“Kalpana”, anIndian art exhibition of 29 digitally produced prints of well-known paintings of eminent Indian artistes representing human figure forms and created over a span of more than a century has opened in this Kazakhstan capital.

Starting with Jamini Roy, the exhibition also includes the works of Amrita Shergil, M F Husain, F N Souza and Krishen Khanna, as well as some of the more contemporary and current artistes like Anjolie Ela Menon, Manjit Bawa and Arpana Caur.

“The paintings display the vibrancy and dynamism of Indian art during the 20th century,” said a statement from the Indian Embassy here that has organised the exhibition.

“The exhibition represents an underlying emphathetical harmony in the aesthetic stimulus of Indian art and the seamless manner in which several artistic influences belonging to the traditional and modern styles have coalesced over the last century,” the statement added.

The exhibition was inaugurated on Tuesday by Indian Ambassador Ashok Sajjanhar at a glittering ceremony attended by a cross-section of lovers and admirers of Indian art and culture including members of the Kazakh parliament as well as several ambassadors from countries like Brazil, South Africa, Japan, Romania, Spain, Austria and Italy.Speaking on the occasion, Sajjanhar said that the exhibition “represents the completion of a productive and fruitful year of expansion in bilateral relations since the visit of President (Nursultan) Nazarbayev to India as the chief guest at our 60th Republic Day celebrations in January 2009.”

He pointed out that the last one year has seen significant deepening of engagement through several events organised by the Embassy like the India-Expo in Almaty in May 2009 and two grand gala concerts of Indian Classical Dances and Music in Astana and previous capital Almaty and in November 2009.

Several contracts and agreements to further enhance and promote bilateral economic and commercial cooperation have been signed between companies of the two countries during this period.

Sajjanhar also expressed the hope that the exhibition of paintings by 14 eminent artistes of India would further strengthen people-to-people contact and promote understanding and cooperation between India and Kazakhstan.

 The youth icons of National Hockey selected for the international competition created of an uproar demanding their pending package just after the finish of National youth festival which is a matter of concern.

Internationally acclaimed sand artist Sudarsan Pattnaik from Orissa appeal to save our National game through his sand sculpture, by appealing both the members of Indian Hockey federation and players to settle the matters soon giving due emphasis to the players demand. Also he appeals to all corners to save the fame of the Indian Hockey “our National Game” giving equal treatment with the Indian Cricket.

The state of Orissa is a producer of best hockey players of International standard like Dillip Tirky, Lzarus Barla, Ignes Tirky, Probodh Tirky and others.

Pattnaik created two crossed hockey sticks with ball on sand at Puri beach of Orissa. He took 5 hours and use 8 tones of sand and also his students joins hand to create this sand image.
Before it Pattnaik participated different sport activities like World cup Cricket-1998 at London, FIFA World cup-2006 at Berlin, Doha Asian game etc. He has so far participated in more than 39 international sand sculpture championships across the world and won many awards for the country.

Graduating from Govt. College of Art & Craft, he went on to win Academy of Fine Arts Award in 1966,’69, ’73 and ’76 followed by Mahakoshal Kala Parishad Prize in ’73 and ’74. Pyne was one of the 100 artists chosen at ‘Hundred years of Asian Art’ (1861-1961), an exhibition organised by the Fukuoka Art Museum, Japan. But most of all it should also be known that he was one of the three painters who introduced surrealism in India. His works can be found at NGMA, New Delhi, Air India, Mumbai, Govt. of West Bengal Gallery, Birla Academy of Art and Culture and with several eminent private collectors in India, England, Italy, Japan, USA, Germany, UNESCO, Thailand and Singapore

Pyne is no stranger to struggle. Cousin of renowned painter Ganesh Pyne, his first watercolour sold for a paltry Rs 40 at a khola mela (open-air fair) in Kolkata in 1956. He finally found ‘fame’ only after his work Bird with Cage, painted and sold by Pyne in the 1970s for merely a couple of thousand rupees, fetched $10,200 (Rs 4.70 lakh) at a Sotheby’s auction in New York last September.

