Strokes of peace

EVEN AS the summit between Prime Minister Vajpayee of India and President Musharraf of Pakistan was taking place in Agra, a group of artists from Chennai decided to express their solidarity for the cause of peace and amity between the two countries. What better way could there be than to express it through their art? The idea of doing 'something' was mooted by artist Viswam, who was joined by some senior artists/teachers of the College of Arts and Crafts and several young artists and students of the Chennai College and the one at Kumbakonam.

When the idea of producing posters on the theme of peace on the spot and exhibiting them was suggested to the Director of the Russian Cultural Centre, he agreed enthusiastically to allow them to paint and exhibit them in the open area in front of the centre. A few poets also joined the artists and wrote poignant poetry on the ongoing strife and the quest for peace by the people of Kashmir. The participating poets included Krishangni, Vatsala, Monica, Thenmozhi and Kumaresan. Thirty artists produced 62 posters using acrylic paint and ink: some of them brought out the underlying sense of kinship between the people of the two countries, some the anguish and suffering of the people of Kashmir, while a few symbolised peace. Besides senior artists Viswam, Manohar, Nagarajan and Nedunchezhian, it was heartening to see youngsters like Kumar, Amudan and his contemporaries being so aware of the issues affecting our country and their depth of feeling and sympathy for the quest for peace by a people who have for years been the target of separatist elements. They were supported and encouraged by veteran artists such as K. M. Adimoolam, C. Dakshinamurthy and others.

LAKSHMI VENKATRAMAN

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