Work of renewal and emotions

Ponnu Elezabeth Mathew on Bhagyanath's exhibition at Kashi Art Gallery, Kochi

Once a little girl asked her Daddy what he would get her when he gets home. He replied, "I'll get you the moon." Though he couldn't get her the real moon, he rightfully portrayed that in his paintings, juxtapositioning elements of fantasy and freedom. The person in focus is Bhagyanath.C, one of the most endowed hands shaping the milieu of inspirational art from God's own country.

Among most awe-inspiring encounters of an art lover, the exhibition of drawings and paintings at the Kashi art café, Kochi, by Bhagyanath is sure to find its place. A work of fiery renewal and deeper emotions, the artist has come a long way from being groomed by his father, as a young artist, from sleepy eyed Tellicherry of north Kannur to the art bazaar effervescent with contemporary hands. Known to the world as an effectual illustrator, Bhagyanath has held his audience interested through his pragmatic illustrations, but indeed, marched ahead with time and replenished the art scene with some gritty images, based on themes surfacing from his experiences as a man and as an artist. Treating the beholder to a solid imagery with underlying meanings, Bhagyanath has drawn a vivid picture stemming from life experiences of all those values he holds good to heart. Though drawing inspiration from a lot of other artists, his works reflect an inimitable style, truly representative of his emotions, encompassing images of the whoes of city life and the possibilities of life and relationships. Hailing from the serene village of north Kannur, the trauma of the traffic jams and the value of time he felt in his two-year stint as an art student in Hyderabad are truly reflected in his piece, 'Trapped'. Also perceptible is the indisputable portrayal of animal instincts that lays buried inside of every human, an altered school of Fauvism in my opinion. Unlike some other artists who stick to particular themes, Bhagyanath chooses not to deal with one particular subject. "After all one cannot stick to one topic throughout life," he says.

There are times when we ponder why there are so many hackneyed enactments of the world around us through art. But the rumination of the everyday communiqués and stings of life, is what we comprehend in the media and in art and also what comprehends them. And art is the essential medium to depict them in full strength. And Bhagyanath has proved it true.

Picture credits: Kashi Art Gallery