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Works of Raza, Krishen Khanna, their exchanged letters on display

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New Delhi, Feb 25 (IANS) The works of two of India’s most-collected modernist artists, Sayed Haider Raza and Krishen Khanna, have come together in an exhibition here, coupled with snippets from their exchanged letters that express a solidarity beyond borders.

The ongoing ‘Yugma II’ displays Raza’s and his contemporary Krishen Khanna’s works having different artistic styles but connected by their written correspondence.

The art exhibition is part of the ongoing Raza Utsav, presented by the Raza Foundation at the Vadehra Art Gallery here and will run till March 22.

Raza, who moved to France in 1950 and lived there for the next 60 years, frequently exchanged letters with Khanna.

“At that time, these artists were close to each other, they discussed their work, and they needed each other. These letters are good examples of their relationship and state of mind,” gallery director Sonia Ballaney told IANS.

“I am sitting under my beloved olive trees, in front of a small red canvas, and paints and brushes that are calling to me irresistibly. I have chosen to concentrate on this blank sheet of paper…I would like to give you news from here, my impressions of the Geneva show and my plans for the months to come,” Raza had written to Khanna in a letter dated August 9, 1987, from Gorbio, France.

It was printed in the Raza Foundation’s series of letters “My Dear”, published by Vadehra Art Gallery.

“Janine (Mongillat, Raza’s wife) and I are working hard. For me, it’s a period where every painting is taking a lot of time. I can hardly say why. Besides, I have taken to fairly large canvases, but not too big really when one thinks of the eight and ten yards that Husain or Akbar cover with such facility.

“Anyway, size is not important. My eternal problem is of the ‘image’, which seems to escape with an overgrowing obsession of form,” a snippet from another of Raza’s letters in 1960 read.

A glimpse into their personal artistic development, the letters also revealed their deep personal connect.

A letter from Khanna in 1985, right after his father’s death, said: “I am completely overwhelmed by your letter which arrived yesterday. You cannot imagine how close I felt, it was as if you had put your arms around me at a moment of great personal desolation.”

A walk through the exhibition can lead one to trace the developments that were recorded so intimately in these letters, whether it’s Raza’s large canvasses or Khanna’s personal reflections.

–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

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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.

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