Natura, Towards Satori, Pitara and more..

NEWS

The New Dawn

(work on display)

Dhoomimal City Gallery, New Delhi is hosting a group art exhibition titled, ‘The New Dawn’ that will showcase art works by renowned contemporary artists like Tota Viakuntam, Bikash Poddar, Anand Panchal and Shuvendu Sarkar and also sculptures by Pushpa Devi.

The exhibition will have 25 creations by these artists that are visual delights. With each colour, line and strokes on the canvas, these artists have created a piece of their imagination and creativity. Overall, this art exhibition is a celebration of artistic expression and a chance for the art enthusiasts to explore the same.

The show is on view till 31st December 2013.

Natura

( work on display)

Gallery Pradarshak, Mumbai presents the debut solo show fo artist Dhimant Vyas, at the Hirji Jehangir Art Gallery, Mumbai. The solo titled, ‘Natura’ has on display the artist works with a new style synthesized from a fusion of folk art and imaginative world art. At its base are Mother Nature and her many fascinating representations in Indian folk art. She anchors this series, probably representing the artist's deep concern about her erosion in our race for urbanization and a sense of urgency to get reconnected with her.

The artist has used the medium of Arches and Fabriano paper and water colours to bring out the richness of form and colour, along with gold foil.

The show is on view till 1st of January 2014.

Pitara

Lalit Kala Akademi, New Delhi presents a group show of eminent artists’ works titled ‘Pitara’. The show displays the paintings and sculptures of the well known contemporary artists of the country.

The participating artists include, Arpan Chakraborty, Debashish Sarkar, Gangadhar Mahato, Manoj Kumar Paswan, Suman Singha Roy, Soumen Bhowmick and
Tanoy Choudhury.

The show is to commence on 5th January and will be on view till 11th January 2014.

Towards Satori

(work on display)

Artists’ Centre, Mumbai presents a solo show of art works by painter Ruby Ahluwalia. A senior bureaucrat and an accomplished motivational speaker, Ruby is a cancer survivor and through her art in the show titled, ‘Towards Satori’ she expresses her journey of survival from a state of yearning to a state of bliss.

The show is on view till 5th January 2014.

( News reports by Sushma Sabnis)

FEATURE

Drawing attention

The exhibition ‘Anna Gari Bommala Koluvu’ reflects artist Balakoteswara Rao’s love for (late) NTR

(Water colour paintings of NTR)

Here is a tribute to (late) NTR by city-based artist Katti Balakoteswara Rao. He has filled his canvases with drawings and water colour paintings of the actor/politician at an exhibition titled ‘Annagari Bommala Koluvu’ at the State Art Gallery. Each work looks unique and reflects his love for NTR. “I have lost count of the number of times I have watched Pathala Bhairavi and Missamma,” says Koteswara Rao as he points towards a water colour painting of NTR in the famous role of Thota Ramudu from the classic movie. “He was such a great actor. His face was his asset and could depict myriad emotions through them,” says Koteswara Rao in awe.

( water colour paintings of actor NTR)

All the memorable characters of NTR have been depicted — Gireesam in Kanyasulkam, a meek teacher in Missamma, Lord Rama, Krishna, an anguished king and father in Lava Kusa, Duryodhana, Krishnadevaraya, Brahmanaidu — these almost perfect replicas are precise and reflect an experienced hand. The drawings minutely depict every face line and strand of hair and captures NTR’s style. The hall is filled with 160 works which includes 120 drawings and 30 watercolours. There are two drawings — one of NTR’s parents and the other of his brother Trivikram Rao among the exhibits.

Hailing from Addanki in Prakasham district, Koteswara Rao is doing his Ph. D in folk art from Potti Sreeramulu Telugu University. Interestingly, this is his first solo exhibition, and he is glad his first exhibition is on his ‘hero’.

(Kati Bala Koteshwara Rao at the gallery)

Art has been Koteswara Rao’s passion since childhood. He likes to draw ‘happy works which even a common man can enjoy.’ “I believe art is not just for the artist but also for common people. I do not want to draw abstract works which is for only a niche audience. I want my art to be simple and appreciated by all,” he smiles. Koteswara Rao promises more exhibitions on NTR. “I will do different art works for a living and works on NTR just for my satisfaction,” he says.

All his works will come out in the form of a book titled ‘Anna Gari Bommalakoluvu’ to be released next month.

The exhibition at State Art Gallery is on till January 1, 2014.

( Report by Neeraja Murthy, Photos by Nagara Gopal for The Hindu)