I wondered how simple things in life have so many details that we sometimes fail to see them. Although roads, rocks and even sand are single colours to the eyes of a common man, it is a marvel to behold the vision of an artist who sees beauty and myriad colours even in simple things.
To the artist Ravikiran Parmeshwar from Vasco, Goa, rocks are not mere black, they have different shades such as purple, yellow, orange and white, which renders aesthetic charm to its simplicity.
An exhibition titled, ‘Flavours of Goa’ showcased the different beauties of the coastal land. A tribute to the magnificent heritage of Goa and revolutionary leaders walking the path of justice was painted with elegance and displayed in a lit room.
“Goa is dear to me and my childhood memories associated with the marvelous land are locked in my heart. Although I am a native of Goa, my work keeps me occupied in Mumbai and I rarely find time to travel back home,” shares Parmeshwar.
The artist has his forte in portrait painting. He expressed, “My connection with Mumbai grew studying the history of the place and the legacy of a great Maratha warrior, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. Learning about his unmatched military prowess, I decided to paint Shivaji Maharaj.”
Pratapsigh Rane’s portrait reminded the artist of the then chief minister of Goa during his schooling days at Mata Secondary School in Vasco.
Parmeshwar painted a series of portraits titled ‘Moods of Dalai Lama’ wherein one of the paintings was appreciated and signed by the Tibetan spiritual leader. That particular portrait he decided to display at the ‘Flavours of Goa’. “It is a mark of achievement for me and it is part of my memories,” he said.
A few of the beaches of Goa including Arambol, Colva, Baga, Baina and Velsao were captured on canvas with colour schemes appealing to the eyes. The sea is often painted blue in broad daylight but Parmeshwar’s microscopic vision sees it differently. His representation of the sea had colours of the sky, seaweeds, foam and smoky clouds depicting the depth and interplay of the sun’s reflection on the glittering waters. Hues dabbled on the canvas with a palette knife added texture and provided an impression of real.
The traditional fishing boats of Goa rendered stunning colours through different shades highlighting peculiar features of a sharp angular archetype wooden make.
The grey on a simple tar road in Mala, Goa, was juxtaposed with tones of Persian blue commanding the onlooker to see things from a different perspective.
A simple attire worn by Shivaji Maharaj with a design at the end was made to look gorgeous with varied shades of the existing gold embroidery work.
The great spiritual leader leaning against a school bench answering questions from the young ones has blue tints on the monk’s robe as well. This shows the significance of using blue shades, which in Tibet denotes purity. The usage of orange on the blackboard symbolises wisdom.
Every detail, from the facial features, hands and hair, is done intricately in all portraits, especially the eyes, which lets one interpret the visionaries’ goals.
In abstract paintings, one would be bewildered by many interpretations and the artist would have his imagination.
(Highlights of Ravikiran Parmeshwar’s work – The artist received appreciation from the spiritual leader and head of Tibetan Buddhism Dalai Lama during a series of portraits of His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama exhibited by Parmeshwar at the IIT, Powai. He has two paintings displayed at Dandi, Gujarat at the National Salt Satyagraha Memorial.)
