Visionary artist Shampa Sircar Das, based in New Delhi, draws inspiration from the diversity of India for her evocative paintings. “My work is not born in studios but from my frequent road journeys across India,” says Das, whose art transcends the confines of her studio to encompass the rich tapestry of India’s natural and cultural landscapes. The vast stretches from the villages of Ladakh, Spiti Valley, and the Northeastern states, to the temple-laden expanses of South and East India, fuel her creative force. The artist’s surreal renditions resonate deeply with the theme of Whispers of Nature—an art exhibition at Kalakriti Art Gallery, Hyderabad.
Ruchi Sharma’s curation of this exhibition stitches together a tapestry of art forms, showcasing the talents of several artists alongside Shampa Das, such as Alpesh Dave, Afza Tamkanat, Avijit Dutta, Chetana Vagh, Dushyant Patel, Manisha Agarwal, and Vijay Sharma. Their collective artworks serve as poignant vignettes capturing the intimate dance between Nature and human life, celebrating its seasons and many moods.
Afza Tamkanat paints with a distinctive brown palette that speaks not just of Nature but of the urban dwellings she carried in her heart through her travels from Hyderabad to the Middle East, even to her current residence in Bali and Sydney. One of her notable paintings invites the viewer through a window to a world where flora and fauna coalesce, symbolizing the tranquility that comes with embracing Nature. This series, conceived in Sydney, casts a reflective gaze upon the amalgamated cultural and architectural dialogues within cityscapes—a blend of antiquity and modernism.
In the continuum of conversations between humanity and Nature, Alpesh Dave’s quest for peace blooms through his pursuit of tranquil waters, while Avijit Dutta captivates us with the allure of songbirds. Chetana Vagh’s paintings, through their florals and gardens, transport onlookers to a myriad of enchanting locales including a sprouting pond and a springtime in Delhi.
Manisha Agarwal delves into a different dimension, presenting a collage of 21 images that dissect plant and animal life. This scientific cataloging employs an amalgam of mediums—tea color, embroidery, cloth, rice paper, beads, and seeds—to create a tactile narrative of life’s intricacies.
The visceral impact of Shampa Sircar Das’s work is further accentuated by the textures she incorporates, inspired by the fine sand of Ladakh. In her Mayura series, she contrasts the majesty of peacocks with the memory of elephants and banana plantations from South India. Her Hansa series, centered on swans and lotuses, offers a visual retreat for urbanites yearning for serenity amidst chaos.
Dushyant Patel’s artwork is a visual commentary on environmental issues, utilizing the image of elephants as a potent symbol. He channels his indignation and sorrow, provoked by news of elephants being harmed and killed due to human brutality and negligence, into his artistic expression. His pieces are a vivid reflection on the collision between human encroachment and the territorial instincts of wild animals, urging reflection and action.
Evoking a sense of nostalgia, Vijay Sharma’s miniature paintings present a narrative of aristocratic life, effortlessly weaving historical and modern elements together through the eyes of guests in a contemporary metropolis.
This assembly of art at Whispers of Nature exhibition serves as a clarion call to the humanity dwelling amidst urban mayhem. It implores visitors to pause, listen, and reconnect with the origins of our shared existence within the natural world. It runs from April 5 to May 1 at Kalakriti Art Gallery, Banjara Hills, Hyderabad, inviting all who pass by to whisper back to Nature.
