National Highway 3

This award-winning landscape captures National Highway 3 in India, also known as the Mumbai-Agra Road, and offers a striking mix of diverse natural and man-made beauty as it traverses several states, weaving through both rural and urban areas.

As you drive along the highway, you’ll notice the gradual transition from the bustling energy of cities like Nashik and Thane to the quieter, scenic countryside. The road cuts through vast, expansive plains, lush farmland, and dense forests, particularly as it winds through areas like the Sahyadri mountain ranges in Maharashtra. The hills rise majestically in the distance, often covered in thick green vegetation, offering a sense of tranquility and grandeur. In the monsoon season, these hills come alive with mist, waterfalls, and vibrant greenery, making the drive exceptionally picturesque.

Along the way, you’ll see stretches of farmland dotted with crops like sugarcane, rice, and cotton, reflecting the agricultural heart of India. Small villages and towns line the road, where you’ll spot traditional Indian homes, bustling local markets, and roadside tea stalls that offer a glimpse of rural life.

The highway also passes by rivers, such as the Godavari, providing stunning views of the water winding through the landscape. In some parts, the road meanders through small forests, where you might catch sight of tall trees and birds in the canopy. The terrain occasionally shifts with more arid landscapes, especially as you move towards the northern parts, where the vegetation becomes sparser, and the air feels drier.

The combination of these rural and natural elements, along with occasional glimpses of urban life in nearby towns and cities, makes the landscape around National Highway 3 a beautiful and dynamic journey through the heart of India.

This piece received the Silver Award at the Prafulla Dahanukar Art Foundation Awards for Watercolors, March 2016

Watercolor on cotton paper

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