RETHINKING REALISM

Rethinking Realism - an exhibition featuring the works of contemporary Indian artists, is on at The Easel Art Gallery. Featuring the works of around 35 artists from all parts of the country, the exhibition is in varied media; from etchings to oils, water colours to mixed media.

Each artist has taken his own viewpoint of the theme- 'realism'. Some have infused their paintings with a breathtaking brilliance, some works seem a confusion of ideas, some display a clear humanistic strain, while only a few make a strong impact as regards the theme.

The works of D. Ebenezer are worth a special mention, (for instance, his portrait, titled Mr. Prinz). So also P. B. Hasoor's works - 'Untold' and 'My face'. Pramothes Chandra, Anjan Das, T. Ramadoss and Apoorva Desai are the other artists whose works made an impact. Dipankar Ray's works were marked by the use of rich, vivid colours and strong, bold strokes.

Hari Sinha's mixed media on canvas, depicting a flute, was an eye-catcher. Ramachandra Pokale's works exude a humaneness that seems so tangible. 'The past memories' and 'House full problem' emerge easily as the best of the lot.

On view till 21st October. Timings: 10.00 a.m to 7.00 p.m

Ten avatars of Lord Vishnu, carved on rice grains!

Impossible, we think. But not for T. K. Moorthy who has carved the miniature gods on such a small scale that this piece can be accommodated within one's palm.

The miniature gods, now exhibited at the Victoria Technical Institute, are carved out of tiny rice grains (three to six millimetres in size) and joined meticulously to shape the figures. On each of the avatars, different colours are given to distinguish face, eyes, nose and apparel. The crown, upper garment, bow, arrow, sword, umbrella and flute are differentiated with fine copper wire, gold coloured silken thread and very small bits of sandalwood pieces, in conformity with Shilpa Shastra (Art of Sculpting). All the ten miniature rice carvings of Dasaavatharam (Ten Avatars) are housed on a pedestal (Peedam) made out of rosewood, which is placed in the Vasantha Mandapam (specially made enclosure) decorated with very fine carvings of sandalwood.

It took nearly six months for the Chennai-born artist to complete this work for the Mahatma Gandhi Birth Centenary Memorial Awards organised by Victoria Technical Institute every year. The award is presented to the best artists and craft persons from Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala and Pondicherry.

The series has been priced at Rs1.51 lakh.

Address: Victoria Technical Institute, 765, Anna Salai, Chennai 600 002.

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