Hyderabad blues

“I feel I have some very strong connection with rural life and it comes out on the canvas quite naturally,” says Baheti,who has been painting for the past 20 years and has studied fine arts from Pune. Though born and brought up in Pune,she moved to Hyderabad in the year 1993.

She prefers to work with acrylic,mix media and ink as her major mediums of painting. What sets her creation apart is the fact that they are a combination of abstract and free hand drawing. Revealing several elements on one canvas,her paintings make the viewer give a second look and study the detailed work. “After experimenting a lot,I have developed my own style. Though a layman may not be able to understand and appreciate it at first glance,art lovers today are very open to all kind of work,” says she.

One can witness a liberal use of abstract women figuratives and cows in her paintings. The reason being that Baheti finds a striking resemblance in the characters of a cow and a woman. “Both are selfless and giving. At the same time,they are blessed with distinctive strength too. I am really fascinated with the eyes of the cows. They are full of depth and innocence. In fact,whenever I come across a cow near my residence in Hyderabad,I make sure to feed her. It gives me a feeling that somewhere,I am in touch with the village life,” she explains.

 The subtitles like – My world in the cradle of your arms,have paintings that give a picture of the remorse she went through after she lost her father. Viewing the paintings,one can literally read the different emotions and thought process she underwent when her father was no more. For instance,there is a painting that depicts sorrow in deepest form and another painting that shows a figure with a small bird. “I realise that if I continue to be shattered,my father’s soul will not be in peace,I had to set his soul free,” she adds. 

 (Jaya Baheti’s works are exhibited at Art2Day Gallery,Solapur Highway till April 25,11 am to 6 pm)