Livable art in pottery is the forte of this artist and her annual show
Naina Arora
Festive season isn’t just a time of celebration but also one that needs us to be more mindful of our indulgences. At a time when the world and our country is shunning the use of single-use plastic and going eco-friendly, here’s an exhibition that features art that is sustainable yet enchanting.
Captivating, majestic and safe for the environment, that’s pottery artist Anju Kumar’s latest collection titled Sacred Symphony. Her annual show displays her artworks that comprise a gold leafing floral mural, swarna mural, boat urli, abstract vases with gold motifs, artworks, table stands, floor lamps, tulsi chauras, pillars, chowkis, and diyas, along with a series of Buddhas in meditative and serene moods, and sculptures of Ganesha.
“Pottery is a tradition we all have grown up with. There are so many things which we have to unlearn, rather than learn
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Timing: Nearest Metro Station: Phase 1 on Rapid Metro now. We are going away from our roots. We should come back with something we have known, enjoyed and decorated,” says Kumar, adding, “I like to work with anything that symbolises positivity such as the lotus and the tree of life, because it’s livable art. Each piece emotes its energy, and that changes the configuration of the place where you live.”
The artist calls her works “meditative” and holds them close to her “heart”. So, when it came to selecting the title, she says, “The title came with a lot of contemplation, meditation, and connecting with the inner spirit.”
Kumar, who has an experience of three decades, says the acceptance of this art form has increased multifold over the years. “It’s tremendous. Earlier, pottery was very functional but wasn’t an art form... Pottery is my first love because of the kind of flexibility and freedom it gives. It’s beautiful right from its inception to blossoming of the final product,” she says adding, “I wanted the collection to have any earthy feel.”
Colours of Korea took over the stage at DU’s Jesus and Mary College (JMC) when Korea National Taekwondo Demo Team presented a demonstration. Their act was coupled with a K-Pop performance, and a flash mob by JMC students.
The Demo Team, which was on an India tour, showcased a high risk act that displayed the decorum of Taekwondo, which includes courtesy, endurance, and concentration.
Jacqueline Joseph, a finalyear Political Science (Hons) student said, “We’re huge fans of K-Pop! We performed the flash mob on the songs of BlackPink, BTS and Exo. And, the Korea National Taekwondo Demo Team was like wow!”
Present at the event, Shin Bong-kil, Ambassador of the Republic of Korea, said, “I hope Korean culture like K-Pop and Taekwondo helps in strengthening (the bonds between) and understanding both the nations.”