Chowke

This is one of a sequence of paintings which depicts the journey by boat across the Mumbai harbour to the Panvel jetty, then to Kapoli, up the Bhor Ghat to Lonavla and onwards to Pune.

Here we see a view of the Western Ghats from the Chauke. The mountain range includes the popular landmark the ‘Duke’s nose’ on the left. This is named after the Duke of Wellington (1769-1852), whose distinctive nose it resembles. The artist was obviously charmed by the variety of rock formations topping the hills of the Ghats, and the beautiful champa (frangipani) tree in bloom.