Tales of the Past

This pencil sketch depicts a still-life drawing of a chirag — a traditional oil lamp commonly used in South Asian households. Rendered in grayscale shading, the bulbous lamp rests on a surface with its characteristic curved spout extending left and a slender wick-holder (the “tongs”) placed in front, forming a teardrop shape. Darker strokes give depth, emphasizing shadows behind and around the lamp, while lighter areas highlight its rounded form. Simple yet expressive lines showcase typical art-class techniques — hatching for tone and smooth blending for gradients — capturing the lamp’s familiar silhouette with gentle realism.