Surrealistic and lyrical, Jayasri Burman’s drawings and paintings are based on mythology and that are much inspired from the Indian folk element and nature. She manages very successfully to weave the decorative and design element of the folk idiom into the intricate patterns of her canvas, without losing the natural charm and naivety of her work, which is uniquely her own.

The subject of her paintings revolves around women and nature. She creates detailed and dense imagery where rivers, birds, animals, flowers, fruits, icons, gods and goddesses appear recurrently, each time with different focus and nuance. She intends to exhibit freedom, pain and joy, dream and fears of life.

Jayasri Burman, Ashirwad, 2014, pen & ink on paper, 48 x 48"

The selection of certain key vibrant colours such as red, blue or the radiant saffron provide as a starting point and guide for content, colour and structure. To create her beautiful imagery she uses mixed media including water colours, oils, natural pigments, gouache and pen and ink. Fond of drawing and sketching from her college days, she was even fascinated with the way colours were used to create textures in the textiles of Rajasthan. Her mythically acquainted water colours are notable for their subdued colours and distinct composition.

Jayasri Burman, Gonga-Ma, 2008, watercolour, pen & ink on board, 72 x 45”

Burman confesses her desire to see her women content in engaging in the bounties of life. This is evident in her water colour work “Annapurna”. This work depicts the role played by women as bread earners, traditionally thought of as a domain which is male dominant.

She states that a woman is an Annapurna, the one who makes sure everyone in her family is fed, that no one remains hungry. She creates an enduring image of the woman as a nurturer, and this image that would prevail however advanced our civil societies may become.

Jayasri Burman, Annapurna, mixed media on paper, 48 x 60”

'It is a playful narrative which could only typify in the traditional notion of Lila. The Lila is not only of memories and experiences recaptured in passionate fury, but also of a person who is released through her art from the confines of dark feelings and, in fact, from physical circumstances which, at one time in the past, did prevent her moving out of her home. That darkness of the confinement and the brightness of release from it is what define the creative reasoning of her work. There is hope and positivity that comes blooming out of the dark paintings, that eventually made her feel that ‘nobody can stop you'.

Jayasri Burman, Lila, 2009, watercolour, pen & ink on board, 24 x 24”