Buy Painting "Childhood" By Maanyaa J Hathiwala

The original reference for this painting was a simple still life: vessels arranged on plain wooden shelves. It was the quiet elegance of that arrangement that first drew me in. I was also struck by the darkness within a village home, contrasted with the bright natural light pouring in from a nearby window, making the scene glow softly. This interplay of light and shadow highlights how, despite the gloom indoors, villagers didn’t use artificial lights during the day—trusting instead in the sun’s gentle illumination.
The child’s creative mind is central to this painting. Lacking a mirror, she peers into another reflective surface she finds nearby. Her blurry reflection doesn’t stop her from enjoying the fun of making faces and sticking out her tongue. This moment captures the simplicity of village life and how its people embrace and find joy in that simplicity. I chose pink for her dress to evoke the innocence of childhood and to bring a sense of liveliness and warmth both to her and the village around her.
Ultimately, this painting was inspired by my own childhood memories—of gazing at my reflection and making faces for my own amusement. Oil paint felt like the most suitable medium to tell this personal, nostalgic story.

SERIES: Rural Happiness

THE ARTWORK IS FRAMED