KAMA THROUGH KALA

 

NAGUESH  RAO  SARDESSAI

“The mystery of human existence lies not in just staying alive, but in finding something to live for,” thus said Fyodor Mikhaylovich Dostoyevsky, Russian novelist, journalist, and short-story writer.

Dilesh Hazare’s ‘Purusharth’ – an exhibition of paintings and sculptures at the Kala Academy, Goa – explores the profound truth that remains the cornerstone of human existence. 

Hinduism, the oldest and spiritually refined faith with liberal stream of thought explores and expounds many of these philosophical realities. This faith has touched upon the prosaic as well as the profound in equal measures and Dilesh, a keen student of religion in general and spirituality in particular, has transformed his influence into art works. 

An artist who has been preoccupied with capturing the natural beauty of Goa through watercolour landscapes and fiddling with other stray subjects, Dilesh, one fine day, was seized with the mysteries of existence and the human role in it.
Mentally occupied with the above-mentioned theme and physically honing his draftsmanship by sketching inadvertently as a matter of habit, Dilesh saw few queries opening up.
‘Dharma, Artha, Kama and Moksha are the four Purushartha which form the pillars of our existence as per our shastras,’ explains Dilesh. ‘And Kama remains the most misunderstood. This aspect inspired me to explore Kama in the philosophical sense and give it a concrete visual structure.’
Dilesh has put up twenty of his charcoal works, executed on paper, and five fiberglass sculptural pieces for the show. Each of these drawings exudes palpable energy that is sure to inspire the viewers. Forceful swirling and deft strokes emerge in an enticingly rhythmic pattern that guide the onlooker and captivate at the same time.
These works exhibit Dilesh’s understanding of chiaroscuro and exposes his skill in manipulating the negative and positive space to arrive at the desired visual structure. The forms in the works merge and emerge effortlessly, throwing up novel reality at every juncture. Human figures (male-female), devoid of cognizable features, intertwine and prostrate on the virgin picture surface inviting the viewers’ into their world.
Dilesh has attempted to explore the aspect of kama which is popularly understood as sexual pleasure and popularized through ‘Kama Sutra’. In Hinduism, kāma is regarded as the third of the four canonical (Purushartha) goals of life whilst the other being, Dharma (duty), Artha (worldly status, prosperity) and Moksha (salvation).
‘Understanding this much misunderstood aspect of life remained my goal during the creation of these works,’ says Dilesh with intense passion. His figurative works enveloped with mysterious aura call for attention. Very overt in his views and open to new ideas, Dilesh is unapologetic about bringing the whispered subject out from the closet.
The sculptural pieces, washed in bronze hue, carry the stylistic similarity. They ask for personal audience.
Dilesh, a graduate in Applied Art from the Goa College of Art, Altinho and armed with a Diploma in 2D and 3D animation from C-DAC, Pune, came down to Goa – his motherland – after a brief stint in Mumbai. He is currently teaching art at the St. Joseph’s Institute, Vasco besides pursuing his passion of drawing and painting.
The current show will be on view till February 21, 2014. 
 

       

MAHARAJA

 NAGUESH  RAO  SARDESSAI

Sara Khalafi, from Tehran, Iran, is currently showing her works at the ‘Art Resort Gallery’ in Palolem, Canacona.

Titled ‘Maharajas’, Sara – an award winning painter and graphic artist – decided to pay tribute to these Indian gentries who have been a point of curiosity and awe in her hometown. ‘The Maharajas with their pompous and rich lifestyle and luxurious palaces remain to be the point of fascination and subject of discussion in Iran,’ says Sara in a reverential tone.

‘My visit to India, over a year back, changed my perception,’ admits Sara. ‘My travel to several magnificently huge and amazingly beautiful palaces across the length and breadth of this country, witnessing ruins, besides going through the historical data opened a new vista and triggered a creative spark.’

These works here, at Canacona, is the outcome of this creative nudge. The viewers in Goa have an opportunity to understand non-Indian perception and worldview of our nation. Sara offers her independent views, of Indian culture and history, through these uniquely painted portraits.

Sara, a graduate in painting from the Azad University, Tehran and postgraduate in Graphic Design from Soureh University, Tehran has been a part of important art workshops and recipient of award.

She has shown in several group shows in Tehran and India. Notable amongst these are ‘Keep Our Planet Alive’ supported by the Directorate of Art & Culture, Goa, India in 2013; ‘White & Black’ at Homa Gallery in Tehran in 2010; ‘Selections from the New Generation’ at Homa Gallery, Tehran in 2007 and 2009; ‘Representation of Persian Painting in Contemporary Painting’ at Mah-e-Mehr Gallery in Tehran in 2007; ‘The fourth International Painting Biennial of the Islamic world’ at Saba Culture & Art Institute in Tehran in 2006.

Rajendra Usapkar, a noted Goan artist and mentor to several upcoming talents in the State, is the coordinator of this non-profit project of ‘Art Resort Gallery’. ‘Through this project, we intend to offer a platform to budding talent and simultaneously invite established artists. The former with a view to expose the young to the art connoisseurs and the latter to satisfy the art enthusiasts,’ explains Rajendra.

Holding this show in the south end of Goa is a deliberate move by Rajendra. ‘I intend to enliven every corner of Goa with the vibrancy of art,’ states Rajendra before adding, ‘To do that, we need to shift focus from the north, where major galleries are based and activities organized, to other unexplored areas like Canacona and several potential places.’

Portraits speak of the specific person, however, Sara’s portraits project a whole cultural ethos. The show will be on view till February 16, 2014.