EI - Ekphrasis India

VOLUME 1

MARCH NUMBER 1

JANUARY

FEBRUARY

2

0

1

2

Visit:

http://ekphrasis-india.blogspot.in

Mail us on :

[email protected]

Welcome to the first issue of Ekphrasis India’s online Magazine, EI

Prologue 1

The Writers 2-6

Anukriti Sharma

Samik Bhattacharya

Mihir Vatsa

Rahul Sharma

Virtuoso 7-19

Abanindranath Tagore

His Story

Windows to the past: Paintings by

Tagore

The Spell of Time: A Poem on Tagore’s

Timeless Painting

Poetry Writing Contest 20-32

The Winners

The Prizes

CONTENTS

Cover Painting – © Prakash Nayak

Magazine Background –

©Animesh Nandi – his painting has

been edited to Black and White

The Writers –

Mihir Vatsa

Rahul Sharma

Samik Bhattacharya

Anukriti Sharma

EI Magazine (Concept and Design),

Montage Photographs – Anukriti

Sharma

Contest Painting – Samik

Bhattacharya

Cover(Back) Poem – Susma Sharma

Gurumayum

Published by –

Ekphrasis India

CONTENTS

Featured Artists

Abanindranath Tagore

Om Swami

Sunil Tambe

Ajay De

Jiaur Rahman

Anjolie Ela Menon

Ranabir Saha

Pawan Sharma

Gouri Vemula

Satish Multhalli

Reena Prasad

Aurulent Tones

Rajarajan

The Man Behind the Veil

Felino A. Soriano

Assemblage of approbated rhythms

Abhishek Rath

A Panegyric on the Painting

Featured Artist 33-40

Om Swami

His Story

Vibrant Moods

Featured Poets 41-79

Abhishek, ‘Sahir’

Us Sham Hua Yuun Mehfil Mein…

Annie Besant

The House that Love Built

Arvind Kumar Sharma

Raga of Life

CONTENTS

Cijo Abraham Mani

The durbar of Music

Dr. A.V. Koshy

Tansen

Gopakumar. R

I sing for you

Jaya Swarup

Have nots

Madhumita Ghosh

Play on…

Nishi Jain

The Evening Song

Pooja Sharma Rao

Patriarchy

Suraj Samtani

Inspired to perform

Susma Sharma Gurumayum

The Gathering (Haiku Chain)

Zeenath Ibrahim

Absences

The Painted World 80-140

Sunil Tambe

His Artwork

Eye-imprints – Mihir Vatsa

Featured Poets

Abhishek Rath

Abhishek, Sahir

Annie Besant

Arvind Kumar Sharma

Cijo Abraham Mani

Dr. A.V. Koshy

Felino A. Soriano

Gopakumar. R

Jaya Swarup

Madhumita Ghosh

Nishi Jain

Pooja Sharma Rao

Rajarajan

Reena Prasad

Rukhaya MK

Suraj Samtani


Zeenath Ibrahim

CONTENTS

Poetry by Ekphrasis India:

The Spell of Time

Eye–Imprints

Through your Eyes

Crimson Blood

The Silence of his Life

Gautam Buddha Road

Scars

Ev-e-il

Re-death

Ajay De

His Artwork

Through your Eyes – Samik

Bhattacharya

Jiaur Rahman

His Artwork

Crimson Blood – Anukriti Sharma

Anjolie Ela Menon

Her Artwork

The Silence of His Life – Rahul Sharma

Ranabir Saha

His Artwork

Gautam Buddha Road – Mihir Vatsa

Pawan Sharma

His Artwork

Scars – Samik Bhattacharya

Gouri Vemula

Her Artwork

Ev-e-il – Anukriti Sharma

Satish Multhalli

His Artwork

Re-death – Rahul Sharma

Montage 141-150

Kala Ghoda Arts Festival, Mumbai

PROLOGUE

India has a culturally rich heritage where art has flourished since

time immemorial. Be it the rock paintings of Bhimbteka or the

carved pillars of Ajanta, millions of creative geniuses have painted

India’s canvas in a mosaic of colours. But, when we talk about art,

what comes to our mind? How many of us really know about Indian

craftsmanship? Leonardo da Vinci, Pablo Picasso, Michelangelo and

many other painters are known by almost everyone; but do we really

know our country’s artists?

We at Ekphrasis India aim to develop awareness among the youth

about Indian art and native art forms. It is a platform to explore

the acumen in each one of us… to understand and appreciate the

beauty of art. Through poetry we aim to communicate with our

readers. To explore famous as well as less known artists in India, is

what we aspire to do. We hope to paint art in the colours of poetic

expression and give voice to the work of Indian talent.

Art is not just an expression, it is a legacy.

‘EI’ is Ekphrasis India’s first step towards preserving this legacy. We

aim to create a sanctuary of poetry and art for the generations to

come. Join us to experience the oeuvre of India, dipped in the shades

of poetic expression.

1

THE WRITERS

THE DREAMER: ANUKRITI SHARMA

Anukriti Sharma is a Mumbai based writer. She is the Founder and

Owner of Ekphrasis India. She completed her post-graduation in

English Literature from Miranda House, Delhi University. A

completely visual person who loves to dream; her passions include

blogging, reading, music, social service and painting. She is the

Founder and Administrator of "My Memoirs of Mesmerizing

Memories"; an award winning blog which has won many accolades

including recognition and prizes from Yahoo! India, Dove, HP, Surf

Excel, HUL, Indiblogger, BlogAdda, BlogJunta and Blogger's

Symposium. Eminent personalities like Javed Akhtar, Ayaz Memon

and Ashok Chakradhar have acknowledged her with the best blog

award for her poem on Mumbai Terror Attack. Her work has also

been published in various college journals and online magazines

like The NRI, Youth Ki Awaaz, and Impulse.

3

THE ARTIST: SAMIK BHATTACHARYA

Samik Bhattacharya is an Engineering student from Bilaspur,

Chhattisgarh. He is the Co-Founder and Chief Designer of

Ekphrasis India. This multi-talented twenty year old is a story-

writer, poet, photographer, painter, guitarist and vocalist. His band

Backyard Bandits is creating waves in Indian music industry. He is

the lead guitarist and vocalist of his band. A blogger who worships

music and loves expressing himself through his artwork; he is also

our In-House Artist. His paintings are meaningful and permeated

with the essence of life. Reality and dreams form the theme of his

works and he aims towards attaining a balance between the

various binaries that surround us. Profoundly inspired by

motivational writers, his work is exceptionally unique and creative

abilities complement his inner personality. He writes his dreams

through his personal blog, "Dreams on Paper Leaves"

At present, he lives in Kolkata.

4

THE POET: MIHIR VATSA

Mihir Vatsa grew up in Hazaribagh, Jharkhand, and currently lives

in New Delhi where he is pursuing his graduation in English

Literature from Delhi University. He is the Co-Founder and

Administrator of Ekphrasis India. A self proclaimed Tourism Activist

in the Hazaribagh region, he is the Founder and Administrator of

'Tales of Hazaribagh'- an online web portal which works for a

healthy tourism in Hazaribagh.

Mihir's poems and writings have been published in various

magazines and journals including Muse India, The Enchanting

Verses Literary Review, Youth ki Awaaz and The River Journal. He is

also the Associate Editor of Vayavya, an online magazine.

