Art’s affair with literature

A Delhi-based artist has collaborated with a Delhi-based writer to bring together 11 beautiful oil ­portraits on canvas, that can be seen at an ongoing ­exhibition at Visual Art Gallery in the Capital.

A Delhi-based artist has collaborated with a Delhi-based writer to bring together 11 beautiful oil ­portraits on canvas, that can be seen at an ongoing ­exhibition at Visual Art Gallery in the Capital. The exhibition, titled Aarambh Ke Gyarah Chitr, is based on a Hindi book ­comprising 11 short fiction stories, called Aarambh Ki Gyarah Kahaniyan.



Artist Ankur Rana, 33, who has created the portraits, each based on a different chapter of the book, tells us, "Several movies have been inspired by books. But having an art exhibition based on a book, especially a fiction one, is rare — particularly in India. When I was approached to make ­paintings on the different chapters of the book, I took it up as a challenge, and ­eventually, enjoyed myself thoroughly."

The book was penned by Alexshendra Venus Bakshi (pen name of Neha Bakshi), a 27-year-old advocate, who released the book (her first) a year ago. Talking to us, she says, "I wanted to write in Hindi because the language is close to me. I wanted to do something with the book to make it memorable. That’s why an exhibition. I am also in talks to have a play based on the book."



Talking about the response on the paintings, priced between `2.5 lakh to `4 lakh, art ­consultant Nita Dutta, who is involved with the show, says, "It is difficult for an artist and a writer to collaborate. But these guys have done it ­beautifully — something that is evident from their ­artworks. These paintings ­speak a ­thousand words. The response on the show so far has been maginificent."

Catch it live
WHAT: Aarambh Ke Gyarah Chitr, an art exhibition
WHERE: India Habitat Centre, Lodhi Road
ON TILL: July 23
TIMINGS: 11am to 7pm
NEAREST METRO STATION: Jor Bagh on the Yellow Line