HYDERABAD: The famed Ganga aarti in Benares finds a form in artist Trupti Goswami’s abstract works. Pastel shades fuse with thick solid colours and free-spirited strokes run into each other to seamlessly evolve into abstract figures. The energy radiating through the independent and confident strokes attract viewers. Titled ‘Flame of Light’ her exhibits displayed at Icon Art Gallery showcases Trupti’s love for abstracts.
Spiritual experience “The exhibition includes from my two series – ‘Vigorous’ and ‘Aratrik’, points out Trupti. Aratrik in Sanskrit means aarti and is inspired from Trupti’s visit to Benares in 2012. She stayed there for 20 days and the ideas buried in her subconscious at that time manifested themselves on the canvas. “It is a spiritual experience for visitors,” she explains, “There is a lot of energy and it sucks you in. The Ganga aarti is one of the most significant rituals performed there early morning and during the nights. When I saw the aarti for the first time, I was speechless. There are hundreds of devotees on the banks performing the aarti . The aarti’s glorifying flame shines bright in the dark night and pulsates with an amazing energy and vibration; it looks like tandav . One can feel that energy and experience.”
The artist speaks of the spiritual aura in Benares. “The environment makes you calm and stills the mind. These are expressions of the soul emanating from that holy atmosphere,” she states. Speaking of her work process she says, “I have these visuals imprinted in my mind and it transfers on the canvas. There is no meaning in abstracts but they have been painted with a lot of feeling,” she smiles.
Trupti has passed out in 2003 in Ahmedabad and has showcased her works at different exhibitions and been part of art camps. This is her first visit to Hyderabad and she will be travelling to Mumbai and Bengaluru in August to display her works.
Trupti says her muse will continue to be the Ganga aarti . “I will do more works in Aratrik. What I have painted is just a tip of the iceberg. There is so much more to explore.”
The exhibition at Icon Art Gallery ends on May 25.
