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Humour in every frame
In a narrow lane of perhaps Indore, Jodhpur or Delhi, a man in a Nehru jacket with neatly partitioned and oiled hair, fans a variety of mithais. A prominent sign on the wall behind him, next to a framed photo of his parents, reads, ‘If you have nothing to do. Please do not do it here.’
WHAT: Jantar Mantar
WHERE: Art Musings, 1 Admiralty Building, Colaba Cross Lane
WHEN: Until August 14, 10.30 am to 7 pm. Closed on Sunday
CALL: 2216-33319
ENTRY IS FREE
In a narrow lane of perhaps Indore, Jodhpur or Delhi, a man in a Nehru jacket with neatly partitioned and oiled hair, fans a variety of mithais. A prominent sign on the wall behind him, next to a framed photo of his parents, reads, ‘If you have nothing to do. Please do not do it here.’
In Mumbai, the Capitol cinema stands in all its glory, announcing a Marilyn Monroe movie, River of No Return. In the foreground, a man eyes two young girls carrying flowers as two Parsi women look on, intrigued.
These colourful paintings in a humorous tone are part of artist Nilofer Suleman’s new exhibition, Jantar Mantar. They celebrate roadside dentists, mithaiwalas, old theatres and cafes, with a hint of nostalgia.
“These works might make you laugh at our double standards or weird ways, but I am not being sarcastic. This is just how we are,” says Suleman.
The nine detailed works show life in India, particularly street culture, as captured in Suleman’s photographs and observations over the years.
“I am saddened that the hand-painted signs and these quirky sign boards are being replaced by printed flexes. The former is a part of us of who we are and of the Indian reality,” she says.
