Musee Mattise, and a painted museum-quality lehenga
Critic and Curator Uma Nair has been writing for the past 35 years on art and culture She has written as critic for Times of India and Economic Times. She believes that art is a progressive sojourn. She learnt by looking at the best shows in Washington D.C. and New York. As author her most important books are Reverie with Raza and Meditations on Trees by Ompal Sansanwal. LESS ... MORE
Jayasri Burman, India's legendary woman artist who celebrates the fertility of the universe within, in her works, has over 40 years, created a vocabulary that journeys through various environments that encourage or require stillness. From fertile ponds and waters and riverine flows to many a lotus leafed oasis that captures depth and gravitas within feminine fervour, here is art born of mythos and Bengali literature.
More than a garment
Her painted lehenga for Radhika Ambani's aashirwad was more than a wonder and today it reaffirms the interdependence of man and nature. Aesthetic beauty, meaningfulness and multiple references all come together in this epic creation. Styled by the brilliant Abu and Sandeep, this lehenga proved to be more than a garment. Distilled in the prism of a man and woman union, it is the study of a universe that is filled with realms that resemble a sacred ritual, a time for pause in a world that has forgotten how to nurture pause, a balm in the frenzied pace of our urban and digital lives.
Root memories
It also reminds us of the great story of the vineyard of Aeolus. In the story it is said that the earth has memory, like the vine. For us humans, it is a question of synchronising this root memory and that of the soils . In addition, the vines must respect the earth. Within the tapestry of imagery created on this lehenga that was a fruit of 16 hours every day for 30 days, the entire ensemble echoes the story of root memories born through the crucible of experiences but harnessed through an odyssey of personal explorations of Prakriti (nature) that she considers her backdrop for all her narratives.
Musee Matisse at Nice
In her odyssey of the lehenga, Jayasri says she was in South of France when the call came through at the Matisse Museum in Nice. She was enchanted by the different works in the chapel related to the museum. It has important works linked with the Vence Chapel: 13 maquettes for chasubles and vestments, 3 maquettes for the chapel, 2 studies for La Jérusalem céleste stained glass window and a maquette for Les Abeilles, 2 large drawings representing St. Dominic. The large drawings of the priest St Dominic impressed Jayasri the most.
She says it inspired her to do the same for this lehenga as she flew back to India. Jayasri's evolution over the years has reflected her love for Indian cultural heritage, and the legacy of our textiles, and she wanted to reproduce her artistic sojourn like Matisse on this precious Indian garment.
Jayasri says, Radhika said she wanted to hang the lehenga on her walls someday, so the medium had to be a long-lasting choice. She got a canvas that would flow like a cloth and that's how it was decided it would be an Italian canvas.
Light and landscape
Light and landscapes in rich tones within the tenor of a fertile and vibrant universe is Jayasrii's leitmotif. Like Matisse, Jayasri has developed a distinctive style characterized by strong colours, simplified forms, and a focus on capturing the essence of the environment. Within her universe of flora and fauna, the little ducks the lotus blooms and botanical brilliance; we see the intensity of the play of light as well as nature's essence as her constant inspiration.
Mounting Mood magenta
This is not a fabular tale but a real story of a union of two individuals who are distinctive. Anant Ambani's love for animals is seen in the landscape so deftly created with charismatic contours and expression. Jayasri says she cut 12 canvas pieces, mounted them on a ply board, and began her painting after creating the background contours with her pens. Her palette moved into a moody magenta , a tone she had encountered in previous engagements with the family.
Within the medley of mood and colour we note that Jayasri interweaves moments of emotion with artistic flair — all stamped with a hidden, magical signature of the feminine form.
Lehenga as a relic
This lehenga will be a relic in the pages of contemporary art and couture history in India as well as the world. It reflects Jayasri's search for subjects and thematic ideologies in the framing of feminine forms and nature. It reminds us of the connection between humans and Earth transitions that lead to inviting conservation and human intervention for preservation of Prakriti.
Years ago when she came to Delhi in the 1990s at her first solo at Gallerie Ganesha, Jayasri said: ' In my life, creativity has been the most important thing because creativity to me is freedom.'
Now so many years hence, a year after she finished creating this dramatic lehenga she says: ' Creativity is a beautiful way of living life because you can create your own style in a different manner. It is not only about art, it is about life, about people, about everything. Creativity for me is endless. Creativity allows me to appreciate different cultures, different hearts and learn from great Indian as well as European Masters. And it also allows me to have knowledge about the impact of my own work. And that's where my inspiration for painting comes from.'
This delicately created lehenga in a subtle way states that nature is the glue that holds us together and unravels its secrets in the sifting of light from the mood edits of darkness and springing works that delight the mind's eye. Indeed when hung on a wall it will be more than a mere decorative backdrop. The composition of the vivid and surreal paintings drawn from Indian spirituality and life, with the emotional charge of the work, rendered within each meticulously created form is about matrimony and memories pressed between the pages of our minds.
