A Shade Different

Neelkant Choudhary is a man on a mission. Since 1996,the Vadodara-based artist has been giving a spin to the painting that originated on the village walls of Madhubani. He does so not just with a brilliant treatment of colours but also by placing quotidian motifs,like a broom,against traditional icons. At Gallerie Ganesha,21 of his works are on display. Chaar Woman,mixed media on paper,shows two women in green standing with brooms but poised like Goddess Durga. “I came across this scene one morning and it struck me that their pose was identical to Goddess Durga’s as shown in many works,” says Choudhary.

Brought up in Bihar’s Madhubani region,he has soaked in its colours and techniques,but he adds a feral excitement. An untitled work has a woman,Choudhary’s dominant theme,surrounded by antelope. Even the lotus — a common motif in Madhubani paintings — takes on an eerie shade,with beetles chewing on green leaves. “The fine lines that are the basis of Madhubani painting and the medium are the same. What is different is the thought process,” says Choudhary. The works begin at Rs 65,000.

The exhibition is on display till April 20. Contact 29217306