Adding a touch of realism to Indian mythology at this exhibition
Divinity, its mysticism, and various forms of deities have eluded artists for a long time. So, it’s only natural for Delhi-based artist Raghu Vyas to explore such themes in his artworks of Shiva, Radha-Krishna and Buddha, adding a touch of his creativity.
The largest artwork displayed in the exhibition is of 6 feet x 9 feet. Titled Celebration, it’s about Krishna’s return to Dwarka after the war. Another painting is of Shiva, where he’s in a meditative pose, rising behind a landscape of modern buildings and ruined palaces.
The 64-year-old artist, who has been painting for 45 years now, says: “Gods and Goddesses are a part of the Hindu culture. I’ve made paintings of Hanuman, Lakshmi and Durga, But, Krishna is my favourite subject. However, I portray it in a realistic manner, using my imagination.”
Most of his paintings are based on the golden ratio, a calculation used by many European painters. “When you make a painting, you’ve to add different elements to it. It’s all about how you portray your imagination on the canvas. That’s very important. The painting will exude energy on the basis of how you create it. It reflects in your work,” says Vyas, who has picked some of his techniques of art from Italy.
For instance, his artwork, Venus, is themed on the rhythm of nature. Speaking about it, Vyas says, “The woman is flying like a swan, and that’s the idea of the painting. It’s a combination of the music and the swan flying. One also sees shadow of faces, which is connected to the musical instrument violoncello.”