Four artists from different generations, each of them living in Chennai, found a common thread in the vernacular. They got together to put up a group show that spans genres, but retains a connecting link — India's villages, its mythology and its traditions.
That's “Parables of the Past” for you, featuring veteran artist K. Muralidharan, K.G. Narendrababu, K. Balasubramanian and N. Srinivasan. The exhibits, numbering about 50, represent their recent works. Some have been brought in from earlier collections, a chance for you to see how the artists have evolved over the years.
Muralidharan says an infusion of young talent always helps. “Art develops with new influences,” he says. Srinivasan, who grew up idolising Muralidharan, 20 years his senior, says art and ideology know no age. “It's a privilege to show alongside his works,” he says.
Mutual admiration
Narendrababu says they have all admired each other's works and found a linking thread. This exhibition presented a great opportunity to explore that commonality. Balasubramanian took ill and could not make it for the show. His works, however, did. They are inspired by the panchaboothas and tantrik elements, and are a sea of calm.
Muralidharan's mythological series is rooted in tradition but has a modern outlook. Narendrababu paints an ode to the coconut tree he had to cut down. He paints in memories of the tree and his childhood on its trunk — the toys he created using its fronds and sticks, the house he lived in, his father, the aircraft that flew across the sky…Srinivasan throws the spotlight on the space between memory and forgetfulness as seen through the eyes of a child.
When you finally leave the gallery space, you feel you've been through a journey through time, tradition and space, three things that the artists have touched upon.
K. Muralidharan
Acrylic on canvas
Works are inspired by mythology, but feature a modern interpretation. His Meenakshi, Kamadhenu, Buddha, mother and child and Kalpavriksha are eye-catching. His subjects have long, beautiful eyes that explode with emotion.
USP: A profusion of the Tamil alphabet that embellishes his works
K.G. Narendrababu
Acrylic on canvas
He paints what he dreams. So, you have flying horses, trees that tell stories of what they've seen and rustic women who embody Shakthi. He used to paint in black and white before making a transition to colour.
USP: His works come alive in bright Indian colours and feature a lot of small elements
N Srinivasan
Digital manipulation on archival paper
The show features his works from the year 2000, and his latest series, “Forgetful and Rememberable”. He believes in a global thought process that is rooted in vernacular philosophy. Check out his India in South Africa and South Africa in India series
USP: Juxtaposes knowledge of art, philosophy and digital techniques to come up with highly-textured works.
The exhibition is the 15th in Kasthuri Sreenivasan Trust's Vivid Palette 2011-2012 series.
Date: Till April 24
Time: 10 a.m. to 6.30 p.m.
Phone: For details, call 0422-2574110.
