Drawing women is very fascinating

Says Madhubani artist, Neelkant Choudhary, who has given a contemporary twist to Madhubani paintings for his current show

For artist Neelkant Choudhary it’s not the traditional Madhubani forms that fancy his canvas but scenes from everyday life. For example, school going children, priests on the streets and stage performances — all are part of Choudhary’s current exhibition that is running at Gallerie Ganesha. Women surprisingly take up the major share in his works. “It’s very fascinating to draw women. They have a lot of vibrancy connected with the colours they wear,” he says.

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According to Choudhary, it was the desire to do something different that led him to discover this contemporary twist to Madhubani. But at the same time, it was difficult for him to breakaway from the traditional background and take up modern subjects. “Like any artist, my work too has evolved over the years. I did start with the traditional Madhubani by drawing gods and goddesses but now, my subjects and the use of colours is very different. I’m using monotones and pastels, something very unique for Madhubani.” He adds,“There are various levels to Madhubani art. Over the years, it has broken bounds, adopted new manifestations and expanded its constituency. The art that you see in the villages is very different from the one sold in the city. The villagers, when they draw Madhubani for various rituals, don’t use black colour. Whereas the paintings sold in the cities use black shade in abundance.”

Catch it live
What: Madhubani show
When: Till April 5
Timings: 11am to 7pm
Where: Gallerie Ganesha, E-557, Greater Kailash II
NEAREST METRO STATION: Nehru Place on the Violet Line