In a semi-transparent overlay above him, fainter watercolors illustrate scenes from his dream: a rich, bustling landscape with happy animals (goats, cows, buffaloes, horses) and a large house, all rendered in warmer colors, showcasing the wealth and family he dreamt of. Soma Sharma, a small, brightly colored figure, is clearly seen amongst the animals, creating a sense of happy chaos. The scene should depict the stark contrast between the reality of poverty and the fleeting richness of the dream.

01 Jan 0001

BRAVE HÍRÁLÁLBÁSÁ.

Once upon a time, there was a king called Manikbasa, the Ruby King, who had seven wives and seven kids. One sunny day, he told his wives he was going on a fun hunting trip! He rode his horse super far away from his fancy palace.

Watercolor illustration, golden hour lighting, of King Manikbasa, a strong, determined figure with a furrowed brow, adorned in ruby-red velvet clothing with intricate gold embroidery and a golden crown encrusted with sapphires. He rides a powerful, muscular white horse, its mane flowing in the wind. In the background, on the side of a dusty road with cracked earth and scattered pebbles, a sinister-looking, shadowy monster with glowing red eyes is mid-transformation into a beautiful queen with flowing dark hair and a deceptively alluring smile. The sky is a blend of orange, pink, and purple, casting long shadows. Emphasis on the contrast between the king’s vibrant colors and the monster’s dark, ominous presence. Watercolor with soft blending and natural flow.

01 Jan 0001

01 Jan 0001

01 Jan 0001

01 Jan 0001

Once upon a time, Emperor Akbar asked a tricky question in his court that surprised everyone. While everyone was trying to figure out the answer, Birbal arrived and asked what the problem was.

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