After touring Kolkata and Goa, Alok Uniyal paid a visit to Kashmir for his series of works displayed at Gallerie Ganesha. He tells Divya Kaushik about stories of hope
lovers resting on a boat while gazing at the widespread beauty, a shikarawallah caught up in his own reverie while making his way through the chilling lake water and a musician trying to hit the right chord on his rubab. Images depicted in his paintings are nothing new to those who have witnessed the photos captured in the valley or have been there. But the green water lake and blue background make his paintings look different. Alok Uniyal’s series of works based on Kashmir is displayed at Gallerie Ganesha. His works are mostly region-specific — his last series was based on Goa and the one before that was about Kolkata. “I believe in bringing out the culture and lifestyle of the place through my paintings. Nature and music are important elements in my paintings. For example, in the Goa series violin played an important role and in the Kashmir series it is rubab. When I present nature I add my own imagination to it, therefore you will find that in some paintings the water is green. I don’t stick to any rules when it comes to painting, my canvas is the platform to present my thought and I play freely with colours. Green dominates most of my works since it is the colour of prosperity, peace and it represents nature,” said Uniyal.
He visited Kashmir last year and was reminded of the popular phrase, ‘paradise on earth’ while he moved around the Dal lake and the famous gardens of Kashmir. “Despite the turmoil and tough times that the place and its people have been facing, the beauty and simplicity of lives are not lost. The markets are so lively and the lake so calm and serene. I imagined what the place will be like once it is free from all the trouble and turbulence it has been facing. Therefore the title of the exhibition is Paradise Regained. The place will be multiple times more beautiful in the years to come if certain things improve in the valley,” said the artist, who has his roots in Uttarakhand, but was born and brought up in Meerut, Uttar Pradesh. His art education happened in UP only and he kept himself updated with art activities and developments happening in the capital.
The works also reflect elements of Indian traditional art — like miniature paintings and terracotta art — especially as Uniyal belongs to Uttarakhand. “As I was born and studied art in Meerut and I have never followed any Western style. I remain attached to my roots and there are enough inspiring subjects in this country to keep me occupied.” He also pointed out that his works are not just about “beautification” of the theme. “look closely and you will see that the women on the floating boats or shikaras on the Dal lake are quiet and seem to be introspecting. Are they hoping for a better futureIJ The use of one dominant colour in the background creates this mystery, this element of thoughtfulness. My message is that even if the waters of the lake are becoming shallower by the day and polluted — as a symbol of the entire state’s situation — we have hope yet. There should always be a hope for better future and that clearly reflects in my works. This is one message I would want to convey that collectively we will have to be hopeful and join hands to let the paradise be the paradise,” he said. After a series on Kashmir, Uniyal is planning a visit to Kerala and to Andaman and Nicobar islands. “I love coastal regions and I will continue to present them in my own unique style,” he added.The exhibition continues till November 14.