The city is awash in the colours of Navratri and Bathukamma complete with dandiya pandals cropping up and colourful Bathukammas dotting most junctions.
If one section of the city is busy with Bathukamma celebrations, another is in the throes of Durga Pujo while yet another is worshipping the various facets of Shakti. Joining these celebrations is the city’s art community with their canvases depicting the various aspects of the festive season. From depicting the vibrancy of Bathukamma to exploring the various aspects of Durga, they’ve got it all down on their canvas.
Take for instance, the recently concluded art show at the Yasala Balaiah Art Gallery. With a range of artworks by senior artist Yasala Balaiah, the exhibition had a selection of paintings showcasing the vibrancy of Telangana life and its chief festival Bathukamma. Depicting rows and rows of men and women celebrating the festival, he claims that his works reflect the local culture and traditions. “Given that the state is celebrating Bathukamma festival in such a grand way I thought this might be my contribution to the festive season. My family celebrates the festival each year and we put up a Bathukamma in our house as well. My works are a reflection of the festivity and togetherness that we share,” he says.
Even the State Art Gallery that encourages all types of art forms, recently held a painting workshop for women to capture the festive mood.
With nearly 50 women taking part in the three-day workshop, the sheer variety of artworks at the end of the session was a reflection of the varied celebrations and sensibilities in the state. “When I heard about the workshop I spoke to neighbours and friends to know a little more about Bathukamma and the associated traditions. Given that Durga Puja is very important for us Bengalis and Bathukamma is also worshipping the Goddess, it was interesting to create a blend of Bengali and Telugu culture on the canvas,” says Chaitali Mitra, an artist at the workshop.
For artist Archana Rajguru Biswas, the juxtaposition of the newly formed state with its festival formed the crux of her work. “I painted a young girl doing puja because I wanted to showcase the young state establishing and taking forward its traditions. It is titled Renaissance keeping in mind Telangana, a state that is undergoing changes. The work also has Islamic influences given the large Muslim population in this state,” she says.
While most art works celebrate the ‘Shakti’ associated with this festive season, artist Bipasha Sen Gupta chose to look at a completely different aspect in her works.
The artist who recently showcased her works titled ‘Titiksha’ meaning endurance at Gallery Space said, “As a woman I realised that nobody could better portray this characteristic than Durga, which is why I came up with this series of works for the occasion.
However, I wanted to break away from painting her in the form of Shakti as is usually done and wanted to instead portray her sensitive side. Her sensitivity and compassion is something that most of us miss out on, so I have tried to look at that other side of Durga.” Interestingly, what Bipasha, who is an atheist , found intriguing about the Goddess was her character, which led to her creating a series of works using tea stains portraying the various lesser prominent aspects of Durga.
