JOIN USArtist Vikash Kalra is surrounded by three strong women – his mother, wife and mother-in-law. All of them staying under one roof inspire him to paint women in a positive light.
His work Mother and Daughter encompasses these feelings in the hues of bright red and orange. The Delhi-based artist’s work, along with several others is displayed in a group art show “APARAJITA - Indomitable Spirit of Women” that aims at sensitising the public on Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao campaign using the medium
of art.
Over 145 works of around 70 artists have been displayed in the exhibition that boasts of prominent names like Anjolie Ela Menon, Arpana Caur, Gogi Saroj Pal, G R Iranna, Jogen Chowdhury, Jatin Das and Niren Sen Gupta.
The exhibition has been organised by Voluntary Health Association of India (VHAI), in collaboration with Gallery Freedom and according to Praveen Upadhye “there was no restriction on the art”. “There are works of some of the artists who are not alive and we also approached many artists to paint keeping the theme in mind,” Upadhye tells Metrolife.
“The exhibition is just one of the means to reach out to a larger audience and spread awareness about the girl child. In urban cities and centres, people have started to treat boys and girls as equal,” he adds.
Women in these works have been celebrated as bold and beautiful, they don’t come across as meek and submissive. As Kalra points out, “positive approach towards women is important to highlight their hidden power and strength.“I know how much power a woman has. The three women in my life are an epitome of strength and they constantly inspire me to paint positive images of women,” says Kalra.
The works are for sale and Upadhye points out that a small percentage of the money collected would reach the people in rural areas.