5

THE PHILOSOPHER: RAHUL SHARMA

Rahul Sharma is the Co-Founder and the Tech Guru of Ekphrasis

India. He is currently a student of English Literature at Delhi

University and describes himself in the words - Philosopher, lover,

physicist, dreamer, anarchist, stranger, loner, dead. He is the

Founder and CEO of Impulse Magazine - A leading Online Literary

Magazine of India. Impulse is the popular "general interest"

magazine which aims at developing healthy reading taste as well

as writing skill among the masses. Impulse started as an ambitious

endeavor in October 2010 and has now spread its branches across

the Web World. It runs various contests like IWBP and IWBSSW,

which encourage writers to express themselves.

6

VIRTUOSO: ABANINDRANATH TAGORE

7

HIS STORY

8

Abanindranath Tagore was the principal artist and creator of Indian Society

of Oriental Art and the first major exponent of swadeshi values in Indian

art. He was also a noted writer, particularly for children. Popularly known

as 'Aban Thakur', his books Rajkahini, Budo Angla, Nalak, and Ksheerer

Putul are landmarks in Bangla children's literature.

Tagore sought to modernize Moghul and Rajput styles in order to counter

the influence of Western models of art, as taught in Art Schools under

the British Raj. Such was the success of Tagore's work that it was eventually

accepted and promoted as a national Indian style within British art

institutions under the epithet of Indian Society of Oriental Art.

Some of the paintings by Abanindranath Tagore are:

Avisarika (1892)

Banished Yaksha (1904)

Buddha and Sujata (1901)

Chaitanya with his followers on the sea beach of Puri (1915)

Illustrations of Omar Khayyam (1909)

Kacha and Devajani (1908)

Moonrise at Mussouri Hills (1916)

Passing of Shah Jahan (1900)

Pushpa-Radha (1912)

Radhika gazing at the portrait of Sri Krishna (1913)

Shah Jahan Dreaming of Taj (1909)

Summer, from Ritu Sanghar of Kalidasa (1905)

Tales of Arabian Nights (1928)

The Last Journey (1914)

Veena Player (1911)

Source - Wikipedia

WINDOWS TO THE PAST: PAINTINGS BY TAGORE

9

THE SPELL OF TIME: A POEM ON TAGORE’s TIMELESS PAINTING

Days pass as swiftly

As the nights I know

I sit right here for a million years…

I wonder where time has taken you

Along the valleys of surprises.

I wonder if a little spark

Of memory still ignites.

Time keeps slowing down,

As I try to fight myself

No letter from you arrives

No wind carries your smile.

I still sit here with

loneliness as my company…

Eager to hear a distant voice

of someone carrying your news for me.

I let the birds fly…

When they come to me to play

I let the blue flower cry…

In case you come and I am delayed.

But a million years have passed

And a million more are going by

I have sat here for a million years

Waiting for you to teach me to fly...

©Samik Bhattacharya 2012 19

POETRY WRITING CONTEST: 1

©Samik Bhattacharya

20

18 FEATURED POETS

21

THE WINNERS

Reena Prasad

Sharjah, UAE

"Aurulent Tones"

Rajarajan

Trichy, Tamil Nadu, India

"The Man Behind the Veil"

Felino A. Soriano

California, USA

"Assemblage of approbated rhythms"

Abhishek Rath

Bhubaneshwar, Odisha, India

"A Panegyric on the Painting"

1

2

3

4

22

THE PRIZES

1

2

3

4

23

Book worth 300 INR

Books worth 500 INR

Poetry to be published in online magazine

VA Y AV Y A

Poetry to be published in online magazine

I M P U L S E

REENA PRASAD

Reena Prasad is an Indian settled in Sharjah, UAE. She has a poetry blog -

'Butterflies of Time" and writes under the same pen name. She

loves reading, writing, listening to music and photography. She has several

poems published in anthology collections. Her poems have also been

included in online journals and publications like Carty’s Poetry journal ,

Indian Ruminations - Journal of Indian English Writers. Her work has also

been published in online magazines like Youth Ki Awaaz.

Date of Birth – August 14

Website/Blog – http://harivarasanam.wordpress.com

1 1

24

Composed notes

of rigorous skills

met the vibrant dholak beats

Night Ganga lushly flowed

amidst the exotic Oudh smoke

saturated with musk

dispersed with

soft swishes of fanning silk.

Pausing, listening,

flowing with benevolent grace,

Night turned into

a languid panicle of wine and song.

He sang on but silence reigned within

alone with his resplendent throes

A vagabond soul drenched

in an extravaganza of musical mayhem.

Moist eyes transmuted tears

into seven, divine string throbs

Dholak beats echoing the reverberant

overtones of an inner Sarod.

A vibrant Jugalbandi

of trembling tones

inside a resonant soul.

©Reena Prasad 2012

AURULENT TONES

25

RAJARAJAN

Rajarajan is a blogger and critic from Trichy, Tamil Nadu, India. His blog,

“Alchemy” is an attempt to make a person more socio-constructive and open

minded. The feel of a heart, the truth behind, the need for a change, the fact

behind, the true love and just everything your hearts desire are spoken in

his blog.

Name – Rajarajan (Rajthecritic)

Website/Blog – http://thealchemycritics.blogspot.in

2 2

26

THE MAN BEHIND THE VEIL

The sycophant played an occasion,

in his flattery tunes.

And Obtruded by his tunes,

The king lay there in obsession.

Like the mysterious leviathan,

‘The king’ was a hero too with miracles.

Illustrious - illusions were made a

representation.

And it did miracles for the oracles.

Blend in tunes were they;

In trance were their souls.

Opaque were his play

Opaque to truth and souls.

Those were the king and his men

All willing to say a ‘Wah’,

when the king said one. And none

Bothered or worried but never failed

‘Wah’.

Legacy is not always legible;

But still we accept and pray.

For life is better than a funeral;

graceful

Weren’t the days but we shall still live

and not be a prey.

27

“‘Kharahapriya’ – it took me to

heaven”

The king said.

“’Harikhamboji ‘– it is my lord of

heaven”

His sycophant said.

Incorrect was the king and his

flatterer;

He shifted to ‘khamboji’ long before.

Incorrect was the king and his

flatterer.

And neither did they worry about the

truth so condor.

Who shall hear a peasant’s say?

Be it truth or fact,

Who shall hear an untouchable’s say?

For all they care is to protract.

Kingdoms may come and kings may

come;

But we shall only stand behind the

veil.

And behind that veil for ages to come.

With time left to heal and pale.

©Rajarajan 2012

28

FELINO A. SORIANO

Felino A. Soriano is a case manager and advocate for adults with

developmental and physical disabilities. Recent poetry collections

include Intentions of Aligned Demarcations (Desperanto, 2011), Pathos

etched, recalled: (white sky books, 2011), and Divaricated, Spatial

Aggregates (limit cycle press, 2011). He edits and publishes the online

journal, Counterexample Poetics. For information regarding his published

works, editorships, and interviews, do visit his website.

Website/Blog – http://www.felinoasoriano.info

3 3

29

Of the crowd

condensed

controlled (chaotic disposition of time the latent mobility escapes,

enthralled) who

envisions crown atop angled vision, the musical

wholeness of silent space, spatial momentum of song and

critical thought encapsulating moments?

Of the

singing

who smiles against similes of this decorative

articulation? Outside, wind disbands as

ribbons embellish sky’s indifferent mathematics—

alive or relegated outcast?

Of the listeners engaging radial styles

which of the italicized emotions become

facilitating method of interpreting rhythm’s

elongated functions?

