Samanantar –II: Touching Lives!!!

Ritanjali Hastir, Associate Editor, 3rd November, 2015

Pablo Picasso – the famous painter’s saying that the artist is a receptacle for emotions that come from all over the place: from the sky, from the earth, from a scrap of paper, from a passing shape, from a spider’s web seem to hold good especially in context to the ongoing painting exhibition Samanantar –II being showcased at Gaiety Theatre’s Shimla. This exhibition is a fine example of blend of thoughts and techniques as seven dynamic artists including Pooja Sharma, Nikhil Bansal, Nitin Kalyaniya, Susheel Chauhan, Chaman Thakur, Sandeep Kumar and Dharmendra Thakur display their talent.

The wide range of thoughts may that be modern contemporary fusion of European and Indian Mughal Art using different styles of patterns along with some decorative elements to make it aesthetically more beautiful in work of Nikhil or bring one back close to the roots, that is Nature in form of birds and animals as showcased by Pooja. Her work hasn’t remained untouched with the female expression as the streak of feminism was quite visible, whereas, the work of Dharminder too, makes one feel the calmness of mountains and hills.

On the other hand, Chaman showcased modern abstract work trying to create his own style. The work displayed had uniqueness of its own and among some of the best works of artist in form of abstract figurative artworks on paper.

Susheel’s modern contemporary work with some figurative realistic approach along with beauty of nature and Himalayan, too made people fall in love with his work. Last but not the least Sandeep’s modern abstract mountains and hills showing his own style, he painted the beautiful of Himalayan and spiritual tones in vivid colours that made hearts of art lovers melt.

With the use of various medium including acrylic, water and poster colours, charcoal and pen, artists have given their imagination a visual identity. The uniqueness of this exhibition was that this time artists were seen painting their own portraits depicting different moods and their personal journey as an individual or as an artist. Nitin’s National Award winner work The Mask also has highlighted the hypocritical approach of people in society on one had were as on the other Nikhil’s Rose has an untold story of friendship and true love for a friend lost to cancer.

Each painting had its own story to narrate if only one has eyes to hear and heart to read and definitely  when one will walk out of the gallery they will be more wiser.