Shackled by Traditions

In 1946, during the British rule, Maharaja Partap inherits a large bankrupt state. He goes to England to trace the money through his London banker. There he meets Susan, assistant manager of the bank. He hires her as the Financial Consultant for his state. She discovers the wastage and exposes the ministers who had been stealing huge funds from the state. Partap and Susan fall in love, and she accepts his marriage proposal. His orthodox mother secretly opposes his marriage to a foreign-born girl. Susan is murdered on the night of the marriage. The Viceroy and hundreds of maharajas and top leaders had assembled for this celebration. The Viceroy appoints the world-famous detective, Sir Hasting, to solve this complicated murder in which several persons had motive and attempted the murder.

The cover to the 4th tome of the Thind, P.I. series by Raghbir Dhillon - although it's not really a Thind book, since it happens way before his time and features a different detective (Sir Hasting).

Media : Adobe Illustrator CS4 (drawing and colouring), Adobe Photoshop CS4 (applying of textures and patterns, brushes, cover design)

Reference for the dancer : [link] and [link] for the hands

Reference for the hands : [link]

Fabric texture and patterns on the dancer's dress : Thanks again to and for their amazing textures !

Henna tattoo brushes :

Shackled by Traditions © Raghbir Dhillon, 2010

Available on Amazon.com : [link]

Related pics :

+ Thind, P,I
+ Honor Killing
+ Royal Escapades
+ Crackerjack Polygamist