.

©Felino A. Soriano 2012

ASSEMBLAGE OF APPROBATED RHYTHMS

30

ABHISHEK RATH

Abhishek Rath is a young poet from Orissa. His poetry centres around

highly thought-provoking themes, packed with symbolic meanings, written

in lucid English language.

One of his poems “At the dead man’s obsequies” has been published in the I

English International journal.

Another poem “A serenade tune for my beloved”, has been published in

Melonade 2012. “The final minute of my survival” has been published in

Puppets on a string.

Also "The poet inside me" has been selected for the anthology "Indus

valley“. He has written over 200 poems till date.

Date of Birth – June 01

Website/Blog – http://heartcraving.wordpress.com

4 4

31

A PANEGYRIC ON THE PAINTING

The hypnotic harmonium tune,

Played on by the sanctified fingers,

Of the majestic hand of the minstrel,

Soothed the opulent man’s vexed soul.

The sycophants influenced by his wealth,

Continued to praise him incessantly,

Comparing him with the magnificent tune,

That came from the harmonium and the lute.

The guards and the servants,

Were lost in the vibes of music,

The sangria was no more effective,

And the complete room resembled a

vaudeville,

But the poor scraggy servant,

Holding the wine container and the carafe,

Was captivated by the bond of slavery,

Even the seraphic music could not make him

smile .

Esoteric ink in the form of an eulogy,

Vividly epitomizes on this etiolate paper,

The sprouting paint from the painter’s brush,

That has painted such an exquisite picture….

©Abhishek Rath 2012

32

FEATURED ARTIST: OM SWAMI

33

HIS STORY

Om Swami(b. 1974) is a self-taught neo-classical artist who has created a

niche for himself in this highly competitive Indian Art World. His paintings

present rich imagery, well conceived themes and diligently executed vibrant

colours. Figurative, yet contemporary; sensitive yet classical, Swami has

cultivated a style of his own using minimal details and richness of colours.

Many of his works centre around the theme of “Love”. Cupid’s arrow,

butterflies, birds, flowers and fishes adorn the togetherness of the men and

women depicted in his paintings. He says, “A man and a woman are

incomplete in themselves. They are the fragments of a single whole and they

become close and healthy only in close togetherness – in union with each

other. The two are complete only when this union happens unconditionally.

This union may be earthy, physical or spiritual.” Having unique warmth

bereft of any superfluous details, the stylized figures have a story of their

own, transporting the viewer into an exotic world of passion and beauty.

Om Swami has a number of successful exhibitions to his credit – in India

and abroad.

‘Moods’ represents the moments of bliss, a state of inner consciousness. The

protagonists are celestial yet earthy, with passion and love overflowing

through the musical flute that binds them. Flute is the traditional symbol

of eternal love and Swami uses this symbol very artfully in his paintings. At

present, he lives and works in Mumbai.

Source – Om Swami (Edited by Anukriti Sharma)

34

VIBRANT “MOODS”

35

FEATURED POETS

41

ABHISHEK, ‘SAHIR’

An engineer by training, a civil servant by duty; a dreamer by habit and a

recluse and a scribbler of thoughts by choice. Shaped mostly in Lucknow

and Delhi, Abhishek’s introduction to Urdu poetry happened quite early in

his life. Ever since then, he never got over it- as it sure became a love affair,

in this generation of flings and ‘relationships’. Also, after having listened to

and read the masters of yore, he says that he cannot have the temerity of

calling himself a poet of any worth. What he writes is an effort to allow his

soul to breathe and speak in the only way it can-through poetry. But what

he does promise his readers is an honest reflection of churnings that stirs

his spirit and in turn echoes in his verses.

Name - ‘Sahir’, Abhishek

Date of Birth - August 11

Location - Lucknow/New Delhi/ Mussoorie

42

US SHAM HUA YUUN MEHFIL MEIN… [IT SO HAPPENED THAT EVENING]

[1]

Us shaam jo mahfil aan saji

gori tere chaubaron mein

Vo soz-e-nihaan le aa baithe

karne izhaar ishaaron mein

Vo jogi, bhes badal lete

kuch geet manohar kah lete

Tujh par ik na aanch aati, aur

Vo roop ki bhiksha le lete .

Us Shaam=that evening, Mahfil=soiree, aan saji= got organised, gori-fair

damsel,tere-yours, tere chaubare mein- in the inner courtyard of your house, soz-e-

nihaan= the unseen pain/heat, izhaar- express ishaaron mein- in hidden signs,

Vo=those Jogi-mendicants, bhes badal lete-change their looks , geet= a form of

poetry set to tune and generally sung, manohar-charming , aanch na aati- no

blemishes cast, aur-and, roop= beauty, bhiksha= alms [this is a culturally layered

meaning which refers to an admirer asking for alms by being allowed to steal a

glance of the beloved]

[2]

Par tum naa aayeen mehfil mein

Haan..mayuus hue the deewane !

Par shikwa unka taur nahin

Ab dil mein kya tha, kya jane ?

[Tum- you, naa ayeen- did not come, mehfil mein- to the soiree, Haan-Indeed, yes;

Mayuus-disappointed, deewane= mad lovers, Par= But, shikwa= complaint, unka

taur nahin= is not their way]

43

[3]

Haan !

Kuch sher kahe unne the vahan

Sun lo to kaleja thaam hi lo !!

Saari mehfil ranjoor hui...

Tum jiska-jiska naam bhi lo

Saqi rahe phirte jaam liye

Par kaun piye tab pyalon se

Jab aag jigar ki bhadki ho

Saz-o-soz ke naalon se !

[ Haan= Oh, yes !, Kuch – A few,Sher- poetic couplets, Kahe- recited, Unne= they

Sun lo= Were to listen Kalega= Literally means liver, often associated with passion

in urdu poetry, thaam- hold tight; Ranjoor- Sad, Jiska= whomsoever, Saqi- Wine

servers, jaam= glasses of wine, bhadki ho= aflame, soz=flame/pain, saaz= music

instruments, naalon= sad songs/wails ]

[4]

Jo poocha naam pata unka

Vo muska ke sab taal gaye

Bole-"hum to banjare hain

Aaye aur maal utar gaye !

Kehna usse jo aayi nahin-

Jeevan hai zara, aur maal bahut

le-de sauda nipta dalo

Bachte hain nahin ab saal bahut !

[ Muska ke= with a smile, Bole= They said, Banjare= Gypsies, Maal=

goods/wealth/weight a person carries on our heart/all we had; Kahna use- Pass the

meassage to her, Jeevan- Life, zara- short, bahut- al ot; le-de= give and take,suada=

transaction, nipta dalo= finish off;saal-years; bahut= many]

44

[5]

Akhir ab tum bhi pachtayee

Kis kaam ka aisa pachtana !

Deewane sadiyon door gaye

Mushkil hai unka phir aana !

[ Aakhir- Now finally, tum bhi – you

too, pachtayee- repenting, kis kaam

ka = of what use, Mushkil- difficult ,

phir aana- come back ]

Us shaam hua yuun mahfil mein...

©’Sahir’, Abhishek Srivasta 2012

45

ANNIE BESANT

Annie is a writer based in Chennai,. She is also an aspiring poetess whose

pen leaks with the words of her imaginary world.

Name - Annie Besant

Location - Chennai

Date of Birth - November 20

46

Tell us, O Master,

of the house that Love built

murmured the people.

A sigh went up from the Master’s heart.

