<p>A collective dedicated to mandala art was launched in March in Bengaluru. The group comprises full-time artists and a few novices. </p>.<p>The Mandala Arts Collective-Bengaluru has 37 members. Founded by artists Madhurya Dwarakanath and Rohini Bharath, its aim is “to discuss the nuances of mandala art and create a community for artists”.</p>.<p>Life-skills and arts-and-crafts teacher Madhurya, who took to mandala art in 2018, created a similar group in 2019. It became inactive during the pandemic. “Over the years, I realised there was a need for a dedicated space for mandala art, through which one could hold meetups and exchange ideas,” she says. </p>.<p class="bodytext">The group conducted its first meetup in April and will hold its next on <br />May 24. “We will hold monthly meetings which will involve creating artworks, and having conversations over food,” shares the Banashankari resident.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Mandala art is thought-provoking and allows one the freedom to express oneself freely, notes Madhurya. She points out that mandala art has different styles — line, dot, sacred geometry, sand, and ornate mandalas. “Mandalas exist in Indian folk art like Madhubani art and even Pattachitra. Other forms include Tanka (inspired by Buddhism), Tezhip and Islimi (inspired by Arabic motifs), and Yantras (used in Hindu rituals and temples),” she explains.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Rohini, a full-time artist, does mandala art on home decor articles like nameplates. “Minimal space is provided to mandala artworks at exhibitions. We started the group to bridge this gap,” says the Uttarahalli resident. Sacred geometry, line, and dot mandala works are Rohini’s favourites.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Member and full-time artist, Divya Murali, started with zentangle art before moving to mandala art in 2017. “I worked with pen and paper and have now moved to acrylic colours,” she says, adding that the group helped her with tips like how to pack art supplies and where to purchase the best. She is one of the 20 artists who will exhibit their works at a show organised by the group from July 10 to 13 at the Indian Institute of World Culture, Basavanagudi.</p>.<p class="bodytext">For details, check @mandala_artists_collective on Instagram or write to mandalaartistscollective@gmail.com</p>
<p>A collective dedicated to mandala art was launched in March in Bengaluru. The group comprises full-time artists and a few novices. </p>.<p>The Mandala Arts Collective-Bengaluru has 37 members. Founded by artists Madhurya Dwarakanath and Rohini Bharath, its aim is “to discuss the nuances of mandala art and create a community for artists”.</p>.<p>Life-skills and arts-and-crafts teacher Madhurya, who took to mandala art in 2018, created a similar group in 2019. It became inactive during the pandemic. “Over the years, I realised there was a need for a dedicated space for mandala art, through which one could hold meetups and exchange ideas,” she says. </p>.<p class="bodytext">The group conducted its first meetup in April and will hold its next on <br />May 24. “We will hold monthly meetings which will involve creating artworks, and having conversations over food,” shares the Banashankari resident.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Mandala art is thought-provoking and allows one the freedom to express oneself freely, notes Madhurya. She points out that mandala art has different styles — line, dot, sacred geometry, sand, and ornate mandalas. “Mandalas exist in Indian folk art like Madhubani art and even Pattachitra. Other forms include Tanka (inspired by Buddhism), Tezhip and Islimi (inspired by Arabic motifs), and Yantras (used in Hindu rituals and temples),” she explains.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Rohini, a full-time artist, does mandala art on home decor articles like nameplates. “Minimal space is provided to mandala artworks at exhibitions. We started the group to bridge this gap,” says the Uttarahalli resident. Sacred geometry, line, and dot mandala works are Rohini’s favourites.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Member and full-time artist, Divya Murali, started with zentangle art before moving to mandala art in 2017. “I worked with pen and paper and have now moved to acrylic colours,” she says, adding that the group helped her with tips like how to pack art supplies and where to purchase the best. She is one of the 20 artists who will exhibit their works at a show organised by the group from July 10 to 13 at the Indian Institute of World Culture, Basavanagudi.</p>.<p class="bodytext">For details, check @mandala_artists_collective on Instagram or write to mandalaartistscollective@gmail.com</p>