Partition: The Great Divide on Canvas

Artists Mohinder Thukral

A book consisting of the artworks by Thukral and an essay by Des Raj Kali was also be released at the opening of the exhibition. The exhibition is the result of a serious introspection of the painful memories of the brutal happenings of the forgettable past.

It is an endeavour not only to remind us of the horrors and sufferings of millions but also to help us in understanding the intricate and complicated web of thought processes that prompted friends, acquaintances and neighbours, who had co-existed in peace and goodwill for centuries, to become the part of frenzied mobs out to loot, rape and kill. What was it that turned humans into blood-thirsty beasts?

Another art work by Mohinder Thukral. His paintings are based on the Indian parition.

Thukral was only a year old at the time of Partition and heard these stories from his mother and her sister and later from his grandfather. Although he lived his life well as a wrestler and a commercial artist, painting billboards for mainstream Hindi cinema of which his brother was a distributor in Jalandhar, yet throbbing memories and pangs of suffering never let him rest in peace.

His inner voice was pulsating to find expression as the artist residing in the dark alleys yearned to translate those memories into visuals on canvas. Now when Thukral is almost 76, he decided to hear that inner voice, and what we see is a powerful set of images that would make many view the haunting past with a new perspective.

Mohinder Thukral’s paintings will be exhibited at Punjab Kala Bhawan today till November 19.

Seventy-five years after the bloodbath that shook the conscience of the helpless and the humane, on both sides of the dividing line, there is still a stab in the heart.

Silence became the surviving tool and the wounds were kept guarded. Many among the generations to follow remained unaware of the wages of freedom that were paid that side and this side as the Radcliffe line mercilessly divided the nation into two on the basis of religion. Thukral, in his works, strives to understand the how and why of what happened.

Artwork by Mohinder Thukral. A book consisting of the artworks by Thukral and an essay by Des Raj Kali was also be released at the opening of the exhibition.

With this exhibition the Akademi, says Diwan Manna, President, Punjab Lalit Kala Akademi, intends to contribute to the continuation of dialogue by revisiting the wounds of the past, not to hurt but to find means to heal them in the hope of a beautiful future.

The exhibition will remain open till November 19 at, between 11 am and 7 pm.

Here is a list of other events you can attend in the city this weekend.

A Sacred Journey

WHAT: The Government Museum and Art Gallery, Chandigarh in collaboration with the Chandigarh Lalit Kala Akademi invites you to an illustrated lecture by renowned historian Professor B.N. Goswamy, based on the most recent book by him and Professor Karuna Goswamy on ‘A Sacred Journey’, Pahari Paintings of the Kedara Kalpa Series.

WHEN: Sunday, November 21, 2021, at 11:30 am

WHERE: Museum Auditorium, Government Museum, and Art Gallery, Sector 10 C, Chandigarh

Rock On

WHAT: It’s that time of the year, time for nature enthusiasts to head on to the hills, breathe in the fresh air, and soak in the adventure and fun that the outdoors offer. Anurag Sood, Founder of Climb The Himalayas, a Manali-based adventure company is offering special weekend sessions of rock climbing and rappelling in the Kasauli Hills for beginners. “It is vital to step out of your comfort zone and build strength and stamina in your body and climbing is a great way to achieve this,” says Sood.

WHEN: Sunday, November 21

WHERE: Kasauli Hills. Contact: 9418345059\9882145059

In Memoriam

WHAT: The opening concert of Triveni Sangeet Sabha for the year 2021 is a tribute to the many leading lights of the music and art world lost to Covid in the last two years, with special tributes to theatre person GS Chani and Ustaad Mazhar Ali Khan, grandson of the legendary Ustaad Bade Ghulam Ali Khan. The programme will start with the screening of GS Chani’s latest documentary, ‘The North East Verve’ and followed by a sitar recital by Pandit Harvinder Sharma, a direct disciple of late Ustaad Vilayat Hussain Khan. Ustaad Jawaad Ali Khan, grandson of Ustaad Bade Gulam Ali Khan will sing for in the memory of his beloved brother, Ustaad Mazhar Ali Khan.

WHEN: Saturday, November 20, 2021. Time: 10.30 am to 1 pm.

VENUE: The Government Museum and Art Gallery Auditorium, Sector 10, Chandigarh