Miniature paintings make a splash
Miniature paintings, usually dealt in by Rahul J. Phulkar in general, offer rich and vibrant use of colors, employ pastoral settings, and focus on human figures; and these paintings are no exception to this generality.
The color palette, backdrop, and figures used in these paintings are purely Indian and give an essence of the traditional Indian art and culture. And yet the creative genius of the artist has allowed him to express his individuality despite this generality. These paintings are essentially “creations” of the artist’s imagination, in which he has employed all his innovative energies to capture glimpses of his imaginative, artistic world. In his work, he has tried to convey “his” own idea of beauty and has eternalized beauty in the process.
Vandana Prasad talks to Rahul who recently held an exhibition using poster colors and color pencils on Ivory Paper titled “Bhadraksh – one with beautiful eyes” at Malaka Spice, Koregaon Park.
How did you get into painting?
Painting is something which I started doing right from my college days. Actually I got fascinated by some miniature paintings and this led to the birth of an artist within me. At the beginning I started painting by looking at the ideas around me. After that I started developing my own ideas. Apart from this one of my college friends also persuaded me to start painting, and along with some of my college friends our first ever painting exhibition was held at Nehru Art Center, Mumbai. So this is how it started and is still going on.
How long you have been doing this?
I have been associated with painting since 2002, but simply as a hobby.
What inspired you to turn towards painting?
The miniature paintings just caught my attention and this was how I started doing paintings. Again my style of painting is totally different. The medium that I use is a poster colour media, which is rarely used by any artist. Poster colour is something which helps me to do detailed work .Now I started doing painting on canvas also.
From where do you get the idea of painting?
By looking at the old Indian paintings related to our culture. Again paintings of the great artist Raja Ravi Verma, has also inspired me a lot to select various themes of my paintings.
Do you think with the coming up of digital paintings the importance of hand drawn paintings have diminished?
No, I don’t think so. Digital paintings can’t give the same impact as we can have with the stroke of our hand.
How can painting appreciation be popularized?
Conducting various workshops, exhibitions can be a way to popularize painting among people.
Tell us something about your paintings?
My painting is mostly based on old Indian culture. It can date back to the time when the Moghuls ruled. It can be of any rulers there palaces etc. Sometimes, these artifacts make us wistful and help us go back in time to the age when Moghuls ruled India. They free us, however momentarily, from the shackles of postmodern relativity and enable us to endure a transcendental experience, an experience that lends meaning to existence.
The theme of your painting “Bhadraksh – one with beautiful eye” how did that came to your mind?
Bhadraksh means eyes. I have concentrated more on eyes. In each of my paintings you will see an eye. Actually this idea came to me through south India. South Indians highlights there eyes very much. I thus got fascinated by that. This was how the idea got developed within me.
Recent series of your work which we will get to see?
I am planning to do canvas painting after this.
How do you get the idea of painting and what mental processes are involved in it?
Actually I never pre plan anything when I start any work. It just happens. Whatever is on my mind I get it done on the canvas through the brush.
Ever thought of taking painting as a career?
No, never. It’s just a hobby and I want to stick to that only. I do it just to satisfy myself. I never expect anything out of it.
Any advice to an artist just starting out?
Keep on doing new and new things. Hard work always gets rewarded. Most importantly have patience.
Any one liner that keeps you going?
Well, when it comes to anything that keeps me going then it has to be my friend who always pressurizes me to do new things.
More articles by Vandana Prasad
- “The economic process of recession is much bigger to be shaped by a bankrupt and inefficient government!” - September 28th, 2009
- Shake-o-Holic - September 27th, 2009
- Monsoon Destinations: Harishchandragad Fort - September 26th, 2009
- Mega Dandiya @ Pan Card Club (September 36th Week 2009) - September 24th, 2009
- “There is creativity in every person, but it needs to be ignited” - September 21st, 2009
Amazing work by Rahul! very unique in his style, fascinating to see old indian culture through his art!
Your work is really breath taking….very nicely done …. impeccable…..colour combination are flawless… keep up the good work Rahul.!!