MUSICAL LINES AND MELODIOUS HUES

NAGUESH  RAO  SARDESSAI

“Music in the soul can be heard by the universe.” Thus said Lao Tzu.

Harshada’s Art Gallery, Miramar, is resonating with melodious sound of classical instruments and harmonious rhythm that emanates from the paintings of noted artist from Belgaum, Baburao Nadoni, whose solo show titled ‘Rhythm’ is currently on view.

These paintings are the voice of his soul that is filled with creative excellence, sensitivity and honesty. Quiet and soft spoken, Baburao is an avid music buff with an ability to play several musical instruments such as flute, sitar, organ besides percussion instruments. Influenced and enamored by the intangible yet very structured pattern found in the Indian classical music, it was natural for Baburao to steer towards Abstract genre whilst practicing painting.

Equally exemplary in realistic genre, Baburao’s forte is photo realistic portraits. The current show has a near life-like portrait of His Holiness Sri Sri Vishwa Vallabha Tirtha Swamiji, Pontiff of Sri Sode Vadiraja Mutt, Udupi. This portrait goes beyond the physical and exudes spiritual glow.  Besides this, he has put on display portraits executed in varied styles that include few exhibiting academic approach whilst other pieces bring to fore Baburao’s skill at rapid sketches and public demonstrations.             

Master in Visual Art from the Kannada University, Hampi, Baburao has huge list of accomplishments to their credit. He is a senior lecturer at the Shri. Vivekanand College of Fine Art, Raibag, Belgaum and visits several art institutes as guest lecturer. 

Stylistically and primarily practicing abstract genre, Baburao transplants the nuances of the classical music on to his canvas. He speaks through the deft strokes, supple lines, vivid hues, subtle texture and incoherent yet significantly identifiable forms. These highly stylized, semiabstract forms tease the representational figures they ostensibly relate to, only to steer the viewers into individual comfort zone.

Swift vertical strokes marked with broad flat brush get embellished, at few places, with fine lines and quick blobs of pigment. Vertical form mutates into sitar, or even coconut trees or at times into a flowering plant. Living in the rural setting with nature as company, it’s obvious to find elements from nature and other suggestive elements popping into Baburao’s pictures.

One can witness magical drama and musical intonations whilst viewing Baburao’s paintings that are washed with soft pastel hues intermittently interjected by warm reds, ultramarine blue, lemon yellow etc.

 

When not practicing sitar or flute, Baburao plays music with line, form, hue, and texture etc. Maintaining rhythm and achieving harmony through elements of art is his primary motto. He paints to spread pure joy and happiness.

 

Receiving Karnataka Lalitha Kala Academy Award at a very young age, Baburao went on to win several noted commendations that includes national award from the South central zone cultural centre, Nagpur; Suvarna Karnataka Special Award from the Karnataka Lalitha Kala Academy, Bangalore and Dr. Ambedkar fellowship national award, New Delhi.

He has been an integral part of several art camps and group exhibitions besides holding his solo shows across various cities in India. He is the life member of prestigious Bombay Art Society; founder of C.R.R.A. Education Society, Raibag; member of the Governing Council of Kuvempu University, Shimoga; and the ex-member of the Karnatak Lalit Kala Academy, Bangalore.

The current show has 20 medium sized works on display.

The show will be on till May 3, 2014.