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A show of canvases and sculptures that pay tribute to iconic Indian leaders
Delhi-based artist Rita Jhunjhunwala is set to pay tribute to extraordinary men and women from myriad spectrums of society, including arts and science, politics and business, religion and spirituality, through her upcoming exhibition.
Titled Immortals, the art show includes 35 large works in acrylic and charcoal on paper, acrylic and mixed media on canvas and sculptural installations in wood. Jhunjhunwala places these portraits against backgrounds that are executed in her trademark brush strokes, subtle and evocative of emotions, incidents and symbols associated with each person. For instance, Mahatma Gandhi’s portrait (incidentally also her first in this series) recreates moments from the Salt March while another candid work captures the Mahatma’s affectionate relationship with Jawaharlal Nehru. Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel’s portrait is packed with symbols of strength, Subhash Chandra Bose’s portrait lights up with the colours of nationalism and JRD Tata’s portrait is easily recognisable as a man of the industry. Tagore gazes calmly at a cascade of books while Mother Teresa is all about compassion and harmony. Other giants featured in the exhibition include MF Husain, Kishori Amonkar, Swami Vivekananda, CV Raman, Ramkrishna Paramhansa, Amrita Sher-Gil and APJ Abdul Kalam.
This is Jhunjhunwala’s 18th solo exhibition.
The artist says that there’s a lot that goes into creating a portrait. She has met some of these stalwarts briefly as a child, and she reads up relevant literature on others before executing the work. She, especially, remembers her meeting with APJ Abdul Kalam who acquired a Buddha work for the President House while in office.
“This exhibition of portraits of some extraordinary people, who are no more with us, is my humble way of paying tribute to them,” says the artist, adding, “For me, its (this exhibition) recovery of faith in humanity at a time when our moral, spiritual, cultural and social values are rapidly shrinking.”