Cause and creation

Kota Neelima’s paintings asked some primal questions related to the creation of the world

Published - August 17, 2012 06:57 pm IST - NEW DELHI:

EVOCATIVE Kota Neelima’s works displayed at the recent exhibtion.

EVOCATIVE Kota Neelima’s works displayed at the recent exhibtion.

The Hindu philosophy of karma and the first cause of creation as a series of acts is the concept that journalist-artist Kota Neelima attempted to portray through paintings in a recent exhibition in New Delhi. The paintings, displayed at the Visual Art Gallery, India Habitat Centre, till this past week, revolved around the theme, ‘The First Cause’, and evoked ideas through images reflective of time, space and nature.

A total of 42 paintings explored the first nature, the first choice and change, the first rain and sun, and the first day of Creation. Her impressionist-abstract renderings in a soft subtle palette seemed to reply the concept of panch tatva.

In a painting titled “Ancient Watchers”, a juxtaposition of colours with shades of blue, grey and black in a magical mix could be seen. The ideas and thoughts that the painting expressed through colours effortlessly justified its title. “The ancestors of ours, whether in the form of thought or human beings, have not gone anywhere and are watching and supporting us all the time, also, they are using us as a way of expressing themselves.” said Neelima.

“Valleys of Karma” was another painting that speculated on the places where the first sequence of the action-reaction had begun. Different colours in this painting pointed at different motives that merged to make up the human destiny. It also portrayed the cycles of karma and rebirth.

Different from other paintings, a work titled “First Day”, displayed bright colours. The painting was a work in layers of green and blue with numerous suns. “It signifies the primary day which had established the rhythm of continuity to birth and death, or in other words, beginning and return. At the same time, as the painting highlights, neither birth nor death changes the central balance of the universe.”

Neelima further explained, “Most people have accepted the scientific theory of evolution of the earth; another accepted fact by many of us is that god created the world. Through my paintings I have tried to take the argument little further to discuss what the cause was after the first cause of evolution of the earth.”

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