Serenading Tagore through paintings

Tagore was a nationalist but at the same time his lyrics and literary works made it clear that he was against “narrow nationalism”. His famous phrase ‘Bhango Badh Bhenge Dao (Break all barriers)’ underlined the importance of global humanism,so is the relevance of Assam’s textile richness of Muga and Bapta – the indigenous gift to Brahmaputra valley.

Bringing these finer aspects together,an artist Chandrima Syam is offering a solo painting exhibition before the citizens of Lutyen’s city.

“In an era of war and imperialism, Tagore condemned the barbaric manifestations of imperialistic arrogance and racial and nationalistic chauvinism. This has always appealed me as a citizen of northeast India. Therefore,originates my paintings trying to lay emphasis on harmonious existence of mankind and the art,” said Chandrima,whose spot painting ‘Visva Baul’ on Tagore has been a great success in Assam in 2012.

“Chandrima negotiates with the shattered mirrors of alienation creating her own images which suggest new beginning,liberty,peace and harmony,” says Tapodhir Bhattacharjee,former professor in Tagore Chair,Delhi University and former Vice Chancellor of Assam University in Silchar.

Chandrima has drawn her paintings on acrylic on paper,acrylic and oil pastel on Assam silk,acrylic and oil pastel on Assam bapta and muga,and wooden crayon. She has also taken the help of dhaniakhali taat,Assam muga uttario,Assam bapta uttario and the Assam silk shawl.