Rhythm & Hues

Each musical composition has a colour,and it is this association between the musical notes and the paint brush that is now being celebrated at Lalit Kala Akademi. Marking the 59th year of the institution,the exhibition “Ragas on Canvas” presents the ragas of Indian classical music on canvas. While the interplay is an age-old one,the participating artists have opted for more contemporary depictions to project the Ragamala spirit that first appeared in the 15th or 16th centuries. Among others is Om Prakash Sharma. The postgraduate from Columbia University makes ample use of Raga Bhairav. His work titled Natyabharav has Shiva as the central figure,holding a damroo in his right hand and fire in the left — perhaps a sign of suppressed aggression. Hailing from Himachal Pradesh,Balbinder Kangri abstains from acrylics and chooses natural colours such as gold and fruit colours to depict ragas Bhairav and Hindol among others. His work Ragini Basanti has Raga Hindol’s wife dressed in pink,fetching flowers from a tree.

While the series of music concerts and art workshop accompanying the exhibition is over,the display — comprising new as well as prints of centuries old works — will be taken off on August 11. “It is a first such event where the fine arts and various styles of Hindustani classical music have come together to give a rich and unique cultural experience to everyone involved,” said Ashish Sankrityaayan,Director,Dhrupad Kendra,that has collaborated with the Akademi for the event.

The exhibition is on at Lalit Kala Akademi till August 11