By Sandeep Bomble
Founder & Creative Director, Palasa
A visual impact can be so strong, it can change your life forever. Sometimes all it takes is one glance that strikes a chord with you. It follows you, stalks you, pursues you until you are left to delve deeper into the visual. And mind you, the deeper you go the more it engulfs you, which could either take a positive or negative turn. In my case, it was definitely positive.
The story begins way back in 1997. I was a young, aggressive advertising brat working at Ogilvy and Mather. With a few awards under the belt, hopes, frustrations and pressures were high. Proving yourself was a huge priority. It’s a stage one often goes through at the start of their career. Your expectations are high, you get lost and at times you end up losing control of yourself. I too underwent the same until one fine rainy day.
That day, my wife and I headed to Kodaikanal for a short vacation. Occupying the last seat in our van, we were assured an unhindered view of the vast greens, from the long horizontal glass window behind us. The journey through the ghats in the valley was refreshing as ever. As the van moved up the winding hill, something caught my eyes. Mesmerised by the sight, I tugged at my wife’s dupatta, hoping that she’d too see what I had just seen. But alas, all she saw was greens and not what I had seen. It seemed like the striking visual treat was meant for me alone. It was specially arranged for a purpose that only the future would unveil.
Inside that deep huge green valley was one little cloud wandering alone. The spectacular sight left me
dumbfounded. It was so overpowering and unbelievable a sight that it just refused to let me go. To me, it looked as if it was lost and was trying to find its way out. It touched my heart and was etched forever in my mind.
The moment I came home, that unforgettable sight found its expression through my first painting, ‘The Lost Cloud’. It not only left a lasting impression, but also brought out the hidden artist in me. It made me a lot more creative, and a calmer, more balanced person. I ended up hosting six painting exhibitions in Chennai and Mumbai. Recently, I got done with my sixth show titled ‘Mindscape 6’, escapades of my mind.
Painting makes me connect with people and nature. I chose painting as a medium to be happy when stress levels at work ran high. I believe nature makes everything and everyone happy. All thanks to that lost cloud that helped me see the other side of life. It has been 15 years since that visual impact.
Today, when I look back I see how that first click in my heart and mind took me forward and got me where I am today.
It’s time we learn to observe and be open to what everyday sights offer us. So that we can take it back home, or rather it takes us home, and leaves us pondering to facilitate a better understanding of ourselves.
Feedback: sandeep@palasa.in