Now, the media considers him ‘arrived’. But Pyne refuses to be swept off his feet by the sudden interest from art dealers and gallery owners – he knows all too well how unpredictable life can be. And he says that he will never take it for granted again.

For more paintings on Old Masters and Famous Indian Paintings visit www.indianartideas.com

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 Francis Newton Souza was born in the year 1924 in Saligao, a small town in the state of Goa. Tragedy struck him at a very young age, when he lost his father. He was also bogged down by a serious attack of small pox. Such incidents provoked him to create his own niche in this world. Francis Newton Souza took admission into the Sir J.J. School of Art of Mumbai. But, was expelled for participating in the Quit India Movement. Thereafter, he founded Progressive Artist’s Movement in 1947, along with S.H. Raza, M.F, Hussain, K.H. Ara, etc. F.N. Souza’s biography and life history tells us that he left the country in 1949 and went to London to pursue his interest in painting. After struggling for a few years, he finally received recognition in the 1950’s with his solo exhibition at the ‘Gallery One’ in London. Around the same time, his autobiographical essay ‘Nirvana of a Maggot’ was published. In 1959, another one of his books ‘Words and Lines’ was published and it received literary recognition. In the year 1967, F.N. Souza migrated to the New York City in America. He participated in the ‘Commonwealth Artists of Fame’ exhibition in London in 1977. Souza participated in an exhibition in Detroit in 1968. His retrospectives were held in New Delhi and Mumbai in 1987. Francis Newton Souza also had shows at the ‘Indus Gallery’ of Karachi in 1988 and the ‘Bose Pacia Modern’ of New York in 1998. He breathed his last in the year 2002. Presently, the paintings of F.N. Souza adorn the Tate Gallery of London and the National Gallery of Modern Art in New Delhi. His Style The subjects covered in the paintings of Francis Newton Souza comprise of still life, landscape, nudes, icons of Christianity, etc. One of the most recurring themes is that of the conflicts in a man-woman relationship. However, the figures have been deliberately distorted and reveal an uninhibited and realistic style. Souza was a rebel and non-conformist and these views reflect in his painting style also. At the same time, there is a visible influence of the folk art of Goa, the Renaissance paintings, landscapes of the 18th and 19th century Europe, etc.

His early work appears to be influenced by Western Art as well as Indian modernist traditions. Souza paintings are peopled with erotic female nudes, landscapes and Christian themes. Souza’s creative work revolves largely around his Roman Catholic background as well as his hostility towards it. Souza seems to have been forever searching for novelty.Souza abhorred convention and this element figured prominently in his unrestrained and defiant brush as it recreating his own commandments for a perfect civilization and enlightened art. 

His pen was equally potent. He penned several articles and publications which dealt with diverse subjects and included political issues and scientific inquests. He won the Guggenheim International Award in 1958. Writing about himself, he goes into the sequence of death, creation, endeavor, failure, alcoholism and sobriety.His thinking was a medley of diverse influences: the folk art of native Goa, the upbeat stance of the Catholic church, the grandiose portraiture of Renaissance Europe and the landscape art of the 18th and 19th century. He kept track of the writings of Einstein, Darwin and Hawking, and mixed science and art to create canvases peopled with largely disturbing, powerful images. 

Souza was an international figure where art was concerned and displayed his work at exhibitions in France, Japan, Germany, Sweden, Italy, Brazil, Argentina, USA, Canada and India. He had been represented in important group shows featuring themes from religion to erotic art and his collection are found in famed museums, to mention a few Israel to Australia to the Tate Gallery in London.

New York remained his domicile until his death in march 28, 2002.

 For more paintings on Old  masters please visit www.indianartideas.com

Andrew Lloyd Webber’s art charity was rapped by the Charity Commission yesterday for allowing the theatre impresario to recall its pictures to hang them privately at his homes or offices.

The commission said that it was satisfied that Lord Lloyd-Webber had paid a licence fee, or rent, for the paintings which was set by an independent valuer. But it criticised the charity for creating the impression that its multi-millionaire founder was personally benefiting from the charity.

The commission criticised the trustees’ decision to display painting of St Cecilia by John William Waterhouse at London’s Palace Theatre during the run of the Andrew Lloyd Webber musical Woman in White which it argued “enhanced this perception of private benefit to the founder”.

