Self Portrait at Nathdwara

Artist Atul Dodiya (born 1959)

dated 1999, Acrylic on canvas
24 x 24 in. (61 x 61 cm.)

Atul Dodiya is a contemporary Indian artist, born in Mumbai. He is known for his works that explore diverse cultural narratives, blending elements of Indian mythology, history, and personal experience.

In this painting, Atul portrays himself in a double role. The work was inspired by his visit to Nathdwara, during an artist gathering, where traditional Nathdwara artists and modern Indian contemporary artists came together. During the visit, there were several trips to the Nathdwara temple. On one such visit, Dodiya saw the Sona-Roopa ki Ghanti—a traditional grinding mill made of gold and silver, historically used to prepare prasad for the deity. The offering uses rich ingredients like saffron, pistachios, almonds, and other dry fruits.

While looking at the ghanti, he imagined a past life—he envisioned himself as a temple priest, grinding ingredients at this very mill, wearing the typical turban worn by Nathdwara priests. In contrast, in the other shadow portrait of the painting, he depicts himself as an artist in this birth.

Holding this idea of rebirth and memory, Atul Dodiya created this self-portrait, blending myth, imagination, and personal narrative. You can see the presence of the Sona-Roopa ki Ghanti clearly in his mind within this painting, anchoring the theme of past and present.