There is a little of Shiva in all of us A unique exhibition that depicts the only God with a complete family

There is a little of Shiva in all of us

A unique exhibition that depicts the only God with a complete family

    Though a taxman by profession, Bharat Tripathi is an artist at heart. His work maybe a priority, but art is equally important to him and so, he immerses himself into it after work and during weekends. He finds time for it by cutting down heavily on socialising. He says, “I have compartmentalised myself in two worlds and I forget about the professional pressures once I am painting. It completely de-stresses me.”
    Tripathi has always been intrigued by Indian
mythology and has done series of works and shows titled Navdurga and Dashavatar. He says, “I find the stories of our Gods very fascinating. Though they seem implausible, there is an underlying meaning, which we can connect with, even today. I try to reproduce my interpretations on canvas. I believe in God and when I paint, I feel spiritually connected with the almighty.”
    In his show, titled The Story of Shiva, the artist has tried to express the different facets of Lord Shiva, which unfolds like a story. The most striking part of this series is the fact that he has exhibited Shiva in all His phases. For instance, there are paintings depicting Shiva’s marriage procession, His family, the Ganga flowing out of His head, the 12 Jyotirlings, and more.
    For Tripathi, art is a form of intellectual expression. “It is a passion for me and I try to create
works which are aesthetic, full of colours, exude positivity, and appeal to peoples’ sensibilities. Art should inspire and for me, it is a part of my inner self with which I converse every moment of my life and it gives me the strength to face the world.”
    Tripathi, while researching on Shiva, was amazed by the stories and felt extremely inspired by the Hindu God. About his works, he says, “Through my works, I have tried to demystify Shiva. He is one of the most revered Gods in Hindu mythology and when I read stories revolving around him and the character that he personifies, I felt there is a bit of Shiva in everyone of us.”
    Using vibrant colours and a strong visual form of storytelling, the artist beckons us to peep into the world of Shiva, that he created.
The exhibition can be viewed at Coomaraswamy Hall, Prince of Wales Museum, Kala Ghoda, December 19 - 25, 11 am to 7 pm

Nandi

Shiva with his family

Bharat Tripathi