'Bapu' through eyes of artists

Mahatma Gandhi's 150th birth anniversary is being celebrated by the country's premier Arts body the Lalit Kala Akademi through various commemorative exhibitions, lectures and Artiste summits since October, 2018.

The Akademi is holding a grand exhibition on the Mahatma from October 2 to October 22, 2019, at its art galleries situated in Rabindra Bhavan, Mandi House. In he exhibition titled 'Bapu through the eyes of Artists', more than 100 pieces of artistic expression of gratitude to Gandhi ji will be displayed in the fortnight long art exhibition.

The artists have depicted the life and principles of the Mahatma which include peace and non-violence through their art.

The programme shall include a workshop each on the painting and waste paper.

The workshops will also be inaugurated on October 2 by the Anil Baijal, Lieutenant Governer of Delhi in the presence of Akademi's Chairman, Dr Uttam Pacharne and participating artists as well as the art critics and art lovers.

The exhibition is being organised with active support of the J J School of Art, Mumbai and the Progressive Art Gallery New Delhi. The exhibition is curated by Art Critic Uma Nair.

PM Narendra Modi while wishing the best for the exhibition, stated that the life of Mahatma Gandhi was very inspiring for every human being. Prahlad Singh Patel, Union Minister of State for Culture has also sent his best wishes for the exhibition and described it useful for character building of the upcoming generations.

Speaking about the exhibition, Dr Uttam Pacharne, Chairman, Lalit Kala Akademi said, "The 150 years of Mahatma Gandhi's birth are a centurion milestone. We deem ourselves very fortunate to be able to remember the Mahatma through the eyes of the Artists. Gandhi ji is more than a conscience keeper. He is a true torch bearer of humanity, peace and non violence. He taught us the lessons of truth, peace and tolerance."

"This exhibition shall compel us to think about his contribution to humanity and freedom of India and imbibe his principles in our own life. It is about sense of duty towards the deprived sections of the society," he added.

The inaugural function shall include the release of exhibition's catalogue.

Highlights of the event:

Sculpture and installation: Four Gandhi sculptures of Padma Bhushan Ram V Sutar, Khadi and paper origami installation by architect artist Ankon Mitra.

Paintings by artists

including Arpana Caur, Satish Gupta, Paresh Maity, Dipto Narayan Chatterjee, Sudip Roy, Simran KS Lamba, to name a few will be displayed.

Drawings: Adwaita Gadanayak DG, NGMA, drawing from 1990, Sanjay Bhattacharya drawing and collage by Jagannath Panda will also be displayed.

Printmakers: Jagdeesh Tammineni two prints, Dattaraye Apte zinc plate, Subrat Behra's Gandhi, Hemavathy Guha 3 prints-The Leader and Anandmoyi Bannerjee's print.

Ceramics section will have Keshari Nandan and Manjari Sharma's work


Photography: Ram Rahman Bhupen Khakhar, Gigi Scaria Photo Division 10 archival prints.