II. A V A T A R

The Indigo Gaze - The "Chamundi" form, captured in the silence before the frenzy. The deep indigo pigment signifies the infinite nature of the deity, while the yellow halo of hands represents omnipresence.

The paint is not a mask; it is a portal. A study of the precise moment a human face dissolves to reveal the face of a god.

Project

II. A V A T A R

Year

2025

The Erasure - The first layer of paint marks the beginning of the end for the human identity. The artist disappears; the archetype emerges.

The Green Discipline - Every line, curve, and color in Kathakali is codified by centuries of tradition. The green pigment (*Pacha*) signifies nobility and divine order.

The Red Fury - Red (*Chuvanna*) is the color of raw power and chaotic energy. The rough texture of the natural pigments brings the deity’s volatility to life.

While the body dances, the mind enters a deep stillness. This mask represents the deity in a state of absolute, symmetrical balance.

The Shadow Self - In the smoke and darkness of the ritual ground, the physical form dissolves. All that remains is the silhouette of the divine presence.

The Manifestation — A form beyond the human, walking between worlds.

About

THE ARCHITECTURE OF A GOD

To become an Avatar is to surrender the self completely. The intricate face painting (Mukhathezhuthu) is not merely cosmetic; it is a ritual of erasure. With every layer of natural pigment—ground from stone, rice, and charcoal—the human identity is suppressed, and the divine archetype takes possession.

The Thousand Hands In this form, the deity is depicted with a halo of hands, a physical manifestation of the spirit's reach. Even the modern elements visible here—the synthetic props, the plastic masks worn as a necklace—do not break the spell. They prove that the spirit is not trapped in the past; it adapts, survives, and manifests in the materials of the present.

The Darshan This image captures the concept of "Darshan"—the holy exchange of sight. The deity is not looking at the camera; he is looking into you. It is a confrontation with the divine that demands you look back, stripping away the comfort of being a passive observer.