Spreading colours of fame

Goa, a state in western India with coastlines was the location for an exhibition of artists from the subcontinent and the Sultanate of Oman. The artists visited the former Portuguese colony and successfully took part in the exhibition named Renkler Waves. (‘Renkler’ means colours) held at Ujwal Art Gallery.

The gallery at Vagator, a lively coastal area centred near the beach, saw 25 artists from the Sultanate of Oman along with India, Bangladesh and Sudan taking part under one roof displaying over 48 paintings, calligraphy, paper cutting and pieces of sculpture.

Mona Rathod, an Indian artist resident in the Sultanate of Oman, and Dr Tushar Bansal, who launched ‘Incredible Talents,’ an art promotion company, curated the show.

It was a first of its kind for Incredible Talents post pandemic as all their earlier displays were virtual. The artists were able to actively find buyers, providing a platform for their talents to be showcased. The Goa gathering also gave them an opportunity to exchange ideas as well as form worthwhile bonds in their artistic journey for mutual benefit.

Mona, who has created a niche for herself with her incorporation of 3D effect in her paintings, says she chose scenic Goa to break away from the lethargic issues due to Covid-19 pandemic for almost two years. “So we thought to provide a place where they can enjoy and can even have a get together with cultural art exchange and some sightseeing along the beaches, locations.”

She notes the response was excellent even in the view of Covid-19 though international buyers were not present due to some travel restrictions. A number of local visitors evinced interest and they were able to sell sculptures and art works with some international buyers enquiring online.

Before she started the organisation in 2018 she was organising events at individual levels and had earlier held over 12 international exhibitions. She notes its growth and her ability to build a huge family of artistes in a short span of 3-4 years.

Oman-based landscape and abstract artiste Dr Madhurani Sudhir Sawant says the exhibition succeeded in conveying the intrinsic artistic expression. “I was thrilled for the entry into this offline event, wherein four countries were involved. The cherry on the cake was that a few lucky paintings got new homes. I encourage artists to co-operate with Incredible Talents, stemming from my own successful experience,” she adds.

Luminaries like Alexyz, cartoonist, contemporary of Mario Miranda, Sadashiv Vishnu Parab who is often called upon by Goa Kala Academy to judge their competitions, visited the exhibition.

Art director and critic from India, Qazi M Raghib, said the event saw every artistic style and different mediums from oil, acrylic, water and ink while some created mixed media compositions. “Realistic to abstract, symbolical paintings with a modern outlook,” he adds.

Rajesh Madhulkar, film producer Monkey Valley Entertainment and Production House, Sanjay Harmalkar, senior portrait artist. Plant Man, Miguel Braganza who has led goals of sustainable agriculture and an executive committee member of the Botanical Society of Goa, are some of the celebrated artists who visited the exhibition.

Qasim Talib al Bouraiom, General Supervisor and member of Oman Skating Sports Committee was a special guest along with Sushmita Gupta, Convenor Rangrez Artist Group, Indian Social Club (ISC) Muscat. Other guests included Dr Qazi along with Rehaman Patel, President, Indian Royal Academy of Art and Culture as a guest artist.

Encouraged by the resounding success, Mona plans to hold many such expos in Mumbai, Kathmandu and Muscat soon.

Mona hopes the exposures will provide a platform to all the artists to exhibit their works and grow through cultural exchange programmes. Soon, they are planning to hold an exhibition in Nehru Centre Art Gallery, Mumbai, which is the dream of every artist in India and abroad.