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Satish Gupta’s show ‘Roaring Sea, Still Minds’ opens in Delhi
New Delhi, Jan 20 (IANS) As veteran artist Satish Gupta and Odissi dancer Ramli Ibrahim brought to life the former’s sculpture “The Cosmic Wave” through dance movements, a Delhi audience opened up to the mystic Zen spirit of a multimedia art show — on view from Sunday — that depicts the artist’s meditative tryst with the tumultuous sea one evening.
Recalling the day-out when he was sketching along the Normandy coast in France, where French impressionist Claude Monet is said to have painted, Gupta said he noticed the sea becoming very rough and stormy.
“I was deeply involved in my drawing when I noticed my friend sitting cross-legged on the beach and facing the furious waves. This was a very Zen moment — the contrast between the stormy sea and his calm, silent presence in the face of nature’s onslaught struck me deeply and inspired some works,” the 1947-born artist said.
The little tale explains the show’s title “Roaring Sea, Still Mind”, which features 13 sculptures, 10 collages, 15 large paintings and about 125 drawings and calligraphic works with haikus (a traditional form of Japanese poetry) covering two galleries at the India Habitat Centre (IHC) here.
A journey through varied landscapes, minds and thought processes, the exhibition depicts the stormy sea and the roaring waves as visual metaphors for a larger phenomenon.
“They are metaphors for the chaotic state of our world today where we are governed by insensitive people who are drunk with power and indifferent to the rapidly deteriorating environment.
“Instead of fretting and shifting blame, each of us has to think deeply with a calm mind and realize that we are all responsible for this state and find ways to make this world a better place,” Gupta, who is known for artworks celebrating Zen, explained.
The artist, who expresses not just through painting and sculpture, but also calligraphy and haikus, has received formal training from Delhi’s College of Art and Paris’s Ecole des Beaux Arts.
“Calligraphy to me is the ultimate form of creativity. There is no room for hesitation, the work is created in a spontaneous gesture and is complete as soon as the brush touches the paper.
“Haikus are observations of a deeper reality which a common person does not even notice in the humdrum of daily life. Expressed in just three lines and in the traditional format only seventeen syllables, they are more about what is unsaid rather than what is said,” he said.
Each exhibited artwork was depicted through Odissi dance by Ibrahim at the inauguration on Saturday evening. The event also saw the launch of the book “Zen Whispers” by the artist and Claire Thuaudet, Deputy Chief of Mission, Embassy of France.
The solo show opened for public viewing on Sunday, and will remain on view till February 3.
–IANS
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Dr. Abhishek Verma Dedicates a Shelter in Memory of His Mother, Veena Verma, at KGMU; Inaugurated by Daughter Nicolle Verma
World-renowned business tycoon Dr. Abhishek Verma has supported Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission. In memory of his mother, Late Veena Verma, who was a 3 term Rajya Sabha MP.
Dr. Verma dedicated a state-of-the-art free permanent shelter for the attendants of patients at KGMU Medical University, Lucknow, under the aegis of Vijay Shree Foundation. His daughter, Nicolle Verma, inaugurated the shelter.
During the event, Foodman Vishal Singh honored Nicolle Verma by presenting her with a memento. Mrs. Nidhi Sharma and Avantika Yadav, associated with the organization, welcomed her with garlands. Following this, Nicolle Verma distributed essential items to the attendants and also handed out fruits. She became emotional remembering her grandmother on her birth anniversary.
On this occasion, she also inaugurated the “Veena Verma Sevalaya” in memory of her grandmother, Veena Verma, to serve the attendants. She expressed, “I feel proud that my family is engaged in nation-building as well as social service. Today, in collaboration with Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh Ji, I feel immensely proud to dedicate this shelter for the poor, helpless, and needy attendants of patients battling serious illnesses like cancer. I am honored to be associated with the Hunger-Free World Mission for humanity.”
Inspired by the continuous humanitarian service provided by Vijay Shree Foundation over the past 17 years, Nicolle Verma donated 10 lakh rupees to support the cause. The purpose of this donation is to ensure that services continue for the needy attendants of patients suffering from severe illnesses in hospitals, as facilitated by Foodman Vishal Singh.
It is noteworthy that Dr. Abhishek Verma’s family has a legacy of public and philanthropic service. They are helping millions to carry forward the values and service work of their parents. On the occasion of his mother’s birth anniversary, Dr. Abhishek Verma dedicated this state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College to serve the attendants of patients through the Vijay Shree Foundation.
Supporting Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission, Dr. Abhishek Verma assured that he would continually support keeping this flame of humanity alive. He also promised to assist in providing medicines to the helpless patients.
Continuing her grandmother’s legacy of service, Nicolle Verma personally served food to the needy patients and attendants. She said, “It is our good fortune to have received the joy of doing this noble work today through Foodman Vishal Singh. I have taken another step forward in carrying my family’s values and cooperation by joining hands with the Vijay Shree Foundation. My father taught me to serve and help the needy, and I feel happy when I bring a smile to someone’s face.”
On the birth anniversary of the late Veena Verma, the event organizer, Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh, said, “We feel proud and happy that Dr. Abhishek Verma, a globally renowned business tycoon, has extended his support to uplift our country from the hunger index. Today, on his mother’s birth anniversary, he inaugurated a state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College, which will always be helpful for the needy attendants of patients. It is a pleasure for me and the organization to receive the affection of Mr. Verma.”
The event was attended by General Manager Verma Family Office Hemant Garg, Sonu Rajput, and the organization’s volunteers, including Sandeep Singh, Parmeshwar Ji, Prashant Rao Gautam, Balram Singh, Ramesh Chaudhary, Suman, Jeetu, Anil, Suraj, Vinay, Manish Bhadauria, Manas Mehrotra, Vivek, Apurv, Happy, and others.