The magic of Banyan tree

The magic of the Banyan Tree, an enduring symbol of knowledge, protection and immortality, has been captured by noted artist Aparna Bidsaria through a series of evocative paintings that stand out for sheer brilliance of colours and profoundness of thoughts.

The Indore-based artist uses her colours and canvas to capture the enchanting Banyan tree in its myriad forms: the roots of the tree descend from its branches and anchor it to the ground by eventually transforming into trunks while the branches move heavenward in a cosmic balance.

Aparna, who has been painting for 10 years, uses charcoal, pastel, ink and acrylic as medium to capture the cool and quiet of the Banyan or Bargad's shadows as well as the intensity of sunrays filtering through its dense leaves.

The ten-day exhibition, curated by Uma Nair which had a total of 30 paintings done in monochromes, colours and distant impressionist hues at display was held at the Shridharani Gallery, Triveni Kala Sangam and will conclude on April 26.

Brooding in serene silence like a Yogi, unruffled by the elemental fury and onslaughts of time, knotted roots cascading down from its expansive girth to embrace earth while branches reaching out to the skies in a cosmic balance, the banyan tree has fascinated storytellers, philosophers and spiritualists over the age. One of the key themes Aparna hoped to express through her art was the unique heritage and the natural spirit that could be found in the rural elegance of the banyan.

"Aparna moves beyond territory of both Eastern and Western artistic techniques, delicate dots and lines are employed to denote shape and form against a pointillist background that echoes of the past and present melding to give us studies on the banyan that are glimpsed in the time zone of sunrises and sunsets. The banyan for Aparna is a testament to her continued search for the best means through which to represent the culture and natural habitat through the beauty of the banyan," said Uma Nair.