The exhibition not only provided a chance to the Bhopalites to get acquainted with a different form of art and artists, but also encouraged budding artists and young students to get inspiration and ideas and move ahead in their fields and acquaint themselves with the sacrifices made by the soldiers, writes Manisha Pandit
Bhopalites witnessed a different aspect of art last week. The gallant sacrifices made by country's defence personnel were portrayed on canvas by renowned artists from different parts of the country. During the seven-day workshop titled 'Shaurya Gatha' that was jointly organised by Swaraj Sansthan Sanchalya and Madhya Pradesh Tribal Museum at the Tribal Museum began on August 12 and concluded on August 19. Various artists put up their work on canvas. For some it was a tribute to the martyrs while for others it was an expression of a different form of art.
The exhibition not only provided a chance to the Bhopalites to get acquainted with a different form of art and artists but also encouraged budding artists and young students to get inspiration and ideas to move ahead in their field and get aware of the sacrifices made by the soldiers. Culture Director Shriram Tiwari, talking to Viva City said "through this workshop we have tried to pay tribute and show respect to the soldiers who have sacrificed their lives for the country." These paintings will be kept as a legacy and will not be sold. The artists have been selected on the basis of their contribution to the field of art. As many as 20 artists hailing from different parts of the country participated in this workshop.
Programme in-charge Rajesh Kohli said the participants presented the brave and courageous stories of the defence personnel on canvas. We had a target of getting 25-30 paintings. This was met. Each artist has given two paintings. Material for the paintings is being provided by us. These paintings will be displayed in the Bravery Memorial (Shaurya Smarak) near Chinar Park in Arera Hills area. This is the first stage of the work being done for the memorial and several other works will be planned in the future.
Artist Rahul Mukherjee from Vadodra says "I wanted to show respect to the martyrs through my painting and I have tried to put it on canvas. Describing his painting, Mukherjee said that despite depiction of war in my painting, I have I have tried to put in my feelings of respect for the martyrs." I am making the painting of late Brigadier Mohammed Usman, part of 50 Para Brigade and Subedar Ajit Singh of the Sikh Regiment who have been honoured with Mahavir Chakra posthumously," he further added.
Born in 1978 in New Delhi, Mukherjee received his Bachelor's degree in Fine Art (painting) from the College of Art, New Delhi in 1999, and his Master's degree from the Faculty of Fine Arts, Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda, in 2001. Mukherjee held his first solo exhibition titled 'Underlined' at Arushi Art Gallery, New Delhi, in 2007. The recent group exhibitions in which his works have been featured include 'Hub 2008: A Contemporary Parampara' at the Faculty of Fine Arts, Maharaja Sayajirao University, Baroda, in 2008; '5 Artists of Baroda' at Jahangir Art Gallery, Mumbai, in 2008; 'Beyond Boundaries' presented by Arushi Arts, New Delhi, at the Gallery in Cork Street, london, in 2008; 'Out of India- Contemporary Paintings from India' at Asian Arts Gallery, Towson, Maryland, in 2007; 'Mapping Baroda' at Art Room Gallery, New Delhi, in 2007; and 'Detour' at Galleries 88, Mumbai, in 2005.
Senior artist Vijay Achrekar from Mumbai says "a writer expresses his work through his writings and we painters express it through our paintings." I have made portraits of Subedar Major Bana Singh and Krishan Gopal, honoured with Param Vir Chakra and Maha Vir Chakra, respectively. Born in 1967, Vijay Achrekar completed a Diploma in Drawing & Painting from l S Raheja School of Art, Mumbai in 1988. He has won several awards, including The Art Society of India Award - 1990, 1991, 1994, 1995, The Maharashtra Government Award for Portraiture in 1987, and the Bombay Art Society Award for Portraiture in 1996. He has also exhibited his solo works in Jahangir Art Gallery, Mumbai; Nehru Centre, Mumbai; City Café Gallery, Baltimore, USA, and Crimson Art Gallery, Bangalore. His works have also been featured in several group shows.
"I have come here from Kolkata and I am happy to be part of it." I am making the portrait of Devender Singh, honoured with Maha Vir Chakra and through my work I have paid tribute to the martyrs who fought for India, said Artist Diptish Ghosh Dastidar hailing from Kolkata. Diptish has been awarded National Scholarship Award and also has exhibited works in Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai and Delhi.
Suhas Bahulkar has come with different attitude to the workshop. Suhas said that the freedom struggle by revolutionaries and the sacrifices made by today's jawans' had the same spirit. The Britishers and now the politicians don't care for the sacrifices of the martyrs. This should stop. It is our duty to respect the martyrs who fearlessly fight for our security. Giving details of his paintings, Bahulkar said that "I have tried to portray the gallantry of the martyrs in my painting.
Born in Maharashtra in 1954, Suhas secured GD Art from JJ school of Art in 1974 and worked as a lecturer there till 1995. His work finds a place in Savarkar Smarak Museum, Pune, 'Ram Darshan' at Chitrakoot, etc. garnering a lot of appreciation. Sachida Nagdev, senior artist hailing from Bhopal while talking about his recent work done for the workshop 'Shaurya Gatha', says a lot of creativity had to be applied in the paintings for the workshop. "We were give small picture of the martyrs and the whole illustration on the canvas had to be made on our own." "It is a small tribute from my side to the martyrs."
Born in 1939 in Ujjain, Nagdev has been inspired since his childhood by old houses, small narrow lanes, old sculptures, etc. His journey from north to south and east to west in the country and countries like Nepal, Europe and Japan has also inspired him a lot. Out of these experiences has emerged large works of 'Death' and 'Gas Tragedy' series. Nagdev also has a love for Indian classical music. His journey in painting has been more than 50 years' old. He has also been awarded with 'Shikhar Samman' of MP government 1997.