The debate in India between materialism and renunciation is as ancient as the land itself. But it’s been of greater significance in present times due to the blitzkrieg of enticements luring ‘economically-liberalised’ Indians at every turn of their movement to a life of hedonism.And that is why, the paintings of Vishakhapatnam-based veteran artist V. Ramesh, who has been exploring the theme of spiritual elevation of humankind through the examples of renowned historical saints, for a decade, assume greater significance. That’s because these saints too came at those turns of India’s history when the society was faced with inexplicable tensions, confusions and temptations, through which they tried to steer the public at large, thereby becoming immortal in the quest for attaining oneness with the eternity.Ramesh’s paintings on the subject, made over a decade, and four recent ones, are presently on view in an exhibition titled “Remembrances of Voices Past”, at the American University Museum at the Katzen Arts Center in Washington D.C. The exhibition is presented by New Delhi-based Gallery Threshold that had also taken the show to the prestigious National Gallery of Modern Art, Bengaluru last year.In a world besieged with questions of how much can an art work snap up in a market whose fortunes are more fickle than ever before, the spiritual quotient of Ramesh’s paintings is a veritable break as they suddenly transport one to a totally different plane. Giving a glimpse of what that other world is all about, the 57-year-old artist writes in the catalogue accompanying the exhibition, ‘No virtue, penance, knowledge, self-control/ A doll to turn at other’s will – I danced whirled and fell/ But he filled me in every limb, with love’s mad longing / So that I might ascend from where there is no return/ He showed his beauty and made me his’/ Ah me, when shall I go to him. It was an epiphanic moment during a fortuitous encounter with these lines of the 8th century poet/ sage Manikkavachakar while on a serendipitous visit to Ramanashramam more than a decade ago and the emotions of that moment have stayed with me all the time.’It shows in his canvases (done slowly and gradually at the rate of three-four a year) where abstraction peaks with a mellifluous blend of words, colors, figures dissolving in the ethereal background, suggesting man’s spiritual oneness with the soul of the universe. Says Tunty Chauhan, director of Gallery Threshold, who has taken the show to the Katzen Arts Center, “Ramesh has continued his pre-occupation with the saint poets of the 4th – 12th centuries with this show. It’s his personal spiritual journey through the years that has translated so beautifully on to the painted canvas.”This writer dares to think that the chemistry between the two – Chauhan and Ramesh – is nothing short of a connection that may have been pre-destined. What Chauhan says may corroborate that conjecture. “I started the gallery with a folk art show in 1997 in Vizag (Vishakhapatnam). Ramesh walked in to see that show and became a dear friend and guide. All my early associations in the art world were through him. It’s as much his person as his art that keeps our association growing. He was at the time represented by Pundole as well in Mumbai, but with Pundole having turned into an auction house, Threshold became his only gallery. It’s a relation based on mutual respect and trust, deep friendship and commitment – much like a marriage.”Even the current exhibition at the Katzen Arts Center too looks pre-destined on hindsight. Recalls Chauhan, “Jack Rasmussen, the director of Katzen had come to India three years ago and during the trip, stumbled into Threshold. Ramesh’s show was on display at the gallery and he showed a very keen interest. I persevered and it took time as the logistics were high… The works are finally on display here.”And the fact that we, forever looking for a means to slowdown in the mad rush of daily life, should get to pause in front of each of these canvases, may or may not be pre-destined but the exhibition is certainly is more worthy than just a pause.— “Remembrances of Voices Past,” an exhibition of paintings by V. Ramesh is on view at the American University Museum at the Katzen Arts Center, 4400 Massachusetts Avenue, NW Washington, DC, through May 24Follow @ARTINFOIndia
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