History no longer needs to be restricted to textbooks. It can now also decorate walls and add zing to your home décor. Paradox Pink, a lifestyle store, in association with acclaimed photographer Ashish Chawla, has just launched a series of portraits of Indian monuments from over the years that celebrate Indian heritage with alternative art. These portraits capture the essence of monuments like the Qutub Minar, Victoria Terminus Station and Gateway Of India, some of which date back to more than a thousand years.
“Indian monuments stir the soul. We need to understand that historic images can also speak a contemporary language. So through these images, history emerges from the books, and into our lives,” says Raseel Gujral, creative head, Paradox Pink.
The idea to initiate this venture came about as both Navin (businessman husband Navin Ansal) and Raseel Gujral have a tremendous affinity for architectural monuments. Also, there was a desire to promote and offer a contemporary alternative to art, which is novel, affordable and topical to the city they are displayed in. “After all, the enigma and charm of these monuments have caught the imagination of an endless number of poets, thinkers, scientists and philosophers. We too wanted to help promote their essence,” says Gujral.
Ashish Chawla has a series of photographs available on monuments in every Indian city. However, Paradox Pink initiated the series with select monuments from Mumbai and Delhi. While one can opt for images of Qutub Minar from the Delhi series, images of Gateway of India, V.T. Station and Flora Fountain are some monuments featured from Mumbai. Gujral says, “The idea of the collection is to document monuments which have endured the passage of time and witnessed the emergence of our great country since time immemorial.”
Ashish Chawla has a series of photographs available on monuments in every Indian city. However, Paradox Pink initiated the series with select monuments from Mumbai and Delhi. While one can opt for images of Qutub Minar from the Delhi series, images of Gateway of India, V.T. Station and Flora Fountain are some monuments featured from Mumbai. Gujral says, “The idea of the collection is to document monuments which have endured the passage of time and witnessed the emergence of our great country since time immemorial.”
The works are signed by Chawla, and are part of a limited series (only 12 pictures of the same monument are available). The portraits are priced at Rs 80,000 each for 40”x 54” in sepia print. Also, the possibility to customise is possible in whichever size, format or medium desired and agreed upon with Casa Paradox and the photographer.
Gujral is now looking to having some government cooperation to reach out to a vast audience and do India proud. She says, “We would ideally want to cover a vast area of India in our portraits and also across many mediums.”