His fingers moved over the keys, an intimate caress of secret parts.

The house that Love built

was a thing of beauty at first.

He built it out of the first dew of youth.

He sketched it out of the first blush of morning’s dreams.

He scooped the laughter that bubbled

in the cauldron of his heart

and poured it into the foundation.

He carved from the dreams of his future

bright crystalline bricks,

and polished them till they reflected the myriad colours of his desire.

He scraped the glimmer from his eyes

and tenderly, carefully,

rubbed them into the floors.

Love went to the market

and bought ruby red hope,

and joy the colour of golden apples,

to set the walls awash


was a thing of beauty at first.

THE HOUSE THAT LOVE BUILT

47

Love then sat at the threshold

calling to his beloved;

offering this home that was the purest part of him.

The people let out their breaths;

a susurration like the wind blowing on thorns.

The Master took pity on them.

Unfinished poetry tastes like the dregs of cheap wine, he knew.

Grief was glorious in her form.

Her hair was the colour of dark desperate nights.

Her eyes were fathomless pools of despair.

Her body was the perfect shape of stunted desire.

Grief heard him calling

and turned her cruel eyes to him.

Love was a thing of beauty.

She seduced him with promises

she had stolen from other lovers.

And kisses that made him forget.

She teased and taunted him

with the rage that sprung from her womb,

rage at his unsullied brightness.

Love drank her in

like sweet opium.

48

Love floundered in her darkness

like a drowning star.


was a thing of desolation.

He cracked open the crystalline bricks

letting them breathe Grief’s scent;

letting them flicker and die.

He spread the soot of her lies

over the floors

so he could escape their blind radiance.

He darkened his walls

with Grief’s blood

that ran like rivers of slime.


was a thing of desolation.

You can hear Love as he calls from the threshold,

shivering in his loneliness,

blind and naked in his grief.

Love is now a thing of hate.

The rich red walls seemed dull to the people.

The gentle swish of the feathered fans the empty sighs of Love.

As the hookah smoke curled in harsh spirals,

the Master thought of Grief, whom he had once loved.

©Annie Besant 2012

49

ARVIND KUMAR SHARMA

Arvind is a resident of Himachal Pradesh, pursuing B. Tech in Mechanical

Engineering. He loves to write Hindi poems. His other interests include

music, photography, doodling and tattooing.

Name - Arvind Kumar Sharma

location - Hamirpur, Himachal Pradesh

Date of birth - May 24

Educational/professional background - 3 year diploma in Mechanical

Engineering from Govt. Polytechnic, Sundernagar (H.P.). Currently

appearing for bachelor's degree in the same field under the affiliation of

Kurukshtera university.

50

The songs of your joy

born out from my cries

you smile and praise. But

there has always been a pain

inside this "Raga of Life".

These rhythms of rejoice

nothing but some unsaid words

its become my fate

never been my choice

there are some broken promises


The songs of love

music, sounds of cheer

glasses of wine

splashing souls

towards the heaven. But

there has always been a silence


A small world of yours

full of colours

aroma of burning candles

and my voice..

healing your sorrows, but

there has always been a tale of broken dreams


Oh! This "Raga of Life".

©Arvind Kumar Sharma 2012

RAGA OF LIFE

51

CIJO ABRAHAM MANI

Cijo Abraham Mani is a web portal manager interested in poetry and

literature. He is an emerging social media evangelist and PPC consultant

influenced by the online marketing industry.

Named in India's top influential people online in 2011

http://influence.webitexpo. com/list.htm/113/in

Has been the co-organizer of Cochin Twestival Local 2011 and raised INR

1,71,755 through Twitter http://india.twestival.com/ blog-

entry/1774/what-the- cities-raised-in-2011

Name - Cijo Abraham Mani

Location - Cochin, India

Date of Birth - May 20

Educational/Professional Background - B.E (ECE)

Website/Blog - http://cijo.i.ph

52

Soothing music flows like a wave

The durbar is full of audience

The waiters serve red wine

Men drink and smokes hookah.

The durbar is full of music

The Harmonium player sings

Men listen to the beautiful song

The song soothes the senses.

The music continues till late night

The durbar is full of drunken men

The darkness takes over the music

The music finally fades and men leave.

©Cijo Abraham Mani 2012

THE DURBAR OF MUSIC

53

DR. A.V. KOSHY

He is an academician, poet and artist.

Name - A.V. Koshy

Location - settled in Bangalore, India but presently working in Saudia

Arabia, Jazan University.


Educational/Professional Background - Assistant Professor in English

Language and Literature with Ph.D. in the same and various other

degrees.

Website/Blog - https://www.facebook.com/pages/Dr-AV-

Koshy/232091103474997

(author page on Facebook)

http://ppsekoshyav.blogspot.com/

54

My mother told me when

Tansen sang

fire was lit;

water was doused.

A painting always contains

gaps

that speak to me of the

subaltern.

I like the yellow.

Fire is bright.

I like the monocle.

Reminds me of Psmith.

The man behind the curtain

peeks

The punkah bearers....make

wind?

The hookah reminds me

India will always a mosaic

be.

The colours of the skin are

different

The accordion and the

veena

Someone is bringing tea

A sage sits and feels free

TANSEN

55

While people mill around

That must be a fine shayiri

In the centre sits a vessel

Underneath burns a multi-

Coloured flame

In a vessel un-made of gold?!

The curtains, the walls

the swinging chandelier

the carpet, the dresses , the faces

the decorations above the doors

the basket of flowers in the foreground

the pillows, the colours' variegated spree...

I see that to really

see

one must know one's history

The painting has no lovers

or sexy women.

This pains me intensely!

An ode therefore this cannot be

like to the one on the Grecian urn;

the best I've ever read

of ekphrastic poetry!

©Dr. A.V. Koshy 2012

56

GOPAKUMAR. R

Gopakumar. R has a passion for English poetry and loves to write for

different causes so that his floating ideas may influence the readers to

visualize and work for a better world around.

He started writing English poetry in 2006, when he finally realized that

this is what he really loved to do. Passionate about photography, Graphic

Designing, publishing and spirituality, he also loves reading reviews and

criticism.

Name - Gopakumar. R

Location - Palakkad, Kerala

Date of Birth- November 28

Educational/Professional Background – Database Administrator

Website/Blog - Managing Editor of www.poetriesonline.com and

www.xpresspublications.com

57

Listening is an art

Involves your heart and head

A call, to your senses and totality

It makes you fall in love

With the vibe that is passing

Before your sensitivity

From your listening arise,

The meanings and answers

And the wisdom who you are

It let you share those eternal glimpses

all around

We call it, the birth of an Art.

Lord! You lifted me as a seeker

Your lovely seeker, an artist

Please be merciful, my lord

What I am trying to sing

Is your song so divine?

And I feel there should not be any flaw

Ah! This new found song

I love to share

With my hands, voice and totality

Please listen,

All that I can try for you

Is to make you identify those

I SING FOR YOU

58

Music streaming from my Lord

So, I am in your huts and palaces

As your beloved singer

When I play my instrument, I tune myself

With those ever existing melodies around

I bring in all those songs alive again,

That you may let pass every moment in the rush

The whisper of wind,

Chime of streams, chirping of birds

The soothing songs of life, its values and virtues

The silence of big rocks and the sounds of space

All that is forgotten...

For this garment

Oh Lord! In gratitude, I sing a song for you

And I truly wish your song resonate from many hearts.

