Rashmi Rekha Das, OP
The pitter-patter of rain fills the heart with sublime feelings of nostalgia and romance and the first monsoon showers give rise to poetic thoughts, which are “thoughts that lie too deep for words”. Not only is the economy dependent on the monsoons, but the variegated moods associated with the season are also inextricably associated with classical music, dance, painting, sculpture and literature. Artists, especially, have a passionate relationship with monsoon and the season has always evoked the profoundest of emotions in them. While some artists relate it to their childhood, for others the rainy season is directly connected with the strife and struggle of daily life. The many moods and themes of monsoon make their way into an artist’s canvas, with each painting conveying a story that aficionados and art lovers would fall in love with. Sunday POST speaks to a few artists whose chief muse is monsoon.
“I paint during monsoon because the season reminds me of my childhood days,” says Dhenkanal-based artist Sujata Behera. “For an artist, certain incidents spark creativity. I still remember the day when it was raining heavily while I, perched on my windowsill, watched the hustle-bustle of daily life. At that moment, I caught sight of two sisters coming out of a shop, one of them holding an umbrella, walking towards a building. It struck me then that an umbrella is used by everyone irrespective of caste, creed, social and economic status. The rain shield comes in a variety of colours and dimensions. It has symmetry and form. Every angle of an umbrella projects a different and interesting image. From that moment the umbrella has been my source of inspiration and the image of the two sisters is still fresh in my mind. Initially, the umbrella took centre-stage in my paintings, but after a while I felt there was a sort of emptiness.”
Bangalore-based artist Purna Behera says: “Raindrops not only make the soil fertile, they also increase the fecundity of an artist’s mind. The season connects me to my childhood days and those unforgettable moments that remind me of my native village. I have tried to portray those memories in my work.”
“In one of my paintings you will find the earth covered with fresh water and a broken fence. I try to highlight the positive aspects of the season. The old wooden chair in the painting symbolises my old village mud house and golden memories associated with. The lady in Odissi costume depicts the culture of my native village like Gotipua dance, Ghoda dance, Raja festival and other local festivals which are on the verge of extinction. These festivals not only offered entertainment but also helped me grow up as a genuine human being. As a city-dweller those memories have faded today but the season connects me to those golden days. I have a special bonding with monsoon.”
Artist Swayamprabha Parida feels the rainy season is always special for an artist. “This is the only season which I symbolise as the time of ‘sambhog’ when something new is created. As I work on feminism, my femininity is reflected on my works. I always relate to monsoon as a male and the earth as a female. Monsoon brings prosperity to this earth and that’s why in my paintings I try to portray a girl in immense pleasure who serves as a contrast to this dark society.”
Bhubaneswar-based freelance painter Sangita Patnaik says: “Monsoon is certainly a time for celebration. The intoxicating smell of the wet earth, the pleasure of getting drenched and tiny paper boats sailing on clogged waters make monsoon my favourite season. After the interminably long summer months, the rains come as a welcome change. The farmers rejoice at the sight of the first showers, the peacock dances in joy and flowers bloom all around. I welcome ‘barsharani’ in my paintings”. Sangita’s paintings are a fusion of the modern and the traditional.
Suchismita Sahoo, a visual artist and photographer, says, “Monsoon has a profound impact on the lives of people in India. Indians and Southeast Asians rely on monsoon for agriculture. They rely on the season to fill all the aquifers and wells and power hydroelectric facilities. However, monsoon is also the season of flash floods that damage crops and livestock. My work relates to shortage of rains during monsoon which has become a common phenomenon in recent decades. In my work, I try to highlight how animals and birds adapt to urbanisation and developments in standards of living in cities. The birds hover around water bottles to quench their thirst which is symbolic of not only bad monsoons but also loss of avian habitat.”
“Monsoon has its own charm in my life as an artist. It brings me close to nature. The smell of the wet earth, green leaves and the chirping of birds nourish my soul and inspires me to work better. It gives me a feeling as if I am in love.”
