India’s millennial artist
By Janaki Bhatt

HE is not as media savvy as M.F. Husain. He does not exhibit as frequently as Anjolie Ela Menon either. He generally keeps a low profile and works at his own pace. In fact is so self-effacing that even his neighbours in Bombay do not know of his whereabouts.

Yet, to those in the know, he is hot property. A Chiru Chakravarthy signature is worth more than that of some of the ancient Ravi and Jamini Roys. Little wonder then that the 63-year-old recluse has been referred to as the "artist of millennium"in Indian art circles.

As if in confirmation of this appellation, the Australian Government has invited five of his paintings for the millennium show at Sydney, coinciding with the Olympic Games. He is the only artist to represent India at the mega event.

But in his own characteristic way, he is dismissive about the distinction. "I do not think I deserve so much attention," he explains. "But yes, if this should enable my work to reach out to more people, I should be happy."

Chakravarthy points out there are several artists like him in India who are creative, but are unable to make a name for themselves because of lack of exposure. "Unfortunately, we live in times when only if you’d have made a name for yourself, would your art sell."

Born in Faridpur in erstwhile East Bengal, Chakravarthy developed a natural aptitude towards painting and sculpture from an early age. He could not afford a formal training in the arts as his family had to move to Calcutta after the Partition riots of 1947 when he was barely 11 years.

In 1953. he joined the West Bengal government as a draughtsman to support his family. "I could not indulge in the luxury of going to an art school," he narrates. "But this was as close as I could get to what I had always wanted to do and not bother about my next meal. I needed a job."

Three years later, by a "queer twist of fate", he shifted base from Calcutta to Bombay. "I was enamoured by films and believe it or not, I become a cinematographer. It was a straight hands-on experience. But in retrospect, I feel anybody with a strong visual sense can be a cameraman."

Till 1971, Chakravarthy worked for 15 films, while pursuing his first love in his spare time— art. "It was more like being a Sunday painter. I was doing fine as a cameraman and it did not strike me then that a hobby like art could become my bread and butter some day."

So it was a good deal of trepidation that he quit the film industry and took up painting full time. "But by then, I had already held a solo exhibition of my paintings and going by the public response, I realised I wasn’t as bad as I had probably imagined."

That gave him the necessary confidence. So he joined some fellow artists and participated in several group shows in Bombay, Delhi in his home town, Calcutta. Before long, avenues to the overseas art galleries opened up.

It was during that phase that I discovered my aptitude in areas other than painting," he recalls. "I began to experiment with ceramics— both pottery and carving — metal relief — copper, brass and aluminium sheet — as well still photography."

Before long, he diversified into more specialised areas — enamel work on copper and steel, mosaic in tile, glass, marble and granite, and of course, sculptures, in mild steel, bronze, brass aluminium and fibre glass.

These were mediums that were not just eye-openers but constituted the bases for expanding his mental horizons. For once, Chakravarthy was not constrained by cash to experiment, but could give free vent to his creativity.

"I had become known as an artist by then and money was coming in," he explains. "I was commissioned to instal murals and sculptures by various organisations. Once an artist is assured of a regular source of income, he can think of taking risks."

A few of Chakravarty’s earliest works can be seen at the transit lounge of the Abu Dhabi new international airport. The frescoes at Sultan Qaboos University at Oman as well as the mosaic borders of the Muscat Palace and the exterior of the Shiva temple in Dholpur are all his creations.

His works can also be accessed at www. chiru.com- the website created by some of his close friends and admirers. "I hate advertising for myself, but at this time and age, I guess it is absolutely necessary to make the best use of computer technology".

No wonder, they call him the millennium artist. — MF