©Gopakumar. R 2012

59

JAYA SWARUP

There is a lot that Jaya is yet to discover about herself. But, as far as the

journey has been until now, she loves writing. Words keep fascinating her,

pushing her to make life’s journey as picturesque as it can be. She believes

in Karma and hard work. Born and brought up in Lucknow, she completed

a greater part of her schooling from La Martiniere Girls College. Blessed

with a wonderful family that gives her the space to grow and discover

herself, she pursues her passions and goals with zest.

Name - Jaya Swarup

Location - Mumbai

Date of Birth- February 12

Educational/Professional Background –B.Tech in Biotechnology from

Amity University. Presently working in Accenture, Mumbai.

Website/Blog - http://lookslikecheshirecat.blogspot.in/

60

"I stood there, far across in the corner of the room,

the golden tray shaking in my quiet hands.

My lost eyes were drawn to the veins

visibly stretched across my arms.

When the strain of music reached my ears,

as Gustav thumped on the Tabla.

And with covert looks I beheld my lord,

the master seemingly lost in the melodious hums.

From the rich green velvet to the glittering diamonds…

Everything around me spelled grandeur,

as I contrasted it with the poverty in my life.

Across my eyes flashed the dirt

in which my children played,

their small wants pinching my skin,

the broken roof of my house loudly contrasted

with the silken surroundings of where I now stood.

All I could do was quietly sigh!

Hear the easy banter of the courtiers,

they took so much for granted you see,

The spilled wine, the hookah, and what nots!

What if,

for once

they hand to stand for hours in a corner,

waiting for orders??

What if

they had

to live a life

so full of inadequacies and wants?

HAVE-NOTS

61

I was a free man by birth,

but now

I am a slave

trapped for eternity in servitude,

Now

I am the flash of conscience

which is not needed to be heeded to?

With all the inner turmoil

I stand here in the corner,

holding my jug of wine

waiting at their inconsiderate beck and call.

I stand here again as I have forever stood.

And I know

that all these are just wishes,

ramblings of a poor man

A man who cannot afford peace for himself.

I can just see and want and sigh.

The mis-used wealth,

the wastes of the rich

Only if

destiny had played in my favour!“

©Jaya Swarup 2012

62

MADHUMITA GHOSH

Dr. Madhumita Ghosh, is an Associate Professor in English, and teaches in

Muralidhar Girls’ College, Kolkata, West Bengal. She has been teaching

undergraduate students since 1986. She is also attached to Indira Gandhi

National Open University, where she teaches post-graduate students. She

has completed a post-doctoral Research Project on a comparative study of

William Blake and Rabindranath Tagore in 2002. She has published

critical studies as papers in several reputed National and International

journals and magazines. She is editor of “Insignia”, a journal on English

Literature, published by the Department of English, Muralidhar Girls’

College. Many of her poems have been published - seven by Barry Mowles.

Six more are to be published soon by Brian Wrixon. She has also edited an

anthology of poems, published from Allahabad, India.

Name - Madhumita Ghosh

Location - Kolkata, India

Date of Birth - August 5

63

If music be the food of love

play on...

they played on with him

and

he played with the tune

of the elements...

flames lit

cool showers

to douse the rage...

He watches

from a world of yesterday

as flames rage

showers of tears

inundate budding dreams

music lies maimed

on barren cacophony...

We wait

for God to rise

and a magic

for seven notes to sing a rhapsody again.

©Madhumita Ghosh 2012

PLAY ON…

64

NISHI JAIN

Currently working with a leading publishing house in the capacity of a copy

editor, Nishi has also free-lanced and got published with reputed newspapers

like HT Edge. She began writing early in life and went on to acquire a

bachelors' degree in English Literature. Displaying her flair for the subject,

she not just topped in college but also became student editor of the college

magazine. While pursuing a Master's degree in English from Hindu College,

Delhi University, she was actively engaged in various creative endeavours-

like writing for newspapers and magazines. Out of all the forms of creative

literature, she loves writing poetry the most, as she feels that it bestows

immediate and heightened pleasure due to its crisp and pregnant form.

Name - Nishi Jain

Location - New Delhi

Date of Birth - January 18

Educational/Professional Background - B.A., M.A. in English, Copy Editor

with Rupa Publications

65

Wines flow,

Hookahs set,

Careful! The incense is lit,

As evening falls at the rajah’s court,

The amber glow burns away.

The munshi, the minister, the pundit

They all sit

Heady with gaiety

Jealous at his honeyed voice.

Wah! Wah!

They shout catching the rajah’s gaze.

Temperatures soar,

Smokes bellow,

Raga Bhairavi is done,

The rajah wants more.

A beat again,

A light ablaze,

The glass overflows,

As he clears his throat,

‘Wah!’ the minister again goes.

The golden lamp,

Dances on his cheek,

He wipes the sweat away.

THE EVENING SONG

66

‘O beloved, does my voice tremble your heart?

I curse this fate that has kept us apart.’

He croons,

His legs numb,

As their eyes grow moist,

And the room a blur.

‘Ah!’ the pundit moans an invisible lover

The rajah sinks into the silk cushion,

The empty cups lie still,

The curtains ruffle no more.

Nimbly the singer rises,

His fingers still sore,

‘You are late!’ the queen says with a trembling heart,

He holds her silky waist,

‘Dear Queen, tis’ thy husband who keeps us apart.’

©Nishi Jain 2012

67

POOJA SHARMA RAO

Pooja is a freelance writer and blogger. She believes that she is primarily a

mother who often loves to dig her mental teeth into something substantial.

She has worked as a lecturer, language trainer and editor but can be best

described as a student of ‘Life’. Her love for books translates into who she is.

Ever since I started writing her blog some three years ago, she seemed to have

found her niche. Her fine art is an expression of feelings ,life and everything

in between.

Name - Pooja Sharma Rao

Location - Panchkula, Haryana, India

Date of Birth – March 5

Educational/Professional Background - M.Phil. in English from Panjab

University, Chandigarh.

Website/Blog - http://poojasharmarao.blogspot.in/

68

Across

ages and classes

masters, rulers

friends and slaves

relishing some

tangible pleasures,

good wine, smoke

and music

The ladies

royal and common

the marginals in margins

behind the walls

looking from

the outside in

and the inside out

never brought here

other than

for the

forbidden pleasures

holding the

invisible facade

of tradition

men celebrate patriarchy !

©Pooja Sharma Rao 2012

PATRIARCHY

69

RUKHAYA MK

Rukhaya MK is a Freelance Media Professional, and an award-winning

writer. As an established literary critic, she has published her works in

journals and anthologies. She also writes for BrightHub where she has

been recognized with an Expert badge. Rukhaya was a four-starred writer

on Helium.com before they blocked access to international writers. She

holds a M.Phil. in English Language and Literature, and was a rank-holder

for her post–graduation. She is currently pursuing an MBA. She has won

prizes in several writing competitions that include ones at the university

level, state level and national level.

Name – Rukhaya MK

Date of Birth - May 28

Location – Kerala, India

Educational/Professional Background - M.A., M.Phil.

Website/Blog – http://rukhaya.hubpages.com/

70

Hitherto at strife

they remained divided

on the frivolities of life.

The wizardry of the

songster

like magnets to a spring

wound

holding the gallery spell-

bound.

Notes danced hand-in-

hand

in abandoned glee.

Did notes have wings

like doves?

Was Hatred the other side

of the same coin-Love?

