It’s not just a sketch. I always wanted to depict the proceedings of Tukaram maharaj to “Vaikuntha.” This scene from Sant Tukaram's life has been very close to my heart, and for the reasons I may not be able to tell exactly why. But this "why" could be discussed a little.
The life of Sant Tukaram was a transition from baseless revulsion by the society to endless reverence by the masses. He walked the path of enlightenment as he enchanted lives of thousands of followers by planting in them, seeds of love, devotion, and faith. He gladly accepted the existence of his human form and with the same urge, projected magnanimity of his spiritual being. "Anuraniya Thokada, Tuka Akashaewadha!," as he puts in his happening divine words. His devotion came with abstractness. His love for God and mankind came with an anomaly difficult for a common man to understand. His evolution from human to divine was not only magical but also mystical. He had put it in the best words he could choose, "Tuka mhane ata, Uralo Upakarapurata"! He was undoubtedly the peak of the "Varkari" sampraday as they say "Dyandeve rachila paya, Tuka zalase Kalas!."
Jijai, Sant Tukaram's wife, on the other hand represented pure love. Jijai's love for her husband and her family was always commensurate with Sant Tukaram's devotion to “Vitthal,” a form of Lord Krishna. She could hardly interpret his elevation. But he never denied her importance. He was on a mission. She was blessed to be with him. Her love for him rooted Jijai to the material world. His devotion to God made him volatile. He was through it.
Whether or not a real, in terms of mundane, Sant Tukaram's Vaikunthgaman (proceeding to the Vaikuntha) can always be treated symbolically. "Garud yeto fadatkare, nabhi nabhi mhane tware...mukut kundalnchya tithi teje lopla gawasthi..tuka zalase santushta… ghara ale vaikunthpeeth" (The eagle comes with the gentle assurance. Because of the aura of God, the sun goes mild and pale. Tuka is extremely happy as the God himself arrives to take Tuka with him). The artist interprets Tukaram's final words as his "awastha" (phase) of ultimate salvation. This portrait is a mute depiction of that phase. The eagle represents the power of his devotion, while the setting sun is the nature showing respect to Sant Tukaram's spiritual pedestal. Innocent Jijai realizing Tuka's position in the limits of separation represents a human mind which always has the answers but realizes it when the answers do not matter. Time is running out of her hands. How can she stop Sant Tukaram now? It’s impossibility. Now he belongs not only to her. "amhi jato amuchya gawa amucha ramram ghyawa." Helpless Jijai is shown waving at Tukaram as he gets more and more universal. The followers of Tukaram shown distantly on the horizon are still to understand him but are very fortunate to be present for the grand occasion. The red skies blend in emotions like agony of separation for Jijai, elation of achievement for Tuakram and animated excitement of the devotees.
I know that more I look at this picture, more I will interpret. I hope one day it will take me asymptotically closer to the "why" mentioned in the beginning.