(IMAGES :JAYASRI BURMAN STUDIO)
Facebook Twitter Linkedin Email Disclaimer
Views expressed above are the author's own.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Mint
an hour ago
- Mint
'Not easy, they come from a lot of struggles': Zoya Akhtar, Ayesha Sood explore lives of trans, non-binary individuals in In Transit
New Delhi [India], June 14 (ANI): Be it a school educator from Tripura or a classical musician from Bengaluru, the four-part documentary series 'In Transit' gives a sneak peek into the lives of nine individuals who live beyond the gender binary and are ready to go through hardships to fulfill their dreams. Each character is at a distinct level in their journey, confronting and challenging societal norms. Produced by Zoya Akhtar and Reema Kagti under the banner of Tiger Baby, the four-part docuseries is directed by Ayesha Sood. The project explores the lives of trans and non-binary individuals navigating love, identity, and the boundaries of gender in a uniquely Indian way. In a conversation with ANI, producer Zoya Akhtar and director Ayesha Sood got candid about the series and shared the challenges of making 'In Transit' Zoya shared that the genesis of the series traces back to the positive response to 'Made in Heaven': "The idea came, actually, after when we started doing Made in Heaven, the first season of Made in Heaven, we got a lot of support from the LGBT community and a lot of love from them. And then the next season, we had a character called Meher, which was played by Trinetra Haldar Gummaraju. And that was a trans woman character. While we were writing it, we realised we knew very little. So we did extensive interviews with about six women. And just their candour, the way they were so candid, the way they shared, and we realised how little we knew of these experiences. And they were from all over India. I just felt that this needs to be explored more. Lucky for us, our partners were Amazon Prime. And when I pitched this to them, they just went for it. So then we got Ayesha on who curated, she wanted to cover in this docuseries. And that's how it started." 'In Transit' is an unfiltered insight into the lives of nine people who live beyond the gender binary. The series features real-life stories of courage, vulnerability, and resistance from people around the country, including a young educator living in a reserve forest, a classical musician from Bangalore, and a corporate hotshot in Mumbai. Talking about the research work and bringing all the stories together, director Ayesha shared, "We did very deep research for about a year and a half. And through that time, we went through, like, from history to mythology to politics to understanding all the concerns of what it means to be trans in this country. And through that process, we made a long list and sort of filtered down ideas and thoughts of the story, and then came down to a final nine. So, you know, different stories and different perspectives and but also, you know, make them universal in that we are talking about, you know, identity and love and family. So these are also universal themes. So that's kind of broadly how we came to our characters." About the challenges of bringing them on camera to share their stories, Sood added, "Through the time that we were doing our research with the team, we started to sort of have conversations and build a relationship with these characters. We spoke with them, we did online interviews, we sent people and went and met them like one-on-one, no cameras. So I think the key thing here was to build this over time. And by the time they came to the camera, they knew us. So they were comfortable with us, and they trusted us. I think it was tough for a lot of them. These are not easy stories. They come from a lot of battles and struggles with people close to them and people in their lives. So I don't think it's easy for them at all." Referring to the story of a school educator in Tripura, Ayesha said, "Sid, who comes from Tripura, actually has a very complicated and tough story and runs away from home and had to be rescued with this conversation, this story that happened with his partner because there was another abduction involved. And we actually found Sid through a local sort of help NGO, an NGO in Kolkata. And they had rescued Sid and his partner from this traumatic night and evening. Our research team had somebody who knew of this, of this NGO and through them, we found this story. So it was like, I mean, I think it was like amazing that we were able to make these links with networks across India, like people who worked in the field, worked with trans individuals who could help us find these characters." Transgenders face different challenges including social exclusion, discrimination, unemployment, lack of educational facilities and others. The director talked about their acceptance in society and how, through the series, she hopes to bring a change. "I think people change and societies change when they experience things that move them and you'll see through the series also, there are some people who are accepting and there are some people who are not accepting and some families that do and some families that don't. So, I don't think it's, you look at the society as one block, you know, has society changed or it hasn't changed but things like 'In Transit' are what is going to help people change. You see it in your living room with family, with other people that you know and hopefully that sparks a conversation and a dialogue within that living room, you know, and changes something there." On talking about the challenges of making the project, Zoya shared, "For me, it was not challenging at all. Reema and me wanted a director that would actually not be manipulative, would actually not