Artistic tribute to Maihar
Globally celebrated Delhi-based artist and Padmashree awardee Paresh Maity has once again created a wonder in art.
A 34-feet high, 20 feet long and 8 feet wide sculpture titled 'Maihar' is a marvel in steel and brass. It is an artistic tribute to Maihar –punya -bhoomi of the Maa Sharda shaktipeeth and the karmabhoomi of Ustad Allauddin Khan, musical maestro who founded the Maihar gharana of Hindustani classical music.
"I invited Maity to install this sculpture to celebrate the 4th anniversary of Art Ichol. His sculpture builds a creative link between the spiritual and temporal heritage of Maihar. Soaring 34 feet from above the round, the sculpture is both imposing and endearing. Through this latest work, Maity creates a fascinating link between the past and future, which we can relish in the present," said Ambica Beri, founder, Art Ichol.
The sculpture has been installed in the sprawling lawns of Art Ichol, a world-class multi-arts centre spread over five acres and equipped with an art gallery, a bronze foundry, stone and wood carving workshops, ceramic and pottery centre amongst other attractions.
In the last four years, since its inception, artists, writers, photographers and filmmakers have thronged Art Ichol, making it a melting pot of creative exploration.
Speaking about the work, 54-year-old Maity said, "When I first visited Maihar on Ambica's invitation during a residency, I also visited the Maa Sharda Shaktipeeth and the Maihar School of music. Since then, creating something that was a fitting tribute to both had been on my mind. The open air sculpture garden at Art Ichol was just the place to install this piece."
It took Maity 13 months to create the sculpture as an amalgamation of musical instruments and the temple adorned with bells almost akin to thedevi's bejeweled persona.
Maity has had over 75 solo shows including; 'Shesh Lekha – The Last poems of Rabindranath Tagore' a tribute in water colours by Paresh Maity to commemorate the 150th birth anniversary of Nobel Laureate Rabindranath Tagore at NGMA Delhi and Mumbai in 2011. He has participated in several prestigious shows in India and aboard.
