Deeply in love with nature

Good old nature comes alive the good old way in 30 of the exhibited works by Gandharv Verma in a solo show rightly titled Nature Reflects. Picture the nature as we know it, with all its elements intact. The clouds, the trees, the sun, sea, river, hut… “Nature has always amazed me, there is so much to get inspired by and be in awe of,” shares the artist, also a classical singer, who took to painting after a 35 year long career in teaching. “People told me that after retirement; I’d go crazy not knowing what to do. But I had colours, canvas and themes in my mind and all the pent up emotions and creativity which I couldn’t unleash through my job were translated onto the canvas.” 

In her first solo show, it’s like nature tumbled out of the drawing file of a fine arts prodigy.  A few stills of flowers and a recreated version of the iconic painting of Sohni Mahiwal, originally by Sobha Singh. Moving on, apart from the mountains, there are a few other elements of nature, like bridge, woods, autumn leaves…Like she said, she can’t have enough of nature. “The changing colours and moods are sometimes a little challenging to work but that’s where the joy lies.” 

One of her works adorns the walls of Ministry of HRD, New Delhi. 

Although we’d have appreciated captions or a few lines to go with each work, but this way a lot more is left to the imagination of the viewer. A sunset, snow clad mountains, early mornings in mountains, trees in all shapes and sizes. Although nature has figured very prominently in her works, there is also a series on musical instruments. “I have painted almost all the musical instruments right from the tabla to toombi,” she signs off. 

Ready for the concert today? 

Gandharv Art and Culture, along with the exhibition presents a classical music concert on November 17 by Avir Bhav and Anasua Majumdar. The hour and a half long concert will have the state awardee Avir Bhav on the percussions with Anasua Majumdar performing a Kathak recital.  

On till November 18 at Alliance Francaise—36, Chandigarh. —Manpriya Singh