Maya Burman, in her current show, transports her viewers into a dreamlike world where female-folk in patterned frocks abound, as do flowers, tigers and sailboats. Created with pen, ink and watercolour on paper, her works are vividly colourful and joyously playful. The show is aptly titled Rhapsody. The Paris-based half-Indian, half- French artist trained in architecture but soon gave it up to pursue her passion in painting. Burman credits her parents – the accomplished painters Sakti Burman and Maite Delteil – for the honing of her technique, which she learnt informally. Architectural influences can be seen in her works as in the “Summer of Dreams” series in which floating women and rosy-cheeked cherubs, in patterned frocks, are anchored against the backdrop of an arch. Elsewhere too, columns and porches lend gravity to what appears to be a floating fantasyland. There is rhythm and movement in Burman’s works, and her figures seem to pulse with life. But the most striking feature of her paintings is their decorative detail. The central figures are adorned in geometric and organic patterned dresses, while meticulously coloured flowers and foliage make up the spaces in between. A needle thin outline of black ink separates the various forms in her works, similar to the lineation used by Indian miniature artists, whom Burman counts as an influence. She also acknowledges the sway of French Art-Nouveau-like elaborations in her works. The female figure is central to Burman’s idyllic world. Children are cheerful and nature is untouched. Abuses and offenses of any kind are far removed from these dreamscapes. However, the artist isn’t trying to make any social or political statements by choosing to repeatedly depict women in her works. The artist’s fantasies are delightfully at play, but so are her personal experiences. She draws from her memory bank, inks in imaginary characters and then paints in the details. This is Burman’s third solo at this gallery, the other two being in 2007 and 2011, where she showcased works that were similar in style and motifs to the one’s currently on view. She seems to be happy in her groove; and that happiness spills forth onto her works. Varsha Reshamwala Until Sun July 20. 1 Admiralty Building, Opposite Dunne’s Institute, Colaba Cross Lane, Colaba (). G Churchgate (WR), CST (CR Main & Harbour).