Raunak Bidasaria

Professional Portrait Artist

Artworks

Changangkha bodach

Size: 48" x 24"

“Up the hill, right through the jambs- a view meticulously capturing the aerial Thimpu. Tens of prayer wheels spinning vocalizing Oṃ Maṇi Padme Hūṃ. Certainly, scenic beauty is exhilarating and so was Changangkha Lhakhang. Moving my head towards the people at the corner, I asked my friend for a click. By this time of the trip, he was familiar with the picture I was looking forward to. Deserted in the crowd was a man dressed in Gho. He stood reserved, enchanting his prayers for the day. Our doubt to ask was obvious, yet he agreed with a blink. I was happy, and as I looked into the camera display screen- I was sure to be sketching him.”

Nordzin Snap

Size: 24" x 24"

"Known for its traditional crafts, Bhutan has its exclusive flavor of art at every bend of the country. Streets filled with tented yet sturdy stalls. So is Nordzin street. Chilly weather with a breeze stirring each hanging piece in the stall. Mostly light metal, every hanging work of art echoed a bang. Though random, these bangs were soothing and euphonious to all ears. I moved across these unnumbered stalls, looking to find unknowns in the sighted items. Startled by the unnoticeable chair camouflage in the wooden background, I sighted him with a hat. He sat undisturbed from the chirrups of the crowd, deepened in his thoughts. Without delay, I snapped him."

Plage Espy

Size: 24" x 18"

"Chirala, recognized for one of the Largest Indian tobacco factory & an untold quiet beach, is a village on 2 hours bus ride from Guntur, AP (India). Working for the tobacco factory, I had the luxury to lodge at the beach guest house. In the evenings, strolls occupied most of the Sunday’s idleness. I adore the trail I left behind, rambling from one side to the other. Crabs inhabited almost every crack in the sand. Their shine tinted lifting waves into ruby. At the midst of the beach stretch, it was her who sold coconut water. She had lost her vision for the left eye. Reserved for any charity, she transacted while enveloping her left eye to focus better. I always felt this analogous to my India- though seemingly blurred, it stands committed & firm."

Homeless Urge

Size: 24" x 24"

"Although the car’s panes faded almost every passing mountain, the trip to Malda, WB (India) was unexpectedly thrilling. It was not that the window panes were opaque; it was the mist that blanketed the night. It was 8 pm, and astonishingly, everyone in the moving car was asleep (including the driver). Thankfully, one jolt fractured all the drowse. Soon, we paused out for dinner. We were 20Kms away from Malda. It is a small town noted for its Bidi Manufacturing. Bidis are cigarettes handmade from specific leaves & tobacco. It is 20 times cheaper than single cigarettes. However, at the dinner place, I saw her. She was half-sitting, circling around bonfire lit with twigs piled up from a nearby tree. She attired with rugs and lay inexpressive with every passing gaze. Ironically, she smoked a Marlboro."

Mum Desire

Size: 25" x 15"

North India is notorious for its extreme weather. Be it summer or be it winter. At times, the temperature soars high ranges or dwindles to new records. So is Rohtak, a small city north of Delhi. It was October (winters generally), yet it was terribly summery. I scouted out for cold cola. To shield stores from passing heatwaves, every owner hung a thick cloth. These clothes were then sprinkled with water to freshen the adjacent. I set foot in the shop, unblocking the hanging sheets. It was her. She sat there with her grandson, perplexed with this prompt intrusion. We talked about how adorable her grandson is. With little chatter, she lamented on how everything is over-priced and how tough child education is getting.