Rustic landscapes are the highlight of Mangala Narayan's latest exhibition “Praana” at the Karnataka Chitrakala Parishath. Many of her landscapes including “The Retirement”, “Tranquil Trees”, “Pondering Springs” and “Love” feature a cool, calm water body.
In “The Retirement”, she paints a tree-lined bank of a small creek in an orange sky, in “Tranquil Trees” she paints a shady bank with a meandering deep green pool weaving through the centre; in “Love” she paints a wide sea with gently lapping waves against a curving sand cliff.
Some of her other landscapes are more obviously rustic and evocative, like “The Clearing”, “The Horizon”, “Friendship” and “New Life”.
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The colours in these works are more vibrant and fresh, and leave the viewer with a refreshing sensual experience.
In these works, Mangala paints broad vistas, rolling mounds of grass, lush green trees and a wet earth, fresh from the rains of dark, purplish clouds. Her works are inspired by the rural landscapes in a village in Karnataka where she grew up.
“I used to travel to school and college by bus. I would always look outside the window, it was such an experience. I used to spend a lot of time just staring at landscapes. Even now, whenever I fly, I feel like I'm in heaven.”
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Mangala's works also include a few figurative in works like “The Division Bell” and “Nirvana”. Her figures are largely elfin (and elf-like) with their reverentially closed. They all radiate an inner peace. All her works in this exhibition have a deeper spiritual interpretation.
“I have tried to express my understanding of how life evolves in my work. I find that there is so much happiness and contentment in connecting to life and the creator.
I notice that very few people understand what life is all about. Once they do, they can live every moment of what they have. I see beauty in everything,” explains Mangala.
“Praana” will be on view at the Karnataka Chitrakala Parishat, Kumarakrupa Road, until March 27.
For details, call 9980778308.