Shashwat Maharathi: The Eternal Seeker

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This exhibition seeks to render to the public eye a panoramic view of the complete oeuvre of Upendra Maharathi and lay open to the scrutiny of the discerning mind, the whole gamut of Maharathi's creative genius. In the annals of Indian art many great savants and virtuosos have left an indelible mark. Maharathi holds a special place in the midst of this exclusive pantheon, insofar as he personified the soul of India in all its vastness and diversity. He was beholden not to a particular style, or even a medium of artistic expression for that matter. Nor was his vision limited to a particular era, religion or a school of philosophy. His canvas was broad and upon it, he captured the many folds and creases of the contours of India's unique character, history and thought. He beheld India Sub specie aeternitatis (under the aspect of eternity) and hence the christening of this exhibition, "Shashwat; The Eternal Seeker". As you walk through these halls and peruse through the many works put up, you will see vistas of Indian life, both contemporary and historical, spring to view.

The great colossuses of India's history are depicted. Gandhi in his many moods is captured and so is Buddha in all his divinity. The torment of Yashodhara, the fury of Hanuman, the devotion of Parvati, the tandava of Shiva and many more such breathtaking depictions are seen, capturing the many themes that intertwine together and thereby constituting the multi- threaded character of India.

The portrait of the artist as a young man begins with the ancient land of Kalinga. Upon this fateful ground of Ashoka's Hamartia, so steeped in tradition and culture, the soul of the young artist took shape. From these humble origins, when Maharathi stepped into the hallowed portals of the Government School of art in Kolkata, his artistic sensibilities were forged under the tutelage of such masterful blacksmiths of art as Sir Percy Brown and Mukul Dey. In a period spanning 6 years between 1925-1931, Maharathi specialized in various western and Indian techniques of art, craft and architecture. He mastered the European style of portrait making, wash, tempera style of painting, etching, lithograph, wood craft, pottery, weaving as well as other mediums.

The portrait of the artist as a young man begins with the ancient land of Kalinga. Upon this fateful ground of Ashoka's Hamartia, so steeped in tradition and culture, the soul of the young artist took shape. From these humble origins, when Maharathi stepped into the hallowed portals of the Government School of art in Kolkata, his artistic sensibilities were forged under the tutelage of such masterful blacksmiths of art as Sir Percy Brown and Mukul Dey. In a period spanning 6 years between 1925-1931, Maharathi specialized in various western and Indian techniques of art, craft and architecture. He mastered the European style of portrait making, wash, tempera style of painting, etching, lithograph, wood craft, pottery, weaving as well as other mediums.