A series celebrating the beauty of lines

Hyderabad based renowned artists Poosapati Parameshwar Raju and Koeli Mukherjee Ghose are showcasing their work at the Jehangir Art Gallery till July 30.

Titled Line Goes for A Walk, the title is in reference from Paul Klee’s quote; ‘drawings are simply a line taking a walk’.

Poosapati (Title) Parameshwar Raju is a world renowned calligrapher and designer while Koeli Mukherjee Ghose is an eminent artist, art historian and curator.

Works of art by the two artists are predominantly based on the lyricism of the line work, that is essentially unperturbed and takes a long walk as far as their imaginings meander.

Speaking to us, both artists share thoughts on their present series and about art in general.

Describe a bit to us your artistic style.

Koeli: My drawings and paintings, celebrate my involvement with the visual arts of seeing, feeling, experiencing the fragility of moments. Reading everyday happenings with a poetic sensibility; there is a sense of joy in acknowledging the insubstantial, wispy, lightweight, dancing and cobwebby nature of the lines that I draw.

In the beginning there is nothing in my mind, at least it appears to be that way, but as soon as my quill makes its way, with ink laden rapid strokes on the wet surface; knitting, weaving of multiple thoughts- experience and vision are recalled in layers and beyond immediate comprehension.

Parameshwar: At the very beginning, I learnt the art of pothi writing. The visual element in the pothi writing is also present in the form of a painting. This I wanted to create with the same tool i.e the nib instead of painting so that it would have a visual homogeneity. This engagement took me deeper into the world of calligraphy, where from basic forms depicting gods I moved on  to narration of lores and mythology.

Tell us a bit about your present series

Parameshwar: My recent works delve deep into the cosmic collaboration of creator and all that is created. The thoughtful and overwhelming significance of Jagannath combines the  Spiritual and the social aspect of working together. My visualisation of this Culture similarly imagines a collaboration of design with traditional and contemporary artisan practice.

Balabhadra is the Kshetragnya, Jagannatha is time or Kaal and Subhadra is Prakriti. The representation of elongated eyes, indicate the rational essence of Balabhadra and Subhadra whereas the instinctive quality quintessence of Jagannatha is rendered by round eyes. The devotees relate to the trinity in day to day human exchanges and rituals.

What do you do when not painting?

Koeli: I am researching on Parameshwar Raju's calligraphy work and curating his shows as well as curating a series of group shows for the Ailamma Art Gallery in Hyderabad that includes many young and mid-career artists. I practice my Carnatic music lessons; play with my dogs - a Labrador and a German shepherd. Get into the kitchen and prepare healthy food with lots of vegetables. But realistically speaking I have no free time, as I have an intimidating reading list to complete.

Tell us a bit about yourself beyond being a painter.

Parameshwar: I spend about 6 hours daily in my studio practicing my calligraphy, I read in my library and often enjoy cooking traditional delicacies in my kitchen. I keep busy throughout the day in meetings related to my work, in galleries while putting up my show and this happens at regular intervals. I travel at very short notice; related to my work and exhibitions. I like visiting exhibitions of other artists and meeting traditional craftsmen in their workshops

I enjoy reading and working on my design projects. I like getting together with likeminded friends and discuss art and aesthetics. I have a green thumb and I am fond of tending my indoor plants and some that grows in the backyard as well.- I plan to set up a Foundation to work with the traditional craftsmen.

What does art mean to you?

Parameshwar: Art for me is everything between fun and prayers.

Koeli: This is best articulated by Rabindranath Tagore as I quote him from What is Art-'Art is valuable intrinsically, as a river ought to be, not for its functionality, but for itself. Art, to me is a mysterious expression of the human spirit and an expression of an individual's emotional self.'

The exhibition continues till July 30 at Jehangir Art Gallery, Hirji Gallery, Kala Ghoda from 11am to 7pm.