The Emperor cried:

”Encore! Encore!

Sans rain, petrichor!”

The melody was one to

relish.

The moment was won to

cherish.

As one note fastened

to the other in song ,

THE SOUND OF MUSIC

71

The courtyard lay unified

relegating all wrong.

Harmony side-stepped noise,

echoes tuned to a voice.

Nothing could beat

the power of art,

as music turned into

the rhythms of their hearts.

Akin to a Name

uncalled for a tag,

Saffron, white, green

merged into a flag.

©Rukhaya MK 2012

72

SURAJ SAMTANI

Name - Suraj Samtani (Bunty)

Location of Residence - Hong Kong


Website/Blog - Facebook Page: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Suraj-B-

Samtani/103500977502

Poetry Website (complete poetry

collection): http://www.poemhunter.com/suraj-samtani

Official Website (includes other published

articles): https://sites.google.com/site/samtanisuraj/

73

Wow.

What an attendance I've got.

Bow,

In admiration of this lot.

I'm really thankful,

for this attendance.

I'm really grateful,

for your presence.

I know not now what to sing,

I'm too blinded by blankness.

I knew not now how to sing,

I just rest on your harness.

You are the inspiration of my art.

I channel you in my service.

I work for you with utmost heart.

& Alas, I am no longer nervous.

I can just never forget this,

When I felt most connected,

I will always cherish your bliss.

Wherein I felt most nested.

©Suraj Samtani 2012

INSPIRED TO PERFORM

74

SUSMA SHARMA GURUMAYUM

Reading and writing are Susma’s favourite hobbies. Her reading list

includes everything written under the sun. She loves Historical Fiction and poems. Historical Fiction, she believes, are a medium of letting

people know what actually happened in the past through an interesting medium as a novel. As far as her writing is concerned, she’s more into fiction including short stories, and poems. She sometimes write and

composes music. Her guitar is one of her prized possessions. Name - Susma Sharma Gurumayum

Location - Imphal, Manipur, India Date of birth – December 18

Educational/Professional Background - B.A. (Hons.) History from Delhi University. Presently, in the last semester of M.A. in History with a Specialization in Medieval Indian History, from Manipur University.

Blog - http://bembili-randomthoughts.blogspot.in/

75

Room full of people,

He sings with his harmonium.

Listeners mesmerized.

On the eighteen strings,

The 'sitarist' producing

Sympathetic sounds.

The 'sarangi' blades

Giving birth to lovely tunes…

It harmonizes.

The 'tabla' player,

Creating beats with his palms.

Makes the song complete…

Musicians busy.

In the luxurious day out,

The rich enjoying…

Carrying drinks, drugs,

The poor, a part of this scene,

Some creating air…

The flavoured hookahs,

Glorifying even more,

The musical feast…

THE GATHERING (HAIKU CHAIN)

76

A gesturing man

Is invisible to them,

The fair man in blue…

The colours, the lights…

The decorations, curtains,

Oh! They do not see.

Lost in the music

Pleasantly breathing in, smoke

Moment’s happiness...

Resting on pillows,

Tapping along the rhythm,

Lost in their dreamland…

Forgetting their pain

Not remembering troubles,

Music gives them peace.

No women in sight.

Beings only from Mars are seen,

In the gathering…

©Susma Sharma Gurumayum 2012

77

ZEENATH IBRAHIM

Zeenath Ibrahim is currently working as the Vice Principal of Dayapuram

Arts and Science College in Calicut, Kerala, India. She is also a Ph.D.

research scholar at SASTRA University, Tamil Nadu and has a couple of

scholarly papers published in journals and anthologies under the name

Zeenath Mohamed Kunhi. She loves to paint pictures using words as well

as colours and also reading good books. All these passions have taken a

back-seat because of her multiple roles as a teacher, student, wife, mother of

three boys, daughter-in-law and daughter. Thanks to her “friends from

internet”, her love for creative writing has found new wings in the form of

poems. A peace-loving person, she believes that true peace exists only where

there is sacrifice and always loves to look at the positive side of life.

Name - Zeenath Ibrahim

Location - Calicut, Kerala, India

Date of Birth – April 26

Educational- M.A., M.Phil. in English Literature, currently pursuing Ph.D.

78

Picture picture on the wall

What's that you want to tell us all?

Is it some tale of kingly wars?

Merry music or courtly bars?

More conspicuous are those absences

Than those princely presences,

Cryptic curtains and charter'd rugs

Speak louder than those hookah lugs,

No dainty damsel walk the scene

All pushed off to wash, cook and clean?

Penury is just a distant dream

Locked smugly out of the palace seams.

Brickly red paint the exteriors

Bloody red guard the interiors.

Stately laughs echo the dome

Tender smiles lay stifled in tombs.

Picture picture on the wall

Is it pain and neglect that you recall?

Or just a tale of power and pomp

Told with ease and moony romp?

©Zeenath Ibrahim 2012

ABSENCES

79

SUNIL TAMBE

81

Born in 1975, Sunil Tambe completed an Art Teachers Diploma from Pragat

Kala Mahavidyalaya, Ahmednagar, in 1994. Moving to Pune after that, he

received a Government Diploma in Fine Art with a specialization in

painting form the Abhinav Kala Mahavidyalaya there in 1997. In addition,

he also completed a Diploma in Art Education from the Sir J J. School of

Art, Mumbai, in 1998, and briefly served as a lecturer at the SSVPS School

of Art, Dhule.

Tambe’s figurative work is sensuous, with graceful female silhouettes

populating his canvases. Working with black figures on vividly coloured

grounds, Tambe creates striking contrasts on his surfaces. The artist also

successfully represents the exceptional bond between mother and child in

some of his works.

Tambe has had several solo exhibitions at galleries including the Oberoi

Art Walk Gallery and Pradarshak Art Gallery, Mumbai, both in 2008;

Gallery-G, Bangalore, in 2005; K.K. Moos Prathishthan Chalisgaon, also in

2005; and Shyam Ahuja, Pune, in 2001. His work has also been featured as

part of several group shows.

In 1997, the artist was awarded the Kalashri Art and Craft College Prize,

Sangamner; the Babhulgaon State Award, Latur; and the Kala Charya

Puram Prize, Pune.

Source – www.saffronart.com

HIS ARTWORK

82

Azure shivers

the nascent fence

holding back

there were scars

her touch shrinks

as wavy blades crawl

to blind those

eye-imprints

stamped

across

a bed sheet starched

recollection.

© Mihir Vatsa 2011

EYE-IMPRINTS

87

AJAY DE

88

"Frankly I did not even know what art was all about. When I was four, I

read a poem written by the Nobel Laureate, Rabindranath Tagore. In his

poem, Tagore had described three birds fighting on a kitchen terrace. I was

moved, and gave vent to my emotions on paper. That was my first painting."

Ajay De's paintings continue to be shaped by his childhood memories. As an

introvert, he often found himself at a loss for words, until he discovered the

joy of putting pencil to paper to draw and express his feelings. His life, and

the experiences that shaped it, were a source for inspiration. "All my

paintings reflect the complexities and troubles that besiege modern day

society. They are not deliberate efforts. They flow from within. I feel that art

offers solutions to all problems in life, and my work offers a direction to these

solutions," he explains.

