Featured Paintings
By Aadya Bommineni, Aradhna Praveen, and Shriya Shaji
This month, we feature artwork from youth artists Meera Ahuja, Isha Parekh, and Shrita Palla and explore how they transcribe their heritage and values into stunning pieces of visual art. Their artwork demonstrates how students at Deepti Designs choose to learn of and express their identity; they do this by using the traditional Madhubani art style to share their stories in the present. As Ms. Deepti Agrawal says, “It’s trendy, to be traditional.”
The Epitome Of Beauty
Meera Ahuja
Leota Middle School
8th Grade
“My artwork depicts a colorful peacock and represents beauty and grace. I have titled this piece “The Epitome of Beauty”, as peacocks with their beautiful, intricate feathers are one of nature’s most admired birds.
The peacock is the national bird of India and holds a special significance in Hindu culture. Lord Kartikeya (also known as Lord Murugan) is the god of war, victory, and valor is often portrayed riding on a peacock. In artwork, Lord Krishna is also traditionally shown wearing a peacock feather in his crown.
Through my painting I wanted to represent the beauty of the bird, as well as the rich cultural and spiritual significance that it carries.”
- Meera
Dharma
Isha Parekh
Glacier Peak High School
10th Grade
“For my piece, I chose to create a colorful, traditional Indian-inspired artwork featuring a decorated cow. Through this piece, I was able to develop my artistic and design skills by experimenting with patterns, detailed linework, shading, and choosing colors.
The intricate decorations and floral elements reflect the beauty and creativity found in Hindu and Indian culture, specifically clothing. The cow is representative of strength, wisdom, and good fortune in Hindu culture, and is shown across religious texts and events such as Pongal.
Creating this artwork was meaningful because it allowed me to grow my artistic skills while learning about my family traditions, making the project creative and personal.”
- Isha
Devotion
Shrita Palla
North Creek High School
12th Grade
“My painting, titled Devotion, depicts the Goddess Parvati and her son, Ganesha, seated together against the backdrop of Mount Kailash, a sacred mountain in Hindu culture.
Behind them, weeping willows and a cascading waterfall represent the calm, nurturing energy Parvati embodies. Goddess Parvati’s loyal tiger rests beside them as a symbol of protection and strength. The tender gesture of Parvati and Ganesha’s joined hands captures the closeness between mother and child, a bond I reflected through soft expressions and warm color for the clothes and floor.
Painting this piece pushed me to experiment with intricate Madhubani patterns and detailed borders; it is one of the projects I am most proud of. The title, Devotion, represents the love Parvati has for her newly created son.”
- Shrita