Its report said: “Such perceptions need to be appropriately managed by the trustees so as not to erode public trust and confidence in this charity and charities more generally.”

The investigation was also told that there had been occasions when paintings had been recalled while on public display, coinciding with dignitaries viewing Lord Lloyd-Webber’s private collection. The commission advised the trustees that paintings should not be recalled in this way as this was a private benefit.

However, the Commission found that there were clear benefits to the public from the charity both through the public display of the paintings at galleries and exhibitions and through the foundation’s website.

A spokeswoman for the Andrew Lloyd Webber Art Foundation said the charity had accepted and implemented all the recommendations put forward by the commission.

The serene beaches, emerald backwaters, lush hill stations, exotic wildlife, waterfalls, sprawling plantations and enchanting art forms of Kerala that charm holidayers from around the world will adorn the country’s superfast train Rajdhani Express.

The 2431/2432 Nizamuddin-Thiruvananthapuram-Nizamuddin Rajdhani Expresses with paintings on tourist attractions of God’s Own Country is to be flagged off by Union Minister for Tourism Kumari Selja from Nizamuddin station on January 17. Kerala Minister for Tourism and Home Kodiyeri Balakrishnan is to attend the programme.

The Rajdhani Express that links New Delhi to the State capitals offers the unique opportunity of experiencing Indian Railways at its best. It is for the first time that the tourist attractions of a State are being featured on the coaches of the country’s prestigious train.

“It is part of the innovative promotion strategy to enhance more visibility for the destination and unique tourism products the State has to offer and to attract domestic tourists to Kerala in the coming days,” Director of Tourism M. Shivasankar told The Hindu.

All the 17 coaches of the superfast fully air-conditioned Rajdhani Express have been painted with distinct images of Kerala. As the train traverses Rajasthan, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Goa and Karnataka en route to Thiruvananthapuram and back, Mr. Shivasankar said, it would promote the tourist destinations in a big way.

Tourism Secretary V. Venu said it was the most innovative and exciting promotion strategy adopted by Kerala Tourism till date. “This is going to do wonders for the State,” he said. The State had managed to adorn the colours of Kerala at a whopping cost of Rs.1.2 crore and the promotion would be for the next six months.

The strategy to attract domestic tourists in a big way comes in the wake of the apprehensions about the decline in international tourist arrivals due to recession. Kerala Tourism is all set to kick off a three-month campaign across the country from February 1 to attract more domestic travellers. 

The Rajdhani Express that links New Delhi to the State capitals offers the unique opportunity of experiencing Indian Railways at its best. It is for the first time that the tourist attractions of a State are being featured on the coaches of the country’s prestigious train.

o be held at the historic Lalit Kala Akademi in New Delhi from January 23 to February 5, 2010, this exhibition outlines the arc of a prolific artistic career spanning several decades.

Featuring over 120 works, the exhibition includes several iconic paintings that highlight the wide scope of Krishen Khanna’s artistic practice. Drawn from important public and private collections around India, including the artist’s own, this landmark exhibition reflects Krishen Khanna’s dynamic oeuvre through some of his most significant early works as well as a group of his recent paintings.

Speaking about this retrospective, Dinesh Vazirani, CEO and Co-founder of Saffronart, said, “Krishen Khanna is one of India’s most celebrated modernists, and someone who has had a profound influence on many other artists. This exhibition brings together some of the most significant works from each period of his remarkable career. As they trace his career, the works on display also highlight the artist’s complex narratives, his deep interest in human relationships, and his technical virtuosity.”

“This year, Saffronart also celebrates 10 years of commitment to providing a comprehensive global platform for modern and contemporary Indian art, and contributing to the sustainable growth of the Indian art market. We would like to thank the many individuals and institutions that have made this retrospective possible,” he added.

This retrospective follows the 2007 exhibition hosted by Saffronart at the Royal Academy of Art in London, and features paintings and drawings that chart the evolution of the Indian nation and its people through important events like the Partition of the Subcontinent.

Artist Krishen Khanna expressed his gratitude saying, “I am honoured by the generous response and enthusiasm that collectors and institutions around the country have had for this retrospective exhibition. I’m delighted that the public will get a chance to see such a comprehensive body of my work at the Lalit Kala Akademi.”

