Detail of Katesar Sewing Project Mural

When I first saw Prashant walking down the hall of the UrbanSpace building at 401 Richmond Street West, he was slowly unwrapping himself from a bundled shawl against the cold of the last days of Canadian winter. Underneath he was wearing a brightly stitched long vest. Every seam and detail embroidered in bright primary colours. My mind connected to Ray Bradbury's "The Illustrated Man" but this was the "Stitched Man", I was seeing.

Why?

It was a legacy of Prash's work with two of WLC's sewing projects--projects that combine literacy education with teaching women sewing skills useful for cottage industry endeavours. Prash has been helping the women in the projects create some new designs for placemats and other goods that WLC will help sell in Canada at fair value to sustain their project.

While working in the project, not only did Prash's wardrobe become progressively more covered in bright embroidery but he also took time to bedeck the walls of the sewing project with some whimsical murals depicting the beehive of activity within.

Friends and well-wishers at the Hotel Ganges View art show

The Artist on Display at the Hotel Ganges View

Entrance to the Hotel Ganges View

A painting of the entrance of a hotel in which there is an art exhibit in which hangs the painting of the entrance of the hotel in which there is an art exhibit in . . . . and so on . . . . and on

A small warm flame in the City of Light

Art Show -- De-constructed Sketchbook

Farewell to Varanasi

Dr. Pravin Rana, the Director of the WLC children's programs in Varanasi kindly sent along some photos of Prashant's art show and final farewell as he headed off to GOA and then back to Canada. He began with this beautiful photograph that speaks volumes about the measure of life in the City of Light. Another sunrise spreads across the water of the Ganges as day breaks. (Thanks, Pravin!)

Sarah

Hermit

Travelling back to Toronto

A long stop over at the Schiphol airport in Amsterdam, where I whiled away my time in the Rijk's museum and meditation centre.

St. Anthony's Chapel, Goa

Pursuit of Truth

One perfect gooseberry

Reading Pamuk

Daily Blessings

Yoga on the beach with Krishna Das

Moonlight dip in the Arabian Sea

Divine Intervention

Tea with Chaitanya and Liza

The journey of life. The passage of time.

BAINA TREE

Rain Break

Liza in the Kitchen

The colour of time on Bogmalo Beach

AFTERNOON

MORNING (re-visited)

Tiny lives on a large beach

Ah, the choices of life!

Bogmalo Beach--Goa

Dinner

GoooooAHHH!!

The Goa Sketchbook begins.

Flowing to the sea now

The buds are shouting
"The gardener is coming!
Today he picks the flowers,
tomorrow us!"

Kabir*

Tomorrow I leave this ancient city. An enchanted forest of peace and bliss which has cleansed and rejuvenated my soul. I shall miss the devotion and fervour of undying faith, the nonchalance of life and death, the love and respect from unknown glances, the familiar smiles that capture the warmth of summer, the eyes that kiss, the heralding of a new day, magical meanderings down the river, Mother Ganga Herself, sublime evenings of tranquil music, mystical encounters with truth, moonlit meditations on the ghats and the divine light that this city possesses.
I can only thank that Supreme Source which guides me along my beautiful path, who whispers hope in my ear, and who brings joy and peace to my steady gait. I will be heading to Canada soon, but before that I hope to make my way down and flow into the Arabian sea, and spend a few days in Goa.

Volunteering with World Literacy of Canada these past few months have been immensely satisfying. The circle is deemed complete, and I am back to 0. Soon I shall have to figure out how to pay my next month's mortgage and the bills that come with it. I will have a show of my paintings once I get back to Canada.

If any of you have any plots or ploys for me, in accordance with the divine plan do let me know.

More love and light than ever,

Prashant

* kabir is a 15th century mystic poet from India who lived in Varanasi. He
was a weaver by trade, but a poet at heart....and is one of India's greatest poets.

A wonderful musical gathering at Chet Singh's palace

Prash and Kamal Photo

Savouring every moment.

Mr.P

Ladies

Studies of Basant Lal

Studies: A Constant inspiration which ebbs and flows