Dilip Guha ★ New Delhi : Dhoomimal Art Centre, one of India’s first private galleries, presented an exhibition titled “Myths & Memories.” The exhibition explores the rich intersection of Indian folk traditions and contemporary artistic expression. It features works by artists Tanushree Chakraborty and Shahid Parvez. It is being held from April 12 to April 17 at LTC, Bikaner House, Delhi.
Established in 1936, the Art Centre explores the intersection of traditional folk influencers and contemporary artistic expression. The 6-day exhibition aimed to offer a striking visual dialogue between two distinct yet complementary styles as it beautifully merges the artistic sensibilities of the East and West.
Both artists draw from deep cultural roots yet take distinct approaches—Tanushree’s work is steeped in history and mythology, while Shahid embraces spontaneity and childhood wonder.
The pieces from Tanushree Chakraborty draw inspiration from the rich heritage of the Santhal Tribe in Bengal, while Shahid Parvez brings to life the tribal and folk arts of Rajasthan. This has been achieved by employing intricate layering and detailing techniques that weave their life stories into their canvases to create works of profound depth and meaning.
Together, their works create a compelling visual dialogue that bridges tradition and contemporary practice, past and present, myth and memory, and reality.
Elaborating on the exhibit, Mohit Jain, Director of Dhoomimal Art Centre, said, “At Dhoomimal Art Centre, we celebrate art that blends cultural roots with personal expression. This exhibition does just that as both artists draw inspiration from Indian folk traditions, yet their approaches contrast beautifully. We look forward to sharing this unique showcase with our audiences.”
What makes Myths & Memories especially compelling is how these two artists, drawing from similar sources of inspiration, have arrived at strikingly different visual languages. While Tanushree transforms the human body into a narrative vessel, Shahid weaves childhood wonder into sophisticated, layered compositions.
Speaking on the collection, Shahid Parvez mentioned, “I am truly delighted to present our two-person artwork display, as it holds a special significance for me. The Dhoomimal Art Centre has been an integral part of my artistic journey, providing a platform that has nurtured and supported my growth over the years. This showcase is not just an exhibition but a reflection of the creative dialogue and shared vision that has shaped my work. I am excited for art enthusiasts to experience this collection, which brings together distinct yet harmonious artistic expressions.”
Shahid’s works are playful and uninhibited. His layers are not of history but of memories, age, and experience, approached with a child’s imagination—boundless and free. He paints without a fixed plan, allowing the canvas to guide him. His works celebrate spontaneity and joy, revealing the unseen layers that shape human existence. While his themes may seem lighthearted, they hold depth—his use of mixed media, textures, and colours mirrors the complexity of life itself. His art invites us to shed our intellectual masks and approach them with innocence, tapping into the child within us.
His thoughts about his childhood memories transcend into his canvas, brought to life through the graceful strokes of his paintbrushes.
While explaining one of his art exhibits, he shares, “Childhood memories hold a special place in our hearts—they bring joy and smiles and shape who we are. They’re an integral part of our identity, influencing our future. In today’s fast-paced world, children seem to miss out on the simpler, nostalgic experiences of the old days that defined our times.”
In contrast, Tanushree’s work is rooted in history and myth, deeply influenced by her childhood immersion in the stories of the Santhal tribe. She draws inspiration from the Santhal body art tradition, Ulki, where tattoos preserve ancestral history on the skin. Similarly, her canvases become vessels of intricate detailing and mythological storytelling. The concept of Atrinjita—where human history unfolds in grand, exaggerated gestures—runs through her work. She seamlessly blends the traditional with the contemporary, reimagining gods and myths in present-day settings, bridging past and present.
In one of her art pieces, Melodrama – Bioscope, the object becomes the subject—the bioscope is personified as a storyteller, narrating tales from the Panchatantra. Tanushree draws inspiration from the myths and stories she heard during her childhood—tales that have been passed down through generations and are deeply rooted in the oral traditions of her surroundings. Immersed in these narratives, Tanushree developed a visual language that seeks to preserve and reimagine them.
In her words, these stories come to life through the lens of nostalgia, using the bioscope as a symbol of wonder and old-world storytelling. “For those familiar with these myths, the work evokes a sentimental return to the past; for younger viewers, it offers a fresh perspective on forgotten tales and provides a visual experience of a time they never witnessed. This piece bridges memory and myth, connecting the past and present through vibrant, expressive imagery”.
Further commenting on this showcase, Tanushree Chakraborty said, “I believe art is a reflection of an artist’s imagination and aspirations. For me, the ability to give meaning to a line through art brings immense joy and fulfilment. I am deeply grateful to Dhoomimal Art Centre for providing a space that nurtures my creativity, and I look forward to sharing that same sense of freedom and joy with others through my art.”
Featured Image : Artist Tanushree Chakrabarty
