I was very sad, very depressed when the Taj Mahal Hotel was attacked. The Taj has always been a dream for everyone – especially those that move to the city. I used to go there frequently and became very friendly with the staff and the management of the hotel, which is why it has affected me very deeply.

In the charcoal sketch that I have created, there is a crow hovering ominously – boding bad luck and acting as a metaphor for evil or bad people looking in. The grimness is particularly clear when you notice the blood splattered on the ground below, and find the Taj engulfed in fog and darkness.

Ajay De was born in Kolkata and graduated from the Government Art College there, before doing his post-graduate study from JJ School of Art, Mumbai. Soon after he consciously moved from oil on canvas to charcoal work. He has had over 20 solo shows and over 50 group shows worldwide. He has been living and working in Mumbai for the last 14 years.

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