Wetland

One day, my family and I took a trip to a beautiful wetland in Kerala. The lush greenery around us was peaceful, and the air was filled with the sweet scent of the forest and the sound of rustling leaves. As we were gliding along the water in a boat, something caught my eye – a crocodile, lounging in the sun on the riverbank. It looked so still, almost like a stone, soaking in the warmth of the sun.

At first, I was scared! What if it decided to leap out of the water and come after us? My heart raced. But the man who was steering the boat noticed my worry and reassured me. "Don't worry," he said with a calm smile. "It won’t do anything. It’s just enjoying the sunlight."

Still a bit nervous, we continued on, crossing a small river and making our way to an island. We spent a long time exploring the island, walking through the dense forest, and enjoying the peaceful surroundings. When we finally retraced our steps and crossed the river again to return to the same spot, I couldn’t believe it – the crocodile was still there, exactly where we had left it, basking in the sun.

That image of the crocodile, so still and patient, stuck with me. Later, back at home, I curved the design of that crocodile onto a ceramic pot, its calm, unhurried presence now forever in my work.

Medium: Ceramic Stoneware clay

Size: 30 cm x 16.5 cm

Year: 2025

Investment: Rs 30,000