It's rare that nine eminent artists come together to pay celebrate music, dance and art with their individualistic works. But a show is happening in Delhi featuring works of Niren Sengupta, Asit Kumar Patnaik, Sanjay Bhattacharya, Laxman Aelay, Shridhar Iyer, Sudip Roy, Seema Kohli, Sangeeta Gupta and Ranjeeta Kant. The occasion is to celebrate the 42nd anniversary of Natya Tarangini as a cultural hub.
42 years after its establishment by the legendary dancing duo Raja-Radha Reddy and Kuchipudi exponent Kaushalya Reddy, the institute is celebrating the occasion with an art exhibition 'Insights'.
Kaushalya Reddy, the curator, describes the exhibition as one of a kind. “I have refrained from giving the art show a theme. Creative artists cannot be bounded because then you limit their thinking. Freedom and creativity has no boundaries. I left it to the artists to do justice with 'Insights'. I wanted them to choose the work they thought would build a connection with the title of the show,” she says.
Landscape artist Sanjay Bhattacharya for the show creates two special paintings using watercolours on bandwalas. He is also bringing to the palette his signature work of landscape art on Shanti Niketan that he created as oil on canvas.
Describing his work of art on the musicians, he said, “I feel bandwalas do not get the recognition they deserve, despite being extremely talented in their work of performance art. They are also musicians but their art just remains confined to performing at weddings and events. That's the reason no one takes them seriously. It's not that the instruments with which they work are easy as creating music is also an art. So since Natya Tarangini celebrates waves of dance, music and art, I thought this piece becomes relevant and makes people understand their relevance in our country,” says Bhattacharya.
Shridhar Iyer, in his abstract work, brings a mixed media art using acrylic on canvas, ink and pigment. “I usually do figurative and abstract works, but this work is abstract art. This is a cosmic work that involves drama and celebration of colours and life. For me, it is like showcasing an opera using spontaneous strokes,” he explains.
Sudeep Roy's artworks highlight simplicity of Indian culture. Citing inspiration from Charulata, based upon a novel written by Rabindranath Tagore, the eminent artist is showcasing realistic art. “This work is my way of admiring the beauty and modesty of women. It also shows my love for saree,” he says.
The artist, in his another piece 'Blue Boy' has used Krishna as a metaphor for a father figure and has also revived the beauty of ghats through two paintings on Benares.
Works of all artists are available at Natya Tarangini's in-house art gallery and amphitheater, Nandjee Khemka Art Gallery till April 30.