<i>Flora and fauna of Santal life captured with passion</i>

Artworks on display at the Goethe Institut

The mixed media paintings that one sees at the Goethe Institut in the ongoing exhibition by Indian artist Sanasi Lohar is remarkable indeed. Using leather, Camel brand Indian paints, spray gun and applying bold dramatic black strokes, the artist presents paintings that hold one's breath. The dynamism and lyricism of these paintings are due to the artist's training at Santiniketan and his own prowess and perseverance.
The exhibit is a part of the celebration of “Mother Language Festival” on the Santal life and culture. The festival itself is the brainchild of Dr Martin Kampchen, a German scholar and social worker and Lubna Marium, noted dancer and cultural activist. The display was inaugurated by Pinak Ranjan Chakaravarty, the Indian High Commissioner. Dora Rapold, the Swiss Ambassador, added her words in support of promotion of mother language.
“My mixed-media work is mainly on the sights and scenes found in the Santal villages. I've painted on paper and leather. There are 20 such paintings in the exhibit, ten being on leather and the rest on handmade paper. The exhibition also includes the crafts work by students of the school where I teach in India,” said Lohar, commenting on the exhibit.
Lohar has studied at Santiniketan. His passion for drawing and painting has its roots in his childhood. The flora and fauna of Santal life have been clearly indicated in his work and captured with passion. Some scintillating batik work by him have also been included. His forte, however, remains painting.
He has had formal education for seven years in his college at Santiniketan: he was encouraged by Dr Martin Kampchen. His teachers of “Kolabhaban” were Jogen Chowdhury, Sharbory Rai Chowdhury and KB Subramanium. In addition there were younger teachers like Pinaki Bose and Pankaj Panwar -- his favourite teacher being Jogen Chowdhury. The artist has had two exhibitions before at Kolkata, at Max Muller Bhaban and at the Academy of Fine Arts in 2005.
When working on leather, he uses permanent ink for painting and brass instruments for direct drawing. He also utilizes spray painting. He uses mostly black ink to make his figures and scenes -- taken from nature around him. These are on a bright backdrop of three merging colours. The hues are not necessarily realistic and are often taken from his moods and imagination. He has attempted to use natural colours, but has not found them enduring. His favourite colours are vermilion, cobalt blue, sky blue, and yellow ochre and other variations of topaz and emerald green. All the artworks are untitled.
In one of the entries one finds two gorgeous female figures with lotus bud eyes, and drapery, with criss-crossed black geometrical motifs, on gray and beige. This presents Santal life as do the other 19 paintings. Suave and subtle, the eye-catching sweeps of paintings are bubbling with joie de vivre. “The simple and uncomplicated life of the Santal would inspire any artist,” says Lohar.
Another painting introduces the collection of date juice from trees, and the juice being consumed by the carefree but hard-working locals -- who take joy in every step of their lives. The painter's vision includes two trees with birds flying on top and around it, with the merry-making locals sitting close by. This amalgamation of man and nature is indeed noteworthy.
Taken from the imagination is a horse-- done with Cubism in mindand it is seen in the next painting. A man with spiked hair-do is guiding it on. In front are two dogs, appearing to play with one another.
The camaraderie, bonhomie and contentment of Santal life is clearly presented in the paintings.