Case study 13 / 16Track artwork for Kaber VasukiFebruary 2021

Rowthiram

A golden crown suspended before it sinks, reflecting righteous rage and the choice to step away from violence, conquest and prestige.

Digitally painted golden crown sinking into vivid blue and magenta water. — 01Rowthiram track artwork

(About the project)

Created as part of the visual world for Kaber Vasuki's Rowthiram, this artwork is taken from a frame in the music video, which Rhea also worked on as part of Television Dust.

Format: Track artwork
Artist: Kaber Vasuki
Released: February 2021
Process: Digital painting and procedurally generated water

What comes after rage

The image shows a golden crown suspended just before it disappears beneath the surface of the water. Loosely inspired by the story of Ashoka, the work reflects the idea of rowthiram, or righteous rage, and more importantly what comes after it.

The sinking crown represents the choice to step away from violence, conquest and the prestige that comes with power before they consume you. Gold may signify glory and authority, but it also sinks.

Golden theatrical crown painted digitally for Rowthiram. — 02Digitally painted crown

Building the image

Rhea digitally painted the crown, using the crown worn by Gatotkacha in the Telugu film Mayabazar as a visual reference. The surrounding water was procedurally generated.

Reference image of Gatotkacha's crown from the Telugu film Mayabazar. — 03Mayabazar crown reference

Still from the Rowthiram music video visual world. — 04Music video still