The many moods of lotus ponds

The Changing Mood of the Lotus Pond and Insignificant Incarnations, a distinctive exhibition of paintings and drawings by A. Ramachandran is being presented by Vadehra Art Gallery at Delhi’s Shridharani Art Gallery, Triveni Kala Sangam.

The seven large paintings of the lotus ponds are a distillation of Ramachandran’s aquatic locations scattered around t he Udaipur countryside. Through the decades, the artist has painted several facets of the lotus ponds and each time he has brought to the surface some special aspect of the visual drama offered by the lotus pools. The collection of paintings being shown highlights the life cycle of these beautiful plants. Ramachandran explores their sensuous beauty, their complex forms and perceives them as a subject for displaying his magical mastery over visual language.

If the paintings of lotus ponds offer an enchanted vision, then the suite of ten drawings, Insignificant Incarnations evokes its own sense of poetry. Ramachandran often uses the same element in the creation of his mythic spaces. These elements include a luxuriant, vegetal world abuzz with insects, birds, animal life, a woman who is the embodiment of an energising life force, fantastic rock formations, a water pot and the artist, who is present as both as an observer and a participant. Even though Ramachandran is a great colourist, his powerful command over lines and his witty, lively, lyrical imagination are so unique that we do not miss his rich play of colours in these drawings.

B o r n i n 1 9 3 5 , Ramachandran studied art at Kala Bhavana, Visva Bharati University, Santiniketan. He lives and works in Delhi. The exhibition will be on view at Delhi’s Shridharani Gallery, Triveni Kala Sangam till 2 December