For a generation whose childhood fascinations were shaped and nourished by the enchanting pages of those little magazines, the modern maze of smartphones and the internet would evoke a quiet sense of loss. The magical illustrations of the mythological characters that once left you spellbound and awestruck would still linger quietly in your mind, making fleeting appearances at the slightest mention of epics such as the Mahabharata or the Ramayana.
Much of the credit for blossoming the young minds of those days may be attributed to M. T. V. Acharya, an illustrator and art educator, knwon for the intricate detailing and emotional depth of his paintings. Acharya’s mystical sketches of the Mahabharata characters, mainly appeared in Chandamama, have not only redefined our engagement with these riveting stories but also helped in awakening the devotional and spiritual realms within us.
In his new book, The Divine Art of M. T. V. Acharya, renowned photographer Sridhara Tumari pays a rich and timely tribute to the artistic genius by compiling all his great works that were gradually fading away from the mainstream artistic forums. The book makes a revisit to Acharya’s Mahabharata series, showcasing the spellbinding illustrations of its characters and scenes that reflect the depth of his visual imagination and artistic brilliance.
However, just breathing life into a dwindling legacy was not the sole aim of the author. Tumari was more allured by the emotional resonance and philosophical undertones of those paintings. The Mahabharata itself is a spectrum of emotions and the pinnacle of philosophy. From love, compassion and hope to anger, despair, and dejection, the epic tale unfolds as a web of conflicts and complexities, and an inexhaustible source for creative engagement. It’s hardly surprising that Tumari chooses to introduce Acharya’s ‘Gitopadesha’ at the very beginning of his book.
And, what follows is a visual feast where you will be guided through all those captivating scenes captured meticulously by Acharya’s brush strokes and printed in premium quality pages. In his commentary of each portrait, Tumari explains how Acharya, through his masterful use of visual elements, captures even the tiniest narrative details and takes utmost care to convey the inner feeling of the characters. The innocence on Kunti’s face as she stands before Surya, Droupadi’s anguish after being humiliated by the Kauravas, or Karna’s helplessness when Arjuna targets him while he tries to lift the wheels of his chariot—Acharya’s paintings go beyond aesthetics and become a medium for collective human experience.
The master artist indeed had a profound understanding of those transcendental values and their subtle nuances, as evidenced in his later writings. Tumari has included a refined English translation of his autobiographical work Kale Mathu Nanu (Art & I) done by A. Shivaprasad, in the second part of his compendium, further opening the maestro’s world of art to a wider and more discerning audience.
The book offers not only an excursion through many of his other remarkable paintings, but also a glimpse into the artist's own life forged through intense struggles. It’s a poignant account of Acharya’s artistic journey, shaped by his spiritual quests and philosophical insights. On that expedition, he created a variety of illustrations—both portraits and landscapes—each carrying its own unique story behind it. From ‘A Poor Village School Teacher’ to ‘Grihalakshmi’, his canvases always stood out for their meditative quality, reflecting the inner feelings of humanity.
In the Art & I, Acharya assumes the role of an art critic rather than a storyteller. Of course, he recounts several significant episodes of his life, including his employment at an aircraft manufacturing factory, his years in Madras, and his stints with Chandamama. However, during the progression, Acharya delves extensively into the purpose of art, explores the relation between art and society, and shares his exalted views on life, human nature, spirituality, religion, and morality. It was these noble thoughts that unquestionably guided him in creating those mythological paintings.
He says, “The stories and episodes from the Mahabharata are not just mythical in nature. To this day and forever, they represent the desires and lusts in the minds of humankind. They depict not only hatred and jealousy, dirty political games, but also the highest human and spiritual values”.
Acharya’s writings adopt a more prosaic and academic tone, as he offers extensive commentary on prevailing social and political systems through a series of well-crafted essays. A realist in art, he traces various styles of Indian painting, their evolution, and Western influences, while also examining the Indian artistic tradition and its rich diversity. The conjurer minces no words in denouncing what he calls the “narrow-mindedness” of modern artists and, at one point, even explains why he didn’t wish to exhibit a good lot of his modern paintings.
Towards the end of his scholarly endeavour, Tumari further unveils the sublime beauty of Acharya’s divine art by reproducing his illustrations of over forty deities—gods and goddesses—specifically created for a Ramakrishna Ashrama publication. Inarguably, theDivine Art of Acharya stands as a cherished keepsake, offering art enthusiasts and students alike a rare opportunity to explore not only the grandeur of the artist's visual creations but also his elevated streams of thought.
Title: The Divine Art of M.T.V. Acharya
Author: Sridhara Tumari
Pages: 271
Language: English
Genre: Non-Fiction
Publisher: PRISM BOOKS PVT LTD
Price: ₹ 3995/-
