Ramesh Gorjala’s Deific Deities

 

When Tirupati Balaji temple reverberated with divine incantation and pristine smells, young Ramesh Gorjala was immersed in heavenly hymns and meticulous carvings of Gods and Goddesses, while waiting for his chance to get a glimpse of the deity. Little did he know that this stimulus would inspire him to be an acclaimed artist one day. Being born in the family of weavers in Sri Kalahasthi, his encounter with Kalamkari art form in his early life got him to tap into his artistic potential. He learnt the art of Kalamkari from his famous uncle Balaji Teertham, a PhD in physics and National awardee in Kalamkari.

To further satiate his interest in painting, Ramesh Gorjala obtained bachelor’s degree in painting from Jawaharlal Nehru Architecture and Fine Arts University, Hyderabad. Gorjala’s ability to convey multitude of stories on lone frame without bargaining on the grandeur of the protagonist is laudable. There is always one protagonist in his canvas outlining many stories reflected in smaller pockets further. He could make the same deity narrate different stories from Indian mythology on a same canvas and yet kindle curiosity for more. One could beautifully envisage Dasavataram in a single frame outlined by life size Lord Vishnu or two Pandava brothers Arjuna and Bheema aligned to narrate their stories of valor and might. Be it the flying Hanuman fetching the Sanjeevani for injured Lakshmana or Lord Ganesha mirroring his life’s imagery, they never fail to grab the attention of its onlooker. Although, his art has traditional bravura, the white and black checkered box pattern in the backdrop of his central figure adds a modern spice to his work.

He has presented his work in several solo and group exhibitions across the globe. Some of his solo shows include 'Mythological Metaphor' at Chawla Art Gallery, New Delhi, in 2010; ‘Embracing Modernity’ at Mon Art Gallerie, Kolkata, in 2007; and earlier ones in Hyderabad and Bangalore. Group shows including his works have been held in Mumbai, New Delhi, Jaipur, Chennai, Bangalore and London. He is a recipient of Mahatma Gandhi Birth Centenary Memorial Award from the Victoria Technical Institute (V.T.I.), Chennai in 2000, and State Award from the A.P. Crafts Council in 2002.

His paintings are filled with details and precision of celestial figures, so much so that his work is admired across the world with patrons like singer Beyonce or Rajanikanth’s daughter Aishwarya, among many. His unique work of art has impressed PM Modi when he noticed Gorjala’s work on a wedding card and insisted the artist to paint him a Kamadhenu, a “cow of plenty” on a 6’ X 3’ canvas. His 11x64ft artwork adorning the walls of Tirupati airport speak volumes about the Gorjala’s reach. Despite many artists portraying Hindu Gods and Goddesses in their canvases, his motive behind his storytelling canvases is to narrate the lost stories less spoken of. His stories emerge from Ramayana, Mahabharata, Dasavatara and Buddhist scriptures igniting a renewed interest in ancient mythology among its bystanders.

As a student then and an artist now, his enthusiasm to learn and create has not budged an inch. Despite subtle resentment and apprehension at his family, he kept following his muse. He learnt diligently in his college from his professors, attended as many exhibitions and shows of masters as possible and practiced techniques. Once he created a style of his own and got recognized, there was no looking back. He enjoys experimenting with his brush on several divine themes. He even created a series called ‘Eye of Faith’ after seeking inspiration from Opthomologist Dr. Gangadhara Reddy’s intricate photographs of human eye. Today his parents are proud of his accomplishments and are elated to see his patrons love his work. He has few upcoming projects up his sleeves like series on landscape and ‘ Vahanas (vehicles) of God’, among others.

Looking back at how far Gorjala has come through his sheer talent, his gratitude for almighty humbles him, while he looks forward for more exciting and stimulating future. He lives and works in Sri kalahasthi away from hustle and bustle of city life, where he finds tranquility of nature and divine, together whispering ideas in his ears.

