Rustic landscapes are the highlight of Mangala Narayan's latest exhibition “Praana” at the Karnataka Chitrakala Parishath. Many of her landscapes including “The Retirement”, “Tranquil Trees”, “Pondering Springs” and “Love” feature a cool, calm water body.
In “The Retirement”, she paints a tree-lined bank of a small creek in an orange sky, in “Tranquil Trees” she paints a shady bank with a meandering deep green pool weaving through the centre; in “Love” she paints a wide sea with gently lapping waves against a curving sand cliff.
Some of her other landscapes are more obviously rustic and evocative, like “The Clearing”, “The Horizon”, “Friendship” and “New Life”.
The colours in these works are more vibrant and fresh, and leave the viewer with a refreshing sensual experience.
In these works, Mangala paints broad vistas, rolling mounds of grass, lush green trees and a wet earth, fresh from the rains of dark, purplish clouds. Her works are inspired by the rural landscapes in a village in Karnataka where she grew up.
“I used to travel to school and college by bus. I would always look outside the window, it was such an experience. I used to spend a lot of time just staring at landscapes. Even now, whenever I fly, I feel like I'm in heaven.”
Mangala's works also include a few figurative in works like “The Division Bell” and “Nirvana”. Her figures are largely elfin (and elf-like) with their reverentially closed. They all radiate an inner peace. All her works in this exhibition have a deeper spiritual interpretation.
“I have tried to express my understanding of how life evolves in my work. I find that there is so much happiness and contentment in connecting to life and the creator.
I notice that very few people understand what life is all about. Once they do, they can live every moment of what they have. I see beauty in everything,” explains Mangala.
“Praana” will be on view at the Karnataka Chitrakala Parishat, Kumarakrupa Road, until March 27.
For details, call 9980778308.
