152cm x 170cm (60” x 67”)
Oil on Linen Canvas
2016
Crash captures the poignant juxtaposition of tradition and modernity, focusing on women performing morning pujas along the River Ganga—a ritual deeply rooted in centuries-old practices. However, these rituals now unfold against the backdrop of significant environmental and urban transformations. The sacred river, revered as the “Mother of India,” is marred by pollution, trash, toxic waste, and symbols of consumerism, such as the ubiquitous plastic water bottle.
Set in the city of Shiva, the painting depicts women immersed in prayer, wading through thick, opaque water, seemingly oblivious to the foreign objects drifting around them. Crash highlights the collision of spiritual devotion and environmental degradation, offering a powerful commentary on the resilience of cultural traditions amidst the growing challenges of urbanization and ecological decline.