M F Husain – Billboard painter to Billionaire

Maqbul Fida Husain was born on 17^th September 1915 in Pandharpur town of Maharashtra to Suleman Bohra family. Having lost his mother very early in his life, his canvases as a full fletched artist later, often resonated blurred memory of her in the form of faceless nurturing figures. He moved to Indore with his father and step mother to study in Indore Arts College and eventually started his higher education in J J School of Arts, Mumbai. But it was his billboard painting days that paced him to be a fast artist with better perspective reasoning his life-size works of art later. He even designed toys and furniture to support himself financially. During his days in J J School of Arts, he, along with Souza, Raza, Ara, Gade and Bakre pioneered Progressive artists group in 1947, meant for modern artists with independent thoughts in India. His painting bagged the best painting award at Bombay Art Society which kept his hope and fire alive.

Being one of the luminaries in the art world, he was known as ‘India’s Picasso’. His canvases often spun around Mother, Madhuri, Madonna and Mohini, among others. While a successful man is said to have a woman behind, Husain clearly had many women behind his successful paintings. Women in his works are the epitome of strength and sacrifice, often representing the modern idiom of Sakthi and Prakruthi. Husain’s paintings were frequently pumped with his roots and Indianness in his modified cubist style. He was an artist who picked his narrative from indian folklores and mythology despite his religion and represented them as creative visual treats for the onlookers. Be it the reflection of Kerala, God’s own country or the grandeur of Royal palaces of Jaisalmer, this barefoot artist effortlessly portrayed it below his brush.  Husain’s signature style horses were strong and free spirited that pepped the mood of its spectators. The size of his works was larger than life often echoing flamboyant images brimming with personality, character and an inspiring tale.

Husain may have created more than 50,000 paintings in his lifetime and his works have extensively travelled across the globe to be exhibited, auctioned or even gifted. He has exhibited his works round the globe including in Sao Paulo Biennale in 1971, the Contemporary Indian Art exhibition at the Royal Academy, London, in 1982 and the India, Myth and Reality: Aspects of Contemporary Indian Art exhibition at the MoMA, New York, in 1982, Epic India: Paintings by M. F. Husain’, Herwitz Collection of Contemporary Indian Art, Peabody Essex Museum, Salem, MA in 2007, The World is my Canvas', organised by Museum of Islamic Art (MIA), Qatar Foundation and as part of 2010 Arab Capital of Culture.  Aside from being a zealous artist he tried his flair in movie making and created his film 'Through the Eyes of a Painter’ in 1967 that won the Golden Bear in International Berlin Film Festival and a National award for Best experimental film, India. His movie ‘Gaja Gamini’ with actress Madhuri Dixit was a critically acclaimed film.

The renowned artist has been bestowed with India’s highest honours Padma Sri, Padma Bhushan, Padma Vibhushan for his outstanding contribution in the field of art. He is also been awarded Raja Ravi Varma award by Kerala Government, among others. He served as an Indian member of Parliament from 1986 to 1992. Despite being a renowned artist, he had his share of controversies that separated him from his mother land he so cherished. His painting depicting the map of India as nude woman titled bharat mata created controversy that pushed him to leave India, although he claimed it was not his title. He lived in Doha, Dubai and London in his later years, while his heart was in India. A supreme court ruling in 2008 vindicated him of all charges, yet the fear of vandalism by mobs barricaded his return. He was often quoted saying ‘I am an Indian origin painter and will remain so till my last breath’. He breathed his last at the age of 95 years in 2011 at London. Though it was a great loss to world, he left a legacy that boasts of multi religious country with robust women and men acting as pillars, through his visual narratives on canvas. His energy was unceasing even in his 90s, he kept travelling the world, making friends and creating works of art until his heart literally stopped beating.

