Bhubaneswar:

An ongoing art exhibition at Subhadra gallery here attempting to connect art and spirituality is attracting a number of art enthusiasts.

Titled, The Pilgrim, the exhibition features artworks by 20 artists from Varanasi.

Around 80 paintings are on display. A number of artworks from the artists of the state have also been put up.

P. Pranam Singh, professor of painting at Indira Kala Sangeet Vishwavidyalaya, Khairagarh, said: “Such exhibitions definitely attract more crowds as well as provides an opportunity to the artists to interact with art lovers.”

Artist Sunil Viswakarma from Banaras stressed on the visual importance of ancient Indian culture through his paintings.

Many of the paintings focus on nature and its connection with spirituality. Through deep colours, the paintings bring to life the full blooms flanked by majestic trees and vines.

The contemporary paintings by Sanjay Singh from Varanasi caught the eyes of many that have depicted modern life through brushstrokes

Snehalata’s painting on a socio-eco theme was highly appreciated both by art critics and guests present.

Former chief administrative officer of the Puri Jagannath temple and art connoisseur Pradip Kumar Jena, who inaugurated the festival, said: “The beautiful amalgamation of diverse paintings has really given the show a larger audience.”

Artists such as Sunil Kuswah, Pankaj Verma, Asha Prakash, Sarda Singh, Nidhi Tripathi, Vishka, Shradha Chaturvedi, Rahul Singh, Ajay Upasani, Satyendra Baoni, Pankaj Kumar Sharma, Baldev Maharatha, Raghunath Sahoo, Binodini Behera, Jaya Jena, Tuhina Joshi, Sanjay Ketan, Arun Pallur, Suresh Dhal and Manas Ranjan Jena were present on the occasion.

Gallery founder Rabi Rath said: “Cultivating the arts as a spiritual practice is a path to freeing our imagination and developing valuable skills for vital living in the world. The exhibition was an attempt of that.”

source: http://www.telegraphindia.com / The Telegraph,Calcutta,India / Home> Odisha / by Anwesha Ambaly / June 19th, 2018