Fables on Canvas

The artist — now 50 — studied at Santiniketan and the Visual College of Art,Kolkata,and then print-making under renowned artist Monsieur Ceizerzi in Paris. For the past five years,Jayasri has been regularly visiting “the epicenter of Indian traditions”,Varanasi,which has inspired the religious themes of her latest works. Her paintings have a dream-like lyrical appeal. For example,she reveals,“In one of my paintings I depict the myth of Mayuri. But the woman in the myth is very real and lives in every modern woman. Mayuri depicts the eternal woman.”

Her ability to reinterpret sacred texts in contemporary contexts can be viewed as a streak that she inherits from her family. Her uncle,famous artist Sakti Burman,is celebrated for his chaotic yet awe-inspiring imagery of Indian myths and fables whereas her cousin Maya Burman’s works are known for a strong fantasy element. “After all,one’s upbringing does shape one’s creative thinking,” she explains.

Her relationship with art extended beyond blood ties when she married famous contemporary artist Paresh Maity. Jayasri celebrated her unique position by organising “The Family”in 2005,an exhibition featuring the works of the artists in her family.