Quills: The World of Words: Artopia- "Elixir of Voices: An Exhibition of Art Works by Twenty-Eight Artists", Ailamma Art Gallery, 8 March, 2017

A Man’s face is his Autobiography. A Woman’s face is her

work of Fiction

Oscar Wilde

Many readers may find themselves outraged at the

quirky humour of Oscar Wilde.

However, I would like to take it as a compliment. I argue that the statement, with unquestionable ease, highlights the inherent creative capacities in women.

Some women may use their creativity to lead colourful lives, in the Wildean sense, but there are others who re-imagine their reality and harvest marvelous works of art.

Many women are gifted with the rare ability to conjure that which does not exist. It is a gift, and like all gifts it is meant to be given away. Artists gift their vision to the world and become a rainbow in the dark lives of souls that desire to heal through art.

All artists surround Srimati Jamuna Ramana Rao Garu

On 8^th March, 2017, at the Ailamma Art Gallery, Hyderabad, many artists gathered to showcase their artworks. Tastefully curated by well known curator, Koeli Mukherjee Ghose, the Gallery walls displayed works by twenty-eight artists, both men and women from the city. The exhibition was inaugurated by popular actress, Shrimati Jamuna Ramana Rao Garu. It included artworks by Anita Rao, Anjum, Archana Rajguru, Aruna Chandraraju, Ashima Dewan, Bindu Upadhay, Frazona Khanoon, Sravanti Juluri, Kappari Kishan, Koeli Mukherjee Ghosh, Kiran Asanabada, Lavanya Dutt, Maredu Ramu, Parameshwar Raju, Partha Pratim Roy, Pavan Kumar, Piu Mohapatra, Rupavani Talari, Sai Madhuri, Sabita Lakshmanan, Swetha Chandra, Syed Shaeik, Uma Tirumalasetti, U Vijay Kumar, Vimala Maroju and yours truly.

Senor Gonzalo absorbed in poetry

I don’t paint with brushes but with words. I am thankful to Koelidi and Parameshwar Raju Sir for considering my poems for the exhibition.

Writing on the Wall!

Art work by Parameshwar Raju

The artworks were diverse.

included landscapes, portraits, collages, photographs and poetry. I interacted with many interesting women with equally interesting stories. It was a delight talking to painter, Ashima Dewan. Her painting of bright yellow flowers filled my heart with joy. The sight of the orange canvas with a layer of orangier (poetic licence :)) flowers was simply delightful. Her works will take you straight to some warm, Mediterranean island, where you can visualize yourself, swaying on a hammock and lazily watching the world go by while sipping chilled Mojitos.

Ashima Dewan's Work

The sprightly languor in her work is not the tale of an artist who practices art in monastic isolation. Rather, they come from a woman who spent years of her life as a housewife battling domestic violence and then took up Art as a refuge.

Some orange therapy!

She is a self-taught painter and art has given her the life that she is in love with now.

I also got know more about Sabita Lakshmanan's works which I have always admired.

Sabita Lakshmanan's creations

I found her painting intriguing. The human forms and other shapes merge and arise magically from each other. They express the quintessential sense of quest and ambiguity that define our lives.

It was also nice to meet Anjum. Her works tried to capture women who suffered acid attacks. They were a combination of collage work and painting.

Anjum's work

I found the series avant garde and interesting. The colour palate was disturbing and did justice to the thought that went into her work.

I was also absorbed in one of the works by Sravanti Juluri. I could see Greek gods sleeping and waking in the floating colours on her canvas.

Sravanthi's painting

Koeli Mukherjee Ghose's work

Koeli Mukherjee Ghose's work exhibited its usual unique style: blending the everyday woman with an extraordinary perspective.

The exhibition was a grand success; not the kind where visitors scan each other over goblets of wine. It was more of a homely, chai and samosa kind of display. There was delightful camaraderie among artists.

Artists lost in conversations!

Art is difficult to pursue and seldom materially rewarding. But organised display and promotion of art has done much good. This exhibition was yet another effort by art lovers of the city to highlight their works and give back to society, the joy and meaning of creation and revolution. It was befitting to organise it on International Women's Day at the iconic Ailamma Art gallery, named after Ailamma, the woman who bravely fought against the feudal landlords of Telangana.

The exhibition similarly highlighted the thoughtful, brave, arcane and pleasant works by artists. The gallery became an Artopia, sheltering and disseminating messages on womanism and humanism.

Some pics of the Evening!