Media Coverage | 01-09-2022
Painting exhibition opens at Jehangir Art Gallery, to continue till Sept 5
Though these artists may have no formal art education, the true spirit of the heart is reflected in the paintings in ‘Four Stories’. That is why they are not just paintings but a feeling of thought and sensitivity, said Maharashtra governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari.
It is essential that art lovers should savour them. These four artists, who experienced agony and anguish around them during the coronavirus pandemic, gave vent to their emotions through colour and the intensity of their experience is reflected in the paintings, the governor further said while inaugurating the exhibition at Jehangir Art Gallery on Tuesday.
Coordinated by Triptee Jain, founder of Mumbai Art Expressions, this exhibition titled ‘Four Stories’ hosts paintings by four artists including the chairman of editorial board of Lokmat Media and former member of Rajya Sabha Vijay Darda, Search Institute chief architect Jayashree Bhalla, artist and ace photographer Rachana Darda and artist Bina Thakrar.
Earlier, Bhagat Singh Koshyari inaugurated the exhibition by lighting the traditional lamp. The speaker of Maharashtra Legislative Assembly Rahul Narwekar, senior NCP leader and MP Praful Patel, and Swami Nityanand Charan Das of ISKCON were the chief guests.
Unfolding the story behind the ‘Four Stories’ in his introductory remarks, Vijay Darda said, “As a journalist, editor, MP and a sensitive person, I have tried to present through my paintings all the colours of what I have seen and experienced while moving around in the society, especially during a terrible crisis like coronavirus pandemic. These paintings not only convey the sentiments but also serve the purpose behind it. That is why we will try to maintain social commitment by putting the proceeds from the sale of paintings to constructive social use.”
About the other three artists, Vijay Darda said his younger sister Jayashree Bhalla is very fond of nature. This affinity is reflected in her paintings. Rachana Darda’s paintings are adorned with subtleties and finer details. Bina’s paintings convey a sense of devotion.
Speaking on the occasion, Swami Nityanand Charan Das said if the intentions and sentiments are noble, they will reflect in your art. This is evident from the paintings of these four artists. Jayashree Bhalla’s son Shantanu Bhalla expressed his gratitude and appreciated his mother for her dedication to painting.
At the outset, Vijay Darda, Triptee Jain, Rachana Darda and Bina Thakrar welcomed the guests, while Shanaya Darda, a younger member of the Darda family, and Devendra Darda, managing director and editorial director of Lokmat Media, proposed a vote of thanks.
‘Four Stories’ paintings to adorn Raj Bhavan, Vidhan Bhavan
Vijay Darda announced that the proceeds from the sale of the paintings displayed at this exhibition will be used for social cause. Picking up this thread, the governor started his speech by announcing that he will purchase one painting each from all the four artists for Raj Bhavan. Seconding the governor’s idea, Rahul Narwekar said he will also buy four paintings, one from each artist, and display them at Vidhan Bhavan.
Four shades of the quartet
Distressed by the events taking place during the coronavirus pandemic, Vijay Darda, a sensitive artist, gave vent to his feelings through colours. What characterises his paintings is that the various vibrations captured by his mind in his journey from being a journalist to a political leader have been conveyed through his sensitive portrayals of life around him.
Jayashree Bhalla, the chief architect of the Search Institute, has tried to depict the kinship of nature while exploring various shades of its relationship with human life.
Rachana Darda’s work portrays the unique experiment of closely capturing the hidden multi-dimensionality of something as it appears or emerges.
Feeling is the first bond of emotion on the path of devotion. And, the feeling of widening the space of perception comes from this bond of emotion. Realising this theme, Bina has woven a blend of devotion to Lord Krishna and the bond of emotion.
Dignitaries grace exhibition
The additional director general of police Milind Bharambe, senior IRS officer Sameer Wankhede, chief minister’s additional chief secretary Bhushan Gagrani, managing director of CIDCO
Dr Sanjay Mukherjee, director general of police Sanjay Kumar, additional commissioner of police Rajeev Jain, Preeti Jain, principal secretary (textiles) Parag Jain, internationally recognised artist Sujata Bajaj, who came from Paris especially for this exhibition, veteran actor Jackie Shroff, singer Roopkumar Rathod, RPG Group chairman Harsh Goenka, Raymond Group chairman Gautam Hari Singhania, Bajaj Electricals MD & CEO Anuj Potdar, K Raheja Group chairman Sandeep Raheja, former housing minister Sureshdada Jain, former health minister Suresh Shetty, Rameshdada Jain, Hafiz Contractor, Madison Advertising chairman Sam Balsara, Smithal Gems chairman Kirit Bhansali, noted chartered accountant Jayendrabhai Shah, Topworth Group chairman Abhay Lodha, Jagran and Mid Day Group director Shailesh Gupta, Milton managing director Ajay Vaghani, Essel Group chairman and managing director Ashok Goel, entrepreneur Vijay Kalantri, entrepreneur Vivek Jadhav, investment advisor Ketan Gorania, famous fashion designer Shaina NC, Reserve Bank of India director Ashutosh Raravikar, Dr Keki Turel, leading pulmonary specialist Dr Jalil Parkar, bariatric surgeon Dr Sanjay Borude, gastroenterologist Dr Amit Maydeo, IVF specialist Dr Nandita Palshetkar, renowned ophthalmologist Dr Tatyarao Lahane, pediatrician Dr Girish Minderkar, renowned singer Roopkumar Rathod, veteran journalist and renowned artist Prakash Bal Joshi, cinema and serial producer Nitin Vaidya, artists Vinod Sharma, Suryakant Lokhande, Deepak Shinde, Niyati Shinde, Om Dhadkar, Sanjeev Sonpipre, Jehangir Art Gallery secretary Mrs Menon were prominent among the many celebrities who graced the inauguration ceremony.
Shades of social commitment
The proceeds from the sale of the paintings by Vijay Darda will be spent on the education of the children of martyred policemen in the Naxal-affected Gadchiroli district.
The proceeds from the sale of Rachana Darda’s paintings will be used to provide high-quality education to the underprivileged children of Yavatmal.<
The proceeds from the sale of Jayashree Bhalla’s paintings will be used to help farmers in Karjat.
The proceeds from the sale of Bina’s paintings will be spent on setting up a medical centre at Safale in Palghar district through the Society for Human and Environmental Development.
Coordinated by Triptee Jain, founder of Mumbai Art Expressions, the exhibition titled
‘Four Stories’ which hosts the paintings by four artists including the chairman of editorial board of Lokmat Media and former member of Rajya Sabha Vijay Darda, Search Institute chief architect Jayashree Bhalla, artist and ace photographer Rachana Darda and artist Bina Thakrar, was inaugurated at the hands of Maharashtra governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari in presence of the speaker of Maharashtra Legislative Assembly Rahul Narwekar and senior NCP leader and MP Praful Patel. Sushil Kadam
Bollywood actor Jackie Shroff graced the exhibition too. The chairman of editorial board of Lokmat Media and former member of Rajya Sabha Vijay Darda showed him around after the exhibition was ceremonially inaugurated.
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