De began his career rather unconventionally, eschewing colour and working

on charcoal to convey his experiences on to canvas. "I channelled my energies

into artistic expressions and learnt the right way to stroke the paper with

my fingers and thumb, and even my palm, while sketching with a charcoal

pencil. I believed there was more truth to black and white and that, colour,

although appealing, did not pose a challenge. So black and white tones did

not deter me, and I was not afraid to swim against the tide. I honed my skills

at art colleges, drawing inspiration from my childhood memories, which had

left an indelible mark," says De. On his art, De believes: "Life has left its

impressions, and these are portrayed in my drawings. I am still learning and

will continue to do so. For this, I am thankful to all those who have helped

me, either knowingly or unknowingly, in making me what I am today. My

colours emanate from nature. There is a lot one can learn from it. It is sad

that, today, man no longer finds time to stand and stare anymore."


HIS ARTWORK

89

Why are your eyes shut tight,

I know you are not sleeping

tonight

Wearing your golden tiara

Of dreams that are screaming

inside.

Time flies draining all the lies

The leaves of memories fall and

fade

I just want to lose my way

Right into your sweet serenade.

I wish I could grow little wings

To fly away with your little

dreams

I would live a million lives

If you let me see through your

eyes...

©Samik Bhattacharya 2011

THROUGH YOUR EYES

94

JIAUR RAHMAN

95

Born in 1979, Jiaur Rahman earned his Bachelor’s degree in Visual Arts

from the Government College of Art and Craft, Kolkata, in 2003. Rahman’s

watercolours are delightful renderings of nature, with the aim of capturing

a single moment for eternity. The artist has a close association with rural

Bengal, and desires to immortalize the beauty of its fast changing

landscape.

Not one to be bound to the rural surroundings, Rahman has also captured

the cityscape in his works, aiming to portray scenes that are characteristic

of Kolkata. Rahman’s watercolours are misty, almost rain-washed, and have

an endearing quality. He has a unique way of identifying cities with

colours; in one of his interviews, Jaipur, he says is pink, Kolkata, gray, and

Ahmedabad, yellow.

Jiaur Rahman had his first solo exhibition in Ahmedabad in 2001. Since

then, he has had seven solo shows, the most recent being at the Indiaart

Gallery, Pune, in 2007. His works have been featured in several group shows,

including those held at Mystiq Art Gallery, New Delhi, in 2008; and at

Epicentre, Gurgaon, also in 2008.

Rahman has also participated in a number of shows organized by the Lalit

Kala Akademi, the Birla Academy of Arts, the All India Fine Arts and Craft

Society (AIFACS) and the West Bengal State Academy. In 2002 he received

the Camlin Art Foundation Award, Kolkata, and in 2001, the Nokia Asia

Pacific International Arts Award, New Delhi.


HIS ARTWORK

96

The one you abhor

I call him Lord

His crimson blood

trickles

drop by drop...

And it soaks my soul

pore by pore

in eternal love...

I call him Allah

I call him Ram

His scars embalm

my tarnished essence...

And

the kernel of

Karma

Sprouts within..

I call him Jesus

I call him Buddha

You ask me...

Who is he that you love?

God's shadow

Or Incarnation?

Reality

or Imagination?

I say:

CRIMSON BLOOD

101

He lives in me

He lives in you

He lives in us

Atheist though you are

One day

You too shall

Believe…

You too shall

grieve

His death

But...

His pain

is nothing to you...

Because

YOU

yourself

Callously

Brutally

Demonically

Murdered him...

Slaughtered him

Killed him!

His love is unending

undying

unfettered...

It remains

embossed

As my quintessence

© Anukriti Sharma 2011

102

ANJOLIE ELA MENON

103

Throughout her career as a painter, Anjolie Ela Menon has regularly re-

envisioned her role as an artist. Menon's early canvases exhibited the varied

influences of van Gogh, the Expressionists, Modigliani, Amrita Sher-Gil, and

M. F. Husain. Mainly portraits, these paintings, according to the artist,

“were dominated by flat areas of thick bright colour, with sharp outlines

that were painted 'with the vigour and brashness of extreme youth'.” Menon

admits that her work has undergone tremendous changes with every phase

of her life and that as she has grown older, the narcissism of the early years

has been transformed into nostalgia for the past.

Anjolie Ela Menon was awarded the Padma Shri, one of India’s highest

civilian honours, by the Government of India in 2000. Her most recent shows

include ‘Menongitis-Three Generations of Art’ at Dhoomimal Gallery, New

Delhi, in 2008; and ‘Gods and Others’ presented by Apparao Galleries at

Admit One Gallery, New York, in 2000. In 1998, the Times of India organized

a retrospective of her work at the Jehangir Art Gallery, and in 2002, another

retrospective exhibition titled ‘Four Decades’ was held in Mumbai and in

Bangalore. Anjolie Ela Menon has also been honoured with a six month solo

show at the Asian Art Museum, San Francisco, featuring her large triptych

entitled ‘Yatra’ in 2006.

Menon’s works have been featured in several group exhibitions, including

'Kalpana: Figurative Art in India', presented by the Indian Council for

Cultural Relations (ICCR) at Aicon Gallery, London, in 2009; 'Mapping

Memories – 2, Painted Travelogues of Bali and Burma’ at Gallery Threshold,

New Delhi, in 2008; and ‘Kitsch Kitsch Hota Hai’ at India Habitat Centre,

New Delhi, in 2001.


HER ARTWORK

104

THE SILENCE OF HIS LIFE

Kafka sits alone

pondering...

if only he could

feel relieved

from the world

crackling in the backdrop...

All serene...

yet hooting.

Amid the silence

of his life...

black and white life.

© Rahul Sharma 2011

109

RANABIR SAHA

110

“With the turn of the twenty first century, we see a radical change in the life

style, culture, society, economy, everything. Globalization has come; and we

have become the victims of product oriented life styles. The shifting

temperament of the people is always part of my observations. I am sure all

these factors have an important role in my works. I can not ignore the way

contemporary life is going around us, present day politics, vast corruption,

because we are fortunately or unfortunately staying within this...

“My paintings reflect some of these factors. My focus is on the daily life of

the people. I also observe their temperament. As a result, elements like

mobile phones, match boxes, shopping bags, plastic chairs, etc. feature in my

paintings. I used these objects as metaphor of the people’s temperament.

Parallel-ly, they are also depicted as shadow of my own temperament; that is

why they are carrying my sentimental involvement.

Born in 1976 in Nabia, West Begal, Ranabir Saha received his Bachelor’s

degree in Visual Arts (graphic design) from the Government College of Art

and Craft, Kolkata. His solo shows include those held at the Academy of Fine

Arts, Kolkata, in 2005; and a show sponsored by Kanvas Art Gallery,

Kolkata, in 2007. Amongst his group shows are Rajya Charukala Parisad,

Kolkata, in 2004, 2003 and 2001; the Annual Exhibition, Academy of Fine

Arts, Kolkata, in 2004 and 2003; and the State Academy Exhibition, Kolkata,

in 2002 and 2000.

Saha also received the Green Shield Award from the Elizabeth Green Shield

foundation in 2002.


HIS ARTWORK

111

GAUTAM BUDDHA ROAD

In the Delhi winter,

a rickshaw rushed beside

Her insomniac steps,

Stalked by many libidinal eyes.

© Mihir Vatsa 2012

116

PAWAN SHARMA

117

Date of Birth:

16th January 1979, Bikaner

Academics:

Six month training in Conservation of Art Objects, from N.R.L.C.

Lucknow.2007. M.F.A. Specialization in Painting from Rajasthan, School of

Art, Jaipur.2006. B.F.A in Painting from Rajasthan, School of Art,

Jaipur.2002.

