JOIN USArt is synonymous with beauty and happiness for many people but B D Jagadish does not like to walk on the beaten path. The prolific artist has used his exceptional skills to mirror the grim reality of society and his paintings depict his observations of life around him.
With more than a hundred paintings to his credit, some of Jagadish's works have garnered attention from across the seas. His most famous work remains the one depicting the terrorist attack on the twin towers of the World Trade Center which he made four years before (yes, you heard that right!) the incident.
In a symbolic pictorial depiction, the painting shows an aeroplane crashing into the famous twin towers, huge fire balls, bodies hanging out of the buildings and people watching disturbing scenes. He imagined this situation when he visited the World Trade Centre tower in 1995 and envisaged what would happen if a plane crashed into them. The painting was even featured in a book published by Karnataka Lalitha Kala Academy in 1998.
"As an artiste, it's my duty to look into the past, present and the future. Anyone who incorporates all these three times into his painting will definitely become a successful artiste," says Jagadish.
Born in Banaki, Tirthahalli Taluk, Shimoga District, Jagadish is a graduate in Karnataka traditional painting and in fine arts (painting). With numerous shows and awards to his credit, he is a known name in the artistic fraternity in India.
His uncanny ability to decipher the future can be gauged from another painting of his. Created almost 15 years back, it depicts the relation between terrorism and India.
"The intention behind it was to show how India and the US can join hands to destroy terrorism. While making the painting, I thought that we needed a strong person to lead the country in its fight against terrorism. I didn't know that some one like Modi will be coming to power but I feel he is the one shown in my painting," says Jagadish.
The painting involves many elements like the flags of the two countries and a handshake. There is also a bat which symbolises terrorists who attack from the back at night. Jagadish has been in touch with the authorities to grant him an audience with the Prime Minister so that he can present his painting to him. While a date has not yet been fixed, it is all just a matter of when rather than if.
"I expect nothing; no financial help, no awards. I don't want to make money out of my paintings. I only want to share thoughts with the people."
He derives inspiration from experience and most of his themes revolve around society and man. "I want to highlight the truth and tragedy of our society, albeit in a nicer way. The world may look great to most of us but the core is rotten. Making money is everyone's motivation. I want to showcase all this," he says.
His problems have also been his inspiration and provocation to work. Hailing from Kuvempu's village, Jagadish too wants to make a difference through his artwork. "I will do what I can with my limited skills. I don't know if it will bear fruit but at least I am planting a seed."