Indo-Bauhaus - “Kashi Rekha”: Abstraction of Varanasi Ghats

Provenance

This artwork reimagines the sacred riverfront of Varanasi through the refined visual language of Indo-Bauhaus design. The historic ghats, with their descending stone steps, temple silhouettes, arched pavilions, and riverside structures, are distilled into a harmonious arrangement of geometric forms. A solitary boat rests along the water’s edge, adding a sense of movement and continuity to the timeless landscape.

For centuries, the ghats of Varanasi have served as spiritual thresholds where architecture, ritual, and the sacred River Ganges converge. The steps leading towards the water represent a journey between the earthly and the divine, while the temples and shikharas rising above the riverfront reflect the city's enduring connection with faith and devotion. The golden celestial presence within the composition evokes the importance of sunrise rituals and the sacred relationship between light, water, and worship.

Through the principles of Indo-Bauhaus design, the complexity of Varanasi’s architectural landscape is transformed into a study of balance, rhythm, and geometry. Temple forms, stairways, and riverfront structures are reinterpreted through clean lines, arches, and geometric planes, creating a modern visual language while preserving the spiritual essence of the city. A palette of deep indigo, terracotta, ochre, and warm sandstone tones reflects the colours of the Ganges, ancient stone architecture, and the golden glow of Varanasi’s dawn.