The Singing Portraits: Artworks depicting India’s Classical Music Tradition
Swar Raga Chitra: The Singing Portraits is the series of 16 paintings by artist H.N. Suresh, who is the director of Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, Bengaluru.The artwork drew inspiration from the texts of Maharaja of Mysore Krishnaraja Wadiyar III and displayed on digital platforms.Each piece is imbued with charming colorful motifs and mixed media components.
Artwork is amusing to look upon as they draw the distinctions between Hindustani and Carnatic music by canvasing the notes and swaras in animal form. His earlier works find inspiration in astronomy,science, mathematics and cosmology.According to Suresh the Music therapy has been incorporated in the messaging as well. These multiple linkages are a “feast for the senses.For example, the painting for Raga Ramakali – Raag Ramkali depicts the romantic mood of the music. The artwork for Raga Vasantha – Raag Lalat portrays the vibrancy and exaltation of spring.
The objective behind the exhibition is to instill awareness and evoke the interest of masses about our rich cultural heritage, and integrate art and music,” says Suresh.
Become a Premium Member to access our exclusive contents: https://authindia.com/premium-community-membership/ There is a documentary, made on the making of Swar Raga Chitra in which the renowned vocalist and scholar T.S. Sathyavathi has provided and commentary and the songs have been rendered by Maruti Prasad and Omkarnath Hawaldar, supported by Ashwini Satish, Bharati Pratap and Shilpa Shashidhar.Apart from this an elaborated coffee table handbook edited by author Jyothi Raghuram has also been published.