Urbane reflections

Awakened by midnight By this sound of silence bold.

And echoes of urban emotion Long and cold

“Cities are described as permanent settlements with complex systems of residence,transportation,structures and societies. And I experience these beings and the things wonderfully seamless,” says Mukta Kamplikar,who has a deep interest and masterful talent in painting.

For the 32-year-old marketing strategy professional at a multinational company,life is about creation and a positive extension of one’s mind,and she loves it in all the shades. Kampalikar likes to live in the moment and declares that she is a rule breaker. “I like challenging my mind with black and grey,which are not really favourite colours,” says Kampalikar,who paints the urban hustle-bustle of Mumbai city. “My profession demands a well-structured and strategic approach,and decisions under uncertainties,” she says as she tries to relate the urban pieces of art with her profession. “When I start to paint,I have nothing definite in mind. With every stroke,I order out the chaos within me as well.”

Kampalikar feels that Mumbaikars are always on the lookout of running away from the city due to its fast pace. But she is in love with the city for its chaos and never-ending continuity. “I don’t want to run away from Mumbai and its vibrations,” declares Kampalikar. Kampalikar has also been fascinated by owls and cats throughout her life. “They are very intriguing and mysterious. And owls have a deep profoundness. I wanted to bring out my childhood queries through my paintings of domestic cats and owls,” she adds.

Kampalikar has even tried her hands with nails,blades and knives as mediums to paint. “I am directed by these mediums. They help in discovering myself.” She feels that her four-lined poems,with their rhythms and rhymes,add to her strokes and make them more colourful. “Poems enhance my painting double-fold.”

Kampalikar’s works will be exhibited at the Bliss Art Gallery,Koregaon Park,till August 21.