An illustrated catalogue with an introduction by the artist will accompany the exhibition.

Gaurav D. Garg, Managing Director & CEO, Tata AIG General Insurance Company Ltd. said “We are proud to reaffirm our commitment to the arts through our involvement in the Krishen Khanna retrospective”.

Saffronart, an online art auctioneer, will organize the largest ever retrospective exhibition of the works of Krishen Khanna, one of India’s most prominent and critically acclaimed modern artists.

India’s spectacular architecture, the immense natural beauty of her landscapes and the great diversity of its people have inspired many Western artists. The first visual representations of India were of imaginary landscapes and settings. They were based on the written accounts of travellers to India from across Europe, beginning with the explorer Marco Polo in the 13th century. The search for spices and precious materials motivated further exploration and the establishment of European trading companies in Asia. The trading activities of the English East India Company, founded in 1600, led to the growth of British communities in India, an environment which encouraged artistic patronage. Professional European artists began to travel to India in the 18th century and painted, for the first time, scenes based on direct observation. Their passionate interest in this new and exciting land led to the creation of a comprehensive pictorial record of India, in a visual style familiar to Western audiences. Indian Life and Landscape by Western Artists: Paintings and Drawings from the V&A, 1790-1927, the ongoing art exhibition, features masterpieces of art created during this time; priceless works that bear silent testimony to a bygone era. Hosted by The Victoria Memorial Hall and the Victoria and Albert Museum, London and supported by the World Collections Programme.

Born: 1887
Died: 1972
Achievements: Developed a personal painting style inspired largely by traditional Indian folk and village arts, particularly those of Bengal. Through his paintings he gave expression to the scenes of everyday life of the people of rural Bengal

Jamini Roy was one of the most significant and influential painters of the 20th century. He was born in a middle-class family in 1887 at Beliator village in Bankura district of Bengal. His father Ramataran Roy was an amateur artist who, after resignation from government service, spent the rest of his life in his village amidst the potters.

In 1903, at the age of sixteen, Jamini Roy came to Calcutta and studied at the Government School of Art. He learnt academic methods then in vogue in the West, and achieved his early fame as a portrait painter in the European tradition. However, soon Jamini Roy cultivated a personal painting style inspired largely by traditional Indian folk and village arts, particularly those of Bengal. Jamini Roy, through his oil paintings, gave expression to the scenes of every-day life of the people of rural Bengal.

For his paintings, Jamini Roy selected themes from joys and sorrows of everyday life of rural Bengal, religious theme like-Ramayana, Sri Chaitanya, Radha-Krishna and Jesus Christ, but he depicted them without narratives. Apart from this he painted scenes form the lives of the aboriginal Santhals, such as ‘Santhals engaged in drum-beating’ ‘Santhal Mother and Child’ ‘Dancing Santhals’ etc.

In his career as an artist Jamini Roy earned fame by evolving his own language of painting which he termed as ‘Flat Technique’. Jamini Roy used cheap indigenous pigments for his art to make them within the reach of the affluent as well as the poor. Like the pata-painters of Bengal he proposed his own paintings from indigenous materials like lampblack, chalk-powder, leaves and creepers.

The exposition of Jamini Roy’s works were first held in British India Street (Calcutta) in 1938. Jamini Roy’s pictures become very popular during the 1940s and clientele included both the Bengali middle class and European community. In 1946, his work was exhibited in London and in 1953 in New York.

Jamini Roy was honored with the Padma Bhushan in 1955. He died in 1972 in Calcutta.

Some of his famous paintings are:

• Santhal Boy with Drum
• Cats Sharing a Prawn
• St. Ann and the Blessed Virgin
• Makara
• Cats Plus
• Seated Woman in Sari
• Krishna And Radha Dancing
• Kitten
• Virgin And Child
• Crucifixion with Attendant Angels
• Ravana, Sita And Jatayu
• Warrior King
• Krishna with Gopis in Boat
• Krishna and Balarama

for more paintings on Jamini roy  vist www.indianartideas.com  or mail us at info@indianartideas.com