This powerful collection of paintings was born out of deep personal loss and a profound desire to reconnect with her beloved daughter Shivata and her mother, whom she lost within the same year. Through her art, Ragini transforms her grief into a poignant exploration of life, death, and the bonds that transcend time.
Life isn't cruel; it is less forgiving
The randomness of suffering is one of life’s greatest injustices. Illness, accidents, and unforeseen tragedies do not discriminate; they strike without warning, altering lives irrevocably. Good people endure unimaginable pain, while others appear to glide through life untouched by misfortune. This disparity is a stark reminder of the world’s indifference to our sense of justice and fairness.
In loving memory of her daughter and her mother, this series embodies the sadness and grief that Ragini Upadhyaya endured. Ragini has profoundly expressed the phases of sorrow she experienced before accepting reality in her artworks within this series. The fact of life and death is relatable to everyone; therefore, this is one of her most powerful series.
Exploring the Ashes Series
The Ashes Series by Ragini Upadhyaya is a collection of paintings that delve into themes of loss, memory, and transcendence. Each piece in this series is imbued with Ragini’s raw emotions and her desire to reconnect with her loved ones. The use of ashes as a medium symbolizes the cycle of life and death, and the eternal connection between the physical and spiritual realms.
One of the results of such a desire is an acrylic on canvas painting, ‘Broken Wings of You and Me (2017)’. The painting is vibrant, with bright hues of red, blue, white, and yellow. The red heart is placed on fire, and the umbilical cord of a mother is tied to the child in the white-and-blue sky. This painting represents the artist’s love for her daughter and seems to convey to her that even if death has separated them physically, they are still connected. This painting serves as a reminder that love, even when lost to death, can never truly be extinguished and remains alive in our heart and memory
In Her Own Words: Ragini Upadhyaya on the Ashes Series
An edited version of
Kali | 2019 | Acrylic on Canvas | 30×40 inches
The Ashes Series is my way of coping with the immense grief of losing my daughter Shivata and my mother within the same year. Through these paintings, I aim to express my sorrow, but also my belief in the eternal connection between us. Art has always been my sanctuary, and with this series, I hope to reach out to my loved ones beyond the veil of death. Each stroke of the brush, each layer of ash, is a tribute to their memory and a testament to the unbreakable bond we share.
– Ragini Upadhyaya
Shivata Upadhyaya Grela, Sushila Upadhyaya
SHIVATA LOVE FOUNDATION
“In loving memory of her daughter, Ragini Upadhyaya has started a foundation named ‘Shivata Love Foundation’ after her daughter Shivata. Through this foundation, she is supporting the education of over 30 children. Shivata Love Foundation is an organization where Ragini Upadhyaya engages in social work, focusing on an education program for low-income families, particularly children, women, and minorities. This foundation also raises awareness of meningitis, the cause of her daughter Shivata’s demise.
– Shivata Love Foundation| Ragini Art Center | Balkot, Bhaktapur, Nepal. | 01-6632088 | [email protected]
www.shivata-love.org
