Indian art in focus

Clockwise (from top-left): Paintings by Deepa Seth Bhando, Sonika Agarwal, Ruchi Goyal Kaura and Sandhya Singh.

As part of the Indian cultural festival, titled “Ananda Jagya” -- organised by Indira Gandhi Cultural Centre (IGCC), High Commission of India in Dhaka and Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy (BSA) -- a group art exhibition featuring works of four Indian artists is being held. The exhibition, entitled “Harmony and Rhythm”, showcases works of Sandhya Singh, Deepa Seth Bhando, Ruchi Goyal Kaura and Sonika Agarwal, and is being held at National Gallery, BSA. Education Minister Nurul Islam Nahid inaugurated the exhibition on November 27.
Sandhya Singh's works focus on the spirit of Indian music. She has created many waves where one can find the rhythms of melody. Varied flower patterns also appear in her works. While looking at the paintings, one gets a musical vibe. Her works stand out for their forms and compositions. The painter at times concentrates on one part of the flora and searches for its innermost section.
Sonika Agarwal is a figurative painter and most of her works depict movements of female figures. She uses strong brushstrokes and bold colours to portray the spirit and vivacity of Indian women. She feels that a woman's position in the South Asian society is a very conservative and repressed one. Some of her paintings show a number of covered up visages.
Deepa Seth Bhando is a Delhi-based painter and muralist. At the exhibition, her landscapes look somewhat tedious for their colours and rather inappropriate use of texture. She seemingly paints from memory. Her works provide fragmented metaphors and inner visions. Her subjects rely on particular space and surroundings.
Ruchi Goyal Kaura has studied design at National Institute of Fashion Technology, Delhi, and has a Masters in Textile Design. The artist takes inspiration from traditional embroidery “Phulkari” -- a technique popular in Punjab, India. Various floral and traditional folk symbols are the main trait in her works. Her compositions and forms are both intimately connected to graphic design. She also tries to explore the beauty of nature. Her compositions showcase colour, light, simple shapes and forms -- motivated by nature.
The exhibition ends on December 12.