A solo painting exhibition of a young artist Kripa Radhakrishnan was held at Jehangir Art Gallery which was inaugurated on 02nd May 2022 by SNDT Women’s University Vice Chancellor Ujwala Chardeo and many a enthusiastic art lovers were participated in that colourful function.
Kripa started the art of drawing when she was in Junior KG and her first Solo exhibition was held at BKS School, Vasai at the age of 12. Thereafter she got several awards of national and international level during her school and college days.
The exhibition is still on at the most famous art cave of Mumbai in which she is presenting 37 paitings from her series ‘Ashtanayika’. Ashtanayika discusses eight forms of nayikas or heroines as classified by Bharathamuni in his treatise on performing arts: the Natyashastra. The classification given to these nayikas (heroines) is according to their various fictional situations the representations of different feelings and reactions. Many of the religious and mythological representations of Ashtanayika are present in literature and the arts .
Through this series , Kripa wants to emphasise the celebration of Love and Companionship which is not merely bodily, rather it is depicted as divinely and precious for ever.
Kripa Radhakrishnan is a Mumbai based artist, doing her Doctoral studies in Interdisciplinary Arts at Ohio University , Ohio ,USA.
She believes that it was a turning point for her when she could meet many senior most Artists during an Art show (Titled “Art Pooram “) held in Savithri Phulebhai Natyagruha hall, Dombivli on the occassion of Mumbai Pooram (Replica of Thrissur Pooram ). Krishnamachari Boss , Riyas Komu, Gayatri Guruvayoor, Santhosh TV, Jitesh Kallat, Justin Ponmani, Anoop Panicker, Lakshmi Harikrishnan,SN Sujith, TK Muraleedharan, PV Nandan, Rajan Raghavan, Pavithran Kannapuram, James Manalodi, Muralidas Peralassery, Premlal Raman were few out of 25 Mumbai based artists participated on three days show.Kripa also could meet many eminent personalities like Mrs. K.G.Menon (Secretary of Jahamgir Art Gallery) famous Artist Laxman Shreshta , Late.Professor P.K.Ravindranath and many more . Kripa later decided to do further studies in Art and it was her dream to showcase her solo painting Jahangir Art gallery, the pride of Mumbai.
She completed MFA in Studio Arts (2019) from CUNY ,The City college of New York, USA and recieved Achievement medal of the Art Alumni : The Eggers Award .She is also a Gold Medalist from SNDT Women’s University, Mumbai.
Kripa is a trained classical dancer too and she is very keen to explore Indian Arts and culture through dance .Her other areas of art involvenent includes development Sculpture, Installation, printmaking and sound Art. Her artworks generaly focus on spirituality and social issues. Ashtanayika series of paintings are a blend of Spirituality, abstractness and Innovaation .
Kripa basically do research on Advaita philosophy, which itself is abstract format of Nirguna Parabrahma.
Her research and paintings are inter- connected. Abstract painting is a European concept emerged in 19th centuary whereas Advaita philosophy is deepily rooted in Indian culture and spirituality . Her research and paintings reflect the essessence of a trilogy in thought process: Abstract, Advaita and Absolute.
Kripa is the daughter of Radhakrishnan and Valsala now living in Vasai.This show will be held till 8th May.
Written by Kvs Nelluvai.
*(Poet and Art Critic)
(Kvs Nelluvai is a freelance writer and he was a enlisted Art writer with Jahangir Art gallery from 2010 to 2015.He has curated many art shows including ” Art Pooram” and published many articles on Art in leading malayalam periodicals).
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