want to do something that would be,.. shocking or trying to attract attention in a way that we didn't want and Ayesha was the first name that came to both of us because there's a certain empathy, there's a certain understanding, there's a certain compassion, there's a certain analytical brain, there's a certain she just ticked all the boxes. Then Ayesha came on, honestly, we, for us, it was jam. We really didn't have any struggle." Ayesha agreed and said, "Filmmaking is chaotic and complicated and has many moving parts, but this wasn't a struggle for any of us. The struggle was for our characters, you know, them coming out, telling us their stories. They had to be involved in our process from beginning to end, you know, like give up parts of their life to us, whether it's photographs or introduce us to their worlds. So I think the struggles lay with them, you know, like for us, it wasn't a struggle." 'In Transit' is out on Prime Video. (ANI)
News18
an hour ago
- News18
Happy Birthday Jubin Nautiyal: These 5 Songs Still Give Us Goosebumps
Last Updated: Happy Birthday Jubin Nautiyal: Raataan Lambiyan to The Humma Song, here's a look at his memorable tracks. Happy Birthday Jubin Nautiyal: One of the most popular singers in the Indian music industry, Jubin Nautiyal celebrates his 36th birthday today. Jubin has carved a niche for himself in the music industry with his distinctive style and melodious voice. He gained widespread recognition for the songs Raataan Lambiyan from Shershaah, Zindagi Kuch Toh Bata from Bajrangi Bhaijaan and The Humma Song from OK Jaanu. As he celebrates his birthday today, let's take a closer look at his memorable and latest songs as a singer. Jubin Nautiyal's Top Songs Raataan Lambiyan: Talking about Jubin Nautiyal's memorable tracks, the list should definitely begin with this melodious track from Shershaah. Featuring Sidharth Malhotra and Kiara Advani, the song beautifully captures the longing and yearning of two lovers separated by distance and circumstances. The song conveys the emotions of love, loss, and sacrifice through its poignant lyrics and soothing melody. The Humma Song: The track from OK Jaanu is a vibrant and energetic track that blends romantic and carefree vibes. The song, filmed on Aditya Roy Kapur and Shraddha Kapoor, has catchy beats and Jubin's soulful vocals. It perfectly captures the essence of a blossoming relationship. Tum Hi Aana: The romantic and melancholic song from Marjaavaan featured Sidharth Malhotra and Tara Sutaria. Sung by Jubin Nautiyal and Payal Dev, the track conveys the longing for a loved one's return and evokes deep emotions of love, separation, and yearning. Akh Lad Jaave: Sung by Badshah, Jubin Nautiyal, Asees Kaur, Tanishk Bagchi, the track is from the film Loveyatri (2018), and features Aayush Sharma and Warina Hussain. The upbeat song blends folk and modern elements of music with catchy beats and lively vocals. Zindagi Kuch Toh Bata: The song from Bajrangi Bhaijaan is a poignant and emotive track that explores themes of longing and separation, with lyrics that tenderly convey the ache of being apart from loved ones. First Published: June 14, 2025, 07:20 IST
India.com
an hour ago
- India.com
Ranbir Kapoor's Ramayana's confirmed cast: Yash, Sai Pallavi, Sunny Deol to Amitabh Bachchan, 18 big stars to play these roles
Nitesh Tiwari's ambitious adaptation of the Ramayana has unveiled an exceptional cast, generating immense excitement among fans. With Ranbir Kapoor taking on the iconic role of Lord Ram and Sai Pallavi embodying the elegant Sita, the film promises to deliver a grand cinematic interpretation of this timeless epic. The Ramayana is expected to become one of the most highly anticipated films in the history of Indian cinema. Here's a look at the full cast and what viewers can expect. Highly Anticipated Project Ranbir Kapoor will portray Lord Ram in Nitesh Tiwari's Ramayana, who is known for his impressive acting talent, he is expected to bring both serenity and depth to the character. Sai Pallavi will play Sita, marking her notable debut into Bollywood. Her graceful and authentic style makes her an ideal choice for the role, and fans are eager to see this new pairing bring the epic love story of Ram and Sita to the screen. A Star-Studded Star-Cast Including… The mythological film features an outstanding ensemble cast with lead actors, Rocking Star Yash, taking on the formidable role of Ravana, while Sunny Deol embodies Hanuman, adding strength and intensity to the character. Ravi Dubey is cast as Lakshman, and Lara Dutta portrays the intricate character of Kaikeyi. As per Rakul Preet Singh will be seen as Shurpanakha, with Kajal Aggarwal playing Mandodari. Amitabh Bachchan adds gravitas as Jatayu and Anil Kapoor is rumored to play King Janak. Mohit Raina takes on the role of Lord Shiva, while Vikrant Massey plays Meghnad. Kunal Kapoor will portray Lord Indra, and Vivek Oberoi is set to appear as Vidyutjihva. The legendary Arun Govil will step into role of King Dasharath, with Adinath Kothare as Bharat. Additionally, Ramya Krishnan and Sheeba Chaddha are rumored to play Kaushalya and Sumitra, respectively and Bobby Deol is speculated to portray Kumbhakaran. More About Ramayana The film will be released in two parts, with Part 1 slated for theatrical launch on Diwali 2026, specifically November 8, 2026. The follow-up, Part 2, is expected to be released during Diwali 2027. In addition to a cast full of stars, this movie features skilled professionals, such as co-director Ravi Udyawar and writer Shridhar Raghavan. Pankaj Kumar manages the cinematography, and the VFX is led by Namit Malhotra's DNEG. Created by Madhu Mantena, Allu Aravind, Namit Malhotra, and Yash, with an impressive budget of Rs 835 crore, encompassing both segments.
