From myraid hues of Himalayas to the depiction of simple people in different settings, a beautiful amalgamation of human and nature is reflected through several paintings and bronze sculptures at the 'Swell' exhibition here.
Artist Chandranath Das showcased his 26 paintings based on the theme of Himalayas at the six-day exhibition which concluded here yesterday, where sculptor Somnath Chakraborty also presented his 25 bronze sculptures depicting social life and nature.
"My work presents the nature of humans," Chakraborty told PTI while pointing towards one of his favourite works titled 'Jalkechal' depicting tribal women returning home with pitchers on their heads.
"I'm working with tribals at Ghatshila in Jharkhand, that's why this sculpture is close to my heart," said the artist who got his degree in Fine Arts from Government College of Art, Kolkata.
His works like 'Frugal' which shows a man making calculations while going to market to buy something, or 'Childhood' which portrays three children trying to catch a kite reflect the innocence of human life exude simplicity.
While the relationship of a mother and her child is a common theme, the sculptor from Kolkata put up a unique work showing the affection between a father and child in the sculpture titled 'Oh My Son'.
Chakraborty and Das said their works were a result of creativity in last one year.
A woman in bronze titled 'She' graciously brings to life the fashion parade, as if all set for the ramp, while through 'Livelihood' the sculptor tries to present the "monumentality" of a fisherman pulling his net from a water body.
Amid the serenity of Chakraborty's sculptures, Das's strokes in bright colours light up the exhibition hall with red, blue and yellow hues dominating his works.
Asked why he showcases Himalayas in all his works, Das, the curator of Himalayan Mountaineering Institute, Darjeeling, said, "When I get up from my bed in the morning and open the curtains, from then till going to bed again in the night, I see the Himalayan range (Kanchenjunga) from my window. I like Himalayan culture, colourful things, all subjects related to the Himalayas."
His favourite work 'Romantic Himalaya' reveals the influence of the beauty and grandeur of Himalayas on him.
While the colour red is prominent in most of his works, the shades of blue denoting the earth, nature and sky and yellow add vibrancy to the paintings.
Taking inspiration of his works from the daily life,
Das explained that his Yak painting portrayed the power and force of the animal - the porter of the mountains.
Similarly, the 'Everest' had one's eyes glued to the snowclad mountains and the melting glacier.
Standing out among the presentations is the portrayal of the resting place in Darjeeling of Sister Nivedita, a social worker, author, teacher and a disciple of Swami Vivekananda, who died there in 1911.
Das said through his work, he wants to draw attention towards the building now which is in desperate need of repair and maintenance and added that his work was a sort of tribute to Sister Nivedita.
While colouring bright spring in oil on canvas, the painter also showcased prayer flags in 'Peace' with a Tibetan monk trying to bring peace on earth from heaven.
Equally eye catching is the 'Lord Ganpati on Himalaya', a mix of Buddhist and Hindu forms in one painting.
Noted film actor and director Rahul Bose was among the art buffs who came to catch of glimpses of the creations. He particularly praised the painting on Darjeeling and the sculpture depicting the mother and child.
"The works are mainly reflected on various moments to rise or extend above the surrounding level as clouds, seas, mountains, human nature, etc," the two artists said.
While this is Chakraborty's 10th exhibition, Das presented his works for the first time in Mumbai. Both artists were happy with the response in the metropolis and plan to come again soon to display more of their creative works.
According to Das, who has a Master and Research degree (AMA) in Cultural Heritage and Restoration from UK and Italy, his paintings have been exhibited at the Rashtrapati Bhawan in New Delhi, National Library in Kolkata, besides various other places in India and abroad.
Chakraborty, who lives in Kolkata, has had his works displayed in India and abroad.
