Unlike her contemporaries who focus on one medium, Rini
Dhumal’s works personify the term ‘multimedia’. The 70-year-old pays homage to
the spirit and indefatigable strength of women through ceramic, bronze
sculptures, drawings, paintings, tapestry and silk in her latest ongoing show.
Titled Parallel Wings - The Art of Rini Dhumal , the
60 works of the showcase features the central theme of the devi or divinity of
women. The art, made over two years, attains a new meaning depending on the
medium in which it is created. “Whether it’s tapestry or terracotta, multiple
things are happening in various mediums which run parallel to each other,” says
Dhumal. “For me, multimedia means using diverse techniques in the language of
the medium. The theme underlying all the works remains the same and reflects my
philosophy.”
The
Vadodara resident, who has always celebrated the image of shakti in her work,
is grateful for her upbringing. “I come from a household where many rituals
would be held,” she remembers. “Every creative individual reacts to their
surroundings. My grandmother was a strong woman. So, I have never felt the need
to portray a shy or meek woman, but someone who is dignified with immense
power.”
The
tapestry or the woven pile rugs, as they are called, were created in Benaras
using myriad hues of brown and maroon. Dhumal was clear that they would be
different from the colour scheme of her paintings. “The tapestry is rustic and
has a serene feel,” she explains. “Serenity has always underlined all my works
but now it’s more pronounced. As one grows old, one wants to be meditative and
seek solitude.”
As a
student of Padma Vibhushan recipient KG Subramanyan, Dhumal had learnt to work
in multiple mediums since an early age. Her time in Shantiniketan, West Bengal,
taught her how art could be created outside the classroom in the lap of nature.
“My mentors KG Subramanyan, Krishna Reddy and Somnath Hore had joie de vivre,”
says Dhumal. “They taught me that I shouldn’t restrict myself to painting but
explore different mediums and learn print making too. Also, India is diverse
country. There is diversity in religion, food, clothing, thinking and this
connotation of multiple mediums comes from that too.”
The
former professor at M.S. University in Vadodara, has chronicled her works in
books such as Drawn to Life: The Sketchbooks of Rini Dhumal and Rooted
Landscapes: The Art of Rini Dhumal . She continues the trajectory
with her new coffee table book named after her current exhibition which
explores the process of her creating these artworks and chronicles her life.
When
the septuagenarian is not working, she likes to spend time with her family. “My
life is well spent and I do what I want to do,” smiles the doting grandmother.
“It doesn’t matter if it’s intellectual or if it’s wrong or right. When I look
back at my artistic journey, I feel it has been interesting.”
Source: THE HINDU-24th November,2017
