With threat of Covid-19 receding, there is an attempt by everyone to return to normalcy and doing that Art Life Gallery, Noida has organised a group art exhibition “Aarambh: A New Beginning”. The show provides opportunity to viewers to see and enjoy artworks in person while allowing artists to interact with them.

Curated by Pratibha Agarwal, the seven participating artists include Deep Kumar, Ruchi Jain, Sonia Kapoor, Tannu Jain, Dr Chitra Singh, Archana Sinha and Vivek Singh.

Sinha’s seven works are all full of life and vigour, giving one a feeling that the scenes depicted are actually happening. Be it the "Gopis with Krishna", “Fish and Peacock” or “Radha With Krishna” or “Ram Sita Vivah” or “Wedding” or “Tulsi Pujan” all are steeped in heritage and tradition.

Radha Krishna by Archana Sinha

Talking about Sinha’s works with India Narrative, Agarwal said: “Her forte is primarily Warli and Madhubani folk arts. The most important characteristics of Madhubani are heavy detailing and the bright, vibrant colours.”

"Face of Jadugar" by Deep Kumar

Of the eight works of Kumar two stand out. These are “Face of Jadugar” and “Waiting Women”. The former is a poignant portrayal of Jesus with the eyes reflecting kindness with the crown of thorns completing the picture of piety. The other work is a mere outline of a woman with her hand resting on her head conveying patience as she looks forward to meeting her loved one. The remaining works are colourful serene landscapes.

Chitra Singh's "Walking"

Chitra Singh’s two acrylic on canvas works titled “Walking” show the silhouette of two persons walking away. The warmth of their intimacy is imparted through the arm of one person encircling the other while the happiness they share in each other’s company comes through their swagger. Describing her as a multi-faceted person for India Narrative, Agarwal observed: “Chitra Singh is interested in all aspects of life. The simplest happenings around her are her inspiration for her paintings.”

Four of Ruchi Jain’s artworks are human faces depicting beauty and serenity. The faces include that of Lord Buddha, Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore – both life-like; and two attractive women – whose simplicity is charming.

"Thirsty Camel" by Ruchi Jain

Her “Thirsty Camel” and “Village Women” are two works that are bound to draw attention. The first has a desert woman in a traditional attire leading her camel, with the animal touching the metal vessels balanced on her head, conveying the craving for water. The grey, black, yellow, golden, and blue hues in the background bring out the desert ambience. In the second work two village women – both in complete contrast in terms of colour, figure and expression – exchange news standing under a tree. Jain surely displays her skill with sketching and painting.

Sonia Kapoor's "Love With Krishna"

Kapoor’s two works titled “Love With Krishna” have a contemporary touch as the woman devotee in them, adorns a dress made of peacock feathers. One face will definitely remind viewers of popular actor Katrina Kaif. The woman in her charcoal on paper work “Waiting” is different from the one in Kumar’s “Waiting Women”. Here adorned in finery, the eyes of the beautiful woman, convey certain impatience, disappointment yet hope also.

"Water Storage" by Tannu Jain

Tannu Jain’s acrylic on paper and canvas with the same name “Water Storage” gives the viewer a rural feel where even today water is stored in huge pitchers and kept in shade to become cool. There is realistic touch in both the works while the drawing and painting are both done well.

Untitled by Vivek Singh

Vivek Singh’s seven works dealing with abstracts and nature are full of colour. Each has a vibrancy and energy that is infectious. Talking about him, Agarwal remarked: “He is totally in love with nature. He prefers giving an abstract twist to nature where the forests and woods are so deep one might just get lost in the foliage.”

(The show is on view till October 13, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.)

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