One might have come across scores of arts and crafts exhibition, but this one takes the cake for being quite out of the ordinary.
At one corner sat an artist who had carved out a miniature FIFA World Cup trophy, the tricolour, Taj Mahal and a guitar from gold that can only be seen through magnifying lens. At the other end was a craftsman who was proudly displaying over 100 household appliances, the difference being the appliances were made of thermocol.
There was no dearth of rare art. A girl had carved a ship, ‘almirah' and a cot inside bottles, another girl was showcasing her artwork that incorporated thousands of ‘bindis'. A huge section was dedicated to display ‘replicas' of hand written newspapers from all parts of the world. So perfect was the craftsmanship that it was hard to pick the original from imitation.
The exhibition organised on the occasion of ‘Virath Vishwabrahma Yagnamahotsavam,' at Exhibition Grounds attracted close to 30 unusual artists.
Pencil sketches
“I learnt this style from my mother and it was my responsibility to take this forward. I sketch in my free time,” said Ayancha Raj Kumar, a TCS techie. His pencil sketches and paintings of Ravindranath Tagore, Mother Teresa and other personalities are life like, just like a photograph.
Thermocol exhibits
His exhibits made up of thermocol can fox even the most discerning of the eyes. “I have made close to 120 appliances and groceries out of thermocol.
This exhibition is an opportunity for artists who find it hard to display their work traditionally,” says sculptor V. Ramana Moorthy.
“We do mini art forms during off seasons when marriages are not happening. The miniature FIFA World Cup trophy displayed here is made up 50 milli-grams, which is half the size of a women's nose pin,” says jewellery workers Rachakonda Raju and K. Venu Gopal.
“This is the only way to encourage artists passionate for rare art. Such meets also helps us to share the tricks of the trade with youngsters,” says newspaper replica artist Darla Nageswara Rao.
