December 11, 2011

From the Mario Miranda Gallery, Goa

Super Mario: A Brush-Stroke of Genius

His keen hand and eye co-ordinated in the most charmingly humourous way. If you see his paintings of his international travels, you'll see how masterfully he has captured the purest essence of the place - with , of course, the delightful twist of the comic. And his comic wasn't the poking fun, bringing you down kind, it was the comic that uplifted bogged-down human spirits. And when he recorded Goa, it was with such a fresh, honest and entirely unique perspective.

The detailing is down to the last twisted moustache and shine on the musician's shoe. You'll see the use of the labour intensive cross-hatching instead of merely shading the darker trusses of the church.

And in a way they are recordings of people and places, more powerful than photographs. Below are a few examples of the pure genius of the man.

Next time you're in Goa, I urge you to take a day off and visit his museum. I'm glad I asked Anjali and Annie to take me in the midst of my hectic shoot. I told Annie that maybe my next documentary should be about him, but after today, sadly, that won't be possible.

The one below is called Old Sailor in Hamburg below which he quips : A sea-wolf in ship's clothing.