Awards:

National Award in 12th All India Art Exhibition by State Lalit Kala

Academi,Lucknow, U.P., 2010. Kala Mela Award by Rajasthan Lalit Kala

Akademi, Jaipur 2002, 2009. The Best Painting Award at Annual Exhibition

by Rajasthan School of Art, Jaipur 2006. The Best Student Award in Painting

Department of Rajasthan School of Art, Jaipur, 2002, 2003. Award in Inter

College Youth Festival, Rajasthan University, Jaipur, 2002. Award in On the

Spot Painting Competition at J.K.K. by Camlin Art Foundation.2001.

Workshops:

Emerging Artist Painting Camp by Kalaneri Art Gallery, Jaipur Raj.

2011. Young Artist Painting Camp by Rashtriya Lalit Kala Kendra,

Lucknow,U.P. 2010. Young Artist Painting Camp by Jawahar Kala Kendra,

Jaipur, 2009 & 2010. Painting Workshop (Kala Utsav) by Bikaner art

studio, at Bikaner, 2006. Drawing & Poster Workshop on "Water Problem"

organized by Hadcone 2003. Site Specific Performance with Chintan

Upadhyay at Shilpagram, Jawahar Kala Kendra. Print Maker's Camp at

J.K.K. organized by All India Fine Arts & Craft Society 2003.

Source – www.absolutearts.com

HIS ARTWORK

118

SCARS

Scarred are my faces

With a generation of lies

Look out of your window

And see how the time flies

We have spoken in silence

But your ears were all deaf

Of the promises you have

spoken

And the ones you never kept

I lift my hands today

With a thousand painted

faces

Colors that disappreared from

them

But the memory itself never

erases.

123

The voices that you face today

Are a thousand thunders of

fire

Stored from the souls of serene

Deprived of desires

The strength they have driven

From your mockery and satire

Now your voice echo hollow

Of a mere dejected liar

The light has marched the

horizons

The dawn is not so far

You will have our promised

revolution

From each of the throbbing

scars.

©Samik Bhattacharya 2012

124

GOURI VEMULA

125

Date Of Birth:

1972 at Hyderabad

Academic Qualification:

Post- Graduation in Print Making from S. N. School of Arts, University of

Hyderabad.

Graduated in Painting from J. N. T. U. Hyderabad

Awards: Awarded in All-India Fine Arts Exhibition, Hyderabad Art Society

(1996 & 1999)

4th A. P. State Level Art Exhibition (2000)

43rd National Exhibition of Art, Lalit Kala Akademi, New Delhi (2001)

15th All India Art Contest and Exhibition of S. C. C. C., Nagpur (2001)

74th National A. I. F. A. C. S. Award, New Delhi (2002).

Solo shows: Minaaz Art Gallery, Hyderabad (2003)

Art Heritage Gallery, New Delhi (2001)

Prior to her tryst with art, Gouri was a national level athlete. Asthma

turned her destiny to art, where true to her ilk, Gouri endeavors to excel.

Soon after she lost her father apart from the emotional trauma, young

Gouri was to shoulder financial burden and had to prove her mettle. Her

artistic idiom underwent a radical change. "Her sprinting ability and pace

demanded by pressing circumstances, invited allusions to her as one

'running like a horse'. Somewhere within her was born the horse-woman, a

pictorial variation to Picasso's 'Minotaur', the long standing sexual symbol

of the west. They are visually enriched by her masterly use of the methods of

etching and dry point techniques, as well as superb pen and ink drawings."

-Aruna Bhowmick.

Source – www.alankritha.in

HER ARTWORK

126

EV-E-IL

Light-bearer

Lucifer

lurks

around

the world

he

darkened…

While Eve

lives a life

of damnation…

No longer chaste –

never to be hearkened!

Birds of prey

prey upon her beauty…

And devils of hatred

Assemble

to do

the

death duty.

Following Satan’s decree

she lies

fettered

within

the folds of

a tree…

And

Kinnara 131

looks

at her

with

horse-eyes

of caprice.

Lecherous demons

Conquer

every side…

As

the waters of doom

rape Adam’s bride…

Styx, the river

is bleeding red

Adam is dead

Oh! Adam is dead!

A boat

now

lies stagnant

on the shore.

But, it moves no more,

It moves no more.

© Anukriti Sharma 2012

132

SATISH MULTHALLI

Date of Birth:

May 1, 1980

Educational Qualification:

2003 Bachelor of Fine Arts (Painting), Gulbarga University,

Karnataka2001 Diploma in Painting, Ravindra Kala Niketan, Tumkur,

Karnataka

Exhibitions

Selected Group Exhibitions:

2009 Shrishti Art Gallery, Hyderabad

2008 Art Is Zen Gallery and Istana presents World Artists Group Exhibition

in Istana, Bangalore

2007 Presented by Kruthi The Art Studio at Chitrakala Parishath

.Bangalore

2007 Lalit Kala Academy, (Thingala Chithra), Bangalore

2006 ‘Art Huger’, Chitrakala Parishath, Bangalore; Ananya Art Gallery,

Pondicherry; Nehru Centre, Mumbai

2004 ‘Art Huger’, Lakshana Art Gallery, Bangalore, Chennai, and

Hyderabad

2003 ‘Genius’, Venkatappa Art Gallery, Bangalore

2002 ‘Genius’, organized by By K.L.K.Academy, Bangalore at Mangalore

2000 Kalpa Kuncha Art Gallery, Tumkur

Honours and Awards:

2003 ‘Kalamahothsava’, Painting Competition, Gulbarga, Karnataka2000

Mysore Dasara.


133

HIS ARTWORK

134

RE-DEATH

I kill my present,

looking for a future past

-when I was sad,

happy too-

to meet the ghosts of past

-I kill my present-

who scream to me

that they helped me once

out of the grave they put me into-

laughed at me; held my shoulder

killed me; gave me a new life

when from a happy present

I had retreated to them

"once upon a time"…

I kill myself:

everyday,

every night,

to wake up anew

with new thoughts

but into a past

listening to them-

the ghosts of past-

which were too dear to me

the ally,

and reasons,

of my bad past…

139

And the cycle continues-

taking birth

committing suicide

every day-

-being sad in past

-questioning the present

compromising with pain

being contented with those in pain

-a patient with a patient-

not coming out of

of the hospital of past…

And being surprised

when happiness comes

-the ray of hope-

the quest:

for darkness overpowers;

and you recede back

-once again-

killing yourself

meeting your friends

-the fellow patients-

suffering like you

not ready to heal

but making everyone sick…

©Rahul Sharma 2012

140

MONTAGE: KALA GHODA ARTS FESTIVAL, MUMBAI

141

COLLECTING LOSS Only half her face is shown.

The other half covered by a

thick veil.

Her right eye, the exposed

eye,

Shaped like a fish…

Oh wait a minute! Is that a

fish?

She seems to be able to see

through it.

Must be an eye, an eye on

rent perhaps…

A faded red bindi decorates

her forehead.

So that’s more than half her

face uncovered?

Bindis are adorned at the

centre of the forehead

Only one, the usual norm…

The other invisible half must

be bindiless, or not.

Who follows norms these

days?

This dusky maiden,

In the dense green forest,

Is collecting dried fallen leaves,

Collecting loss…


EI - Ekphrasis India

Documents

Transcript of EI - Ekphrasis India