Admirer of Paul Raj Paintings

My photo
Paul was born in Kodaikanal on 22 September 1914 and died on 2 October 1979. G D Arulraj was born in 1925 and died in June 1972 while visiting India. Arul worked at Laguna Beach in the 60's and 1970's. G D Thyagaraj might have been born in 1922 and I am told that he probably died sometime before 1981. He moved to northern India as a young man. I lived in India as a child and spent a lot of time in Calcutta. My mother purchased several paintings directly from Paul Raj while living in Madras and this got me interested in his works. I then discovered he had two brothers Arul Raj and Thyaga Raj who were both fantastic artists. I could not find much information on the internet so decided to set up my own blog. Subsequently a Facebook tribute site has also been created to the memory of the three brothers. Contact me at: rajbrothers@hotmail.co.uk

Thursday 26 April 2012

G D Paulraj - Street Scene

This is a photo of a Paulraj watercolour provided to me by Elisabeth from the USA who lived in India for many years when her father lived there.  It is one of his nice street scenes if just a little dark.  I tried to edit out the flash reflection in the centre of the photo.
My appreciation to Elisabeth for sharing this painting.  She asked if I had heard of the Indian author  R K Narayan I had not so I have just purchased a couple of his books off Ebay.  Being 'The Man-eater of Malgudi' and 'Tales from Magudi' to see what they are like.

Tuesday 24 April 2012

G D Arulraj - At Rest

I have just been sent a few photos from Kashinath that he has found on his travels around India.  This one is by Arulraj called At Rest.
It is a very bright painting I assume painted before Arul went to the USA.  Lots of big mountains in the background, is this south India?  Hope you like it.  Thank you once again Kashinath.

Saturday 7 April 2012

The Shaking Towers Ahmedabad - 1971

I was viewing some old cine films taken in India when I was a boy and I came across a scene where my sister and I were visiting Ahmedabad (might have been around 1971 and we were taken to what is known as the shaking towers by our guide. The towers were not too tall but it was very scary when you reached the top and went out onto the platform as there was no hand rail of any kind.  I have managed to capture a couple of stills but they are very low quality as the cine film was only 8mm film.  The first photo shows the pair of towers.
I was at the top of the left hand tower.  My parents did not go up one of them was taking the cine film.  I will try and add a small cine clip later.  I understand that the towers were damaged recently in and earthquake and one is missing some of the upper floors. Is this correct the information on the internet seems to be a bit muddled? I do not know if they are to be restored or not?

Thursday 5 April 2012

G D Paulraj - Bringing Home the Catch

This painting is currently for sale on Ebay in California, USA.  The seller has agreed that I may add a photo of the painting.  The item number is 180856586554 and the auction ends on 11 April 2012 so you will need to be quick if you wish to bid on the painting.
The painting shows two fishermen dragging their boat to the high water line after returning from a fishing trip.  What is unusual about this painting is that there is quite a lot of detail on the fisherman as well (muscles).  The starting price is $150 US dollars which converts to around £96.15 based on the current exchange rate of $1.56 = £1.00. Price dropped to $100.00 and it sold on 27 April 2012.

Apparently on the reverse is an incomplete painting of a young girl which is also very interesting as well.
Two for the price of one.  Thanks to the seller deez-dem-and-doze for allowing me to add the painting to this blog.

Wednesday 4 April 2012

G D Paulraj - Going Home

Another painting by G D Paulraj looks like a couple going home on a blustery day.