Heading into the hills from the urban jungle, a certain feeling of tranquillity engulfs a traveller.
The cool mountain air, the sound of the forest and the breathtaking views that change with every hairpin bend inspire creativity.
It is these moments of solitude during time spent in a British-styled gabled bungalow called Knock Fierna (Translated as “Where the Fairies Knock” ) in Ranikhet that artist Manju Kak sits down to paint.
The exhibition is titled “Ranikhet State of Mind”. The paintings are inspired by the flora around the bungalow.
Kak said: “When you go up the hills, you enter a tranquil, almost meditative state of mind, leaving city life behind and it is this elevated state of mind while at Ranikhet that inspires me to paint.”
Through her works, she explores the different shades of water in lakes, plants in her garden as well as fond memories from her travels. The artist has even added a portrait of the gardner responsible for maintaining the garden at Knock Fierna. The exhibition is on till April 29 at the India International Centre Annexe.