“Every painting has its own quality and own story. Each is inspired by something different and just as a mother cannot pick favourites among children, I cannot pick from among my paintings,” says Jaya Baheti of her most recent exhibition, ‘Unspoken Harmonies’ held at Taj Deccan, Hyderabad.
The display includes not just acrylic and mixed media on canvas but also antiquities which the artist has collected over the years.
Traditional household items like vessels and pots from across the country were given a signature touch with her brush strokes.
Jaya was only a teenager when she explained to her father that she wanted to be an artist. She went on to pursue a degree in Fine Art and has been painting since. She describes her journey as an artist as a combination of many things. “My paintings and style are constantly evolving. The colours on the canvas reflect my state of mind, emotional being and my spiritual quest. Now I feel like I have found my signature style.” she says.
Jaya’s technique, though rooted in Indian tradition, has a strong contemporary flavour. She uses bold brush strokes and bold hues.
“My paintings are inspired by life in rural India but as you can see, the brush strokes and colour palette are modern,” explains Jaya Baheti. The paintings are filled with Indian cultural symbols especially its animals and birds - almost every painting features a cow, fish or bird.
“Each animal expresses a certain value or character,” explains Jaya, “The cow is of course a symbol of fertility and goodness. The bird on the other hand depicts freedom.”
Jaya’s use of animals in her paintings also keeps with the theme of the exhibition , ‘Unspoken Harmonies’. “I’ve tried to capture the language of emotions; where spoken words are unnecessary and the relationship between man and animal - one of instinct and touch – best represents this.”
The message conveyed by most of the paintings is, however, universal. The themes vary from man’s desire for freedom, for a better life, human relationships and hope.
While her work is rife with rural references, Jaya grew up and continues to live in a city. How, then, does she derive inspiration? “There is only so much one can draw from memory,” she explains. “I travel as much as I can to villages, spending time with the people there, watching them work and eating their home cooked food. Most paintings are inspired by people that I have seen or met,” she says pointing to one of two little girls that were inspired by children she had met at a school.
When she is not painting, Jaya Baheti is travelling, conducting workshops or spending time with her family who she describes as the ‘easel to her canvas’.
Jaya sees her paintings as a way to give back to society in a small way. “I paint, first for myself and though I may not be making a very large contribution to the world, I get the satisfaction that I have created something beautiful,” she concludes.
