IN SEARCH OF LIFE BEYOND REALITY

NAGUESH RAO SARDESSAI

Ruchika’s Art Gallery, Miramar, is currently hosting an exhibition of paintings by four emerging artists with varied styles and creative concepts. This blend of interesting variety offers fresh plate of ideas that satisfy the urge of a genuine art lover. It is interesting to note that these creative fellows have established conceptual posturing which gives them an independent identity.N. Kanhaiya, Rajesh Chodankar and Aadhi Vishal have graduated from the Goa College of Art, Altinho before going their own way. Rajesh is currently a visiting faculty member at the Goa College of Art whereas Kanhaiya teaches art to school student in a city based institute. Vishal is a full fledged professional painter. Kurukshetra, Haryana based Ram Viranjan has doctorate in art to decorate his credentials and has vast teaching experience to back him.

If Kanhaiya is concerned with social issues then Rajesh speaks through traditional forms and Vishal is enamoured by life in general and the feminine aspect that pervade in particular. Ram’s paintings have a mystical touch.


Preoccupied with social issues Kanhaiya visits and documents the complexities of life in a pictorial format with sometimes daringly unique compositions that challenge the established conventions. His concern of the current issues in the society and the impact on children get translated on to the canvas using contemporary forms. He expects the viewer’s to mull over and come up with solutions. With local elements and bright multi-hued palette his canvases exhibit typical Indian culture and the essence of this land.

Rajesh, on the other hand, speaks through the traditional forms. Pitching into the reservoir of rich pictorial icons and symbols primarily identified with the Sanatan Dharma, he successfully converts them into universally acceptable forms. His drawings exhibit his flair for lines and powerful draftsmanship. From indulging in water colours and painting landscapes with the felicity of an expert before his self-imposed exile, Rajesh has come to employ more creative elements and decorative forms to express his ideas. Young and enthusiastic Aadhi Vishal’s works display his journey in exploring the nuance of life and the feminine aspect embedded therein. He is involved and busy in pursuing the meaning of life and his journey into this is documented in a very fluid manner with symbols and vocabulary he has developed on his own. He is quite successful in articulating his ideas and concepts. Diving into the deep recesses of the subconscious, Aadhi Vishal speaks through metaphors by incorporating the tangible forms. Stylistically surrealistic, he employs decorative elements similar to the miniature paintings.

Ram Viranjan’s imagery is in sync with Aadhi Vishal’s making them look like long lost siblings in the artistic fair. With doctorate in art, Ram obviously infuses refinement in his works and exudes quality. Ram’s mystical forms with emphasis on the feminine element invite and leave the viewer with a pleasant feeling. His draftsmanship is commendable. Neat application of pigment, softness of pastel shades and the astute use of appealing forms like parrots, flowers, and so on collectively accentuate Ram’s maturity. His paintings are pregnant with feminine aspirations.Each of these artists, with independent and individual preoccupations and styles, are on the artistic lane to chart a new identity of their own.
The show is on till January 7, 2009.