MF Husain not only revolutionised Indian modern art, but he transcended the tacit limit set upon price tags of Indian art works. He refused to sell his work small, making himself loud and clear that works of Indian artists are worth a fortune akin to their international counterparts. He sold his work on ‘mother Teresa’ for whooping 4 lacs despite all the initial frowns and chuckles. Today, several Indian artists are able to sell their works at sizable price tags in international markets with pride, thanks to Husain’s efforts.  Husain was a very generous man, who often gifted his works to friends without worrying about any yields. Despite all the money and fame, he kept himself grounded to his roots. He never forgot his humble beginning as a billboard painter who struggled for three square meals a day. From a poor village boy to India’s richest artist, his story is truly inspiring that whispers hope to everyone who dares to dream.

Sai Ratna Manjari

Ganesh Pyne and his art of melancholy

Ganesh Pyne’s canvas often resonates the uncomfortable yet inevitable side of living beings, ‘Death’. Being a contemporary artist of Bengal school, his very Indian yet dark artworks revolve around the legends and lore of Bengal. Having been born and brought up in Kolkata’s decaying buildings and listening to stories narrated by his grandmother about Bengali folklores and reading through Bengali Children’s magazines, his imagination received wings that was hard to contain. However, it was Kolkata riots during pre-independence time in 1946 that left a lasting impression on his 9 years old brain, when he encountered countless dead bodies piled one over the other. This incident moulded his artistic fancy destine towards shady imagery and eerie fantasy.

Born in 1937, Pyne joined Government college of Arts and Craft in 1959 after finishing school and was particularly drawn towards the skeletal remains of humans and animals. This eventually became the subject of his canvas with death being the epicentre of his paintings. In 1960s he started his career at Mandar Mullick’s studio by working as a book illustrator and sketching for animated movies. He also joined Society of Contemporary Artists. It was hard to make ends meet those days as he had little money to buy colours. Yet he kept drawing with pen and ink. His first painting was titled ‘Winter morning’ picturing him and his brother going to school together. Although, he was a calm and composed man outside, his art was rebellious, venting his anger and dismay in the form of skull, cadavers, creepy faces in the backdrop of dark and blue shades. He even depicted less noticed mythological characters like Amba, Ekalavya and others whose life was reflective of miseries and curse. His art is a visual tour to the horrors perceived and experienced by him and his characters. Pyne started with watercolour but eventually moved to gouache and later to tempera as his medium.

However, Pyne did not always make shady paintings, some of his early works in watercolours drew inspiration from Abhinandranath, Hals Rembrandt and Paul Klee’s work. Nevertheless, it was his unique work of shady art that brought him fame. He often drew inspiration from traditional Indian puppetry, drama and movies. All his works resonate death either in its hues or figures. Frayed buildings cry out loud its uncanny past, a solitary fisherman is seen trapped in his own fishing net, while a distant trader sees his own shadow as death. Be it flickering lights or beheaded hero or predator approaching a prey; all speak one truth, that death is inevitable. Despite producing successful works in 1970s, he stayed away from the public eye for a while due to the envy & bitterness among his peers and commercialism in art industry. He was a man who often kept himself away from limelight and chose to exhibit his work in limit. As an artist he preferred to paint but not commercialize it. It was only after his marriage that he realized the importance of life & love and broke his bubble to come out and express. In fact, his first solo exhibition was held in his 50s.

As a painter and draughtsman, he exhibited his works in several solo and group shows across nation and the world. His work was received well and was often appreciated for his style. He was bestowed with many awards for his work including the Raja Ravi Varma award from Kerala Government and Life time achievement award by Indian Chamber of Commerce. Ganesh Pyne’s life has been an inspiration to many which is why many books have been published discussing his works and life. A movie by Buddhadeb Dasgupta on Ganesh Pyne’s life ‘A Painter of Eloquent Silence: Ganesh Pyne’ received National award for Best Arts movie in 1998. He was a critically acclaimed artist, who was described as ‘a poet of melancholia’ by art critic Ranjit Hoskote, while the celebrated artist M F Hussain described him as ‘India’s best artist’. Though a man of few words, his brush was verbose with reality of life seeping through it for the world to look at. He breathed his last in 2013, but he left his thoughts on the canvas for the world to see and savour for eternity.

Sai Ratna Manjari