Metroscape

Nov 22, 1999

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Art of Passage
Rarely do art openings become political pilgrimages. But when former prime minister Vishwanath Pratap Singh reincarnates as a creature with a touch of the muse it makes for a happening inauguration. And so they all flocked to admire the Raja of Manda's works: Maneka Gandhi (giving her son Varun Feroze a tutorial in the art of the possible, perhaps), Madhu Dandavate, who still maintains a presence in Delhi, Syed Shahabuddin (looking for artistic relics to prserve?), Wasim Ahmed (don't ask who), Madhavrao Scindia (something about ex-rajas flocking together) and I&B Minister Arun Jaitley-keeping himself informed, of course.

The Caur hostesses-mother Ajit and daughter Arpana-apart, there were some artists there too. Painter Satish Gujral cut the ribbon while Bulbul Sharma, Devraj and Paresh Maity clapped. The cameras clicked and the flashguns popped. And in the illumination two facts came to light: not all the works are entirely unseen-the noose and the solitary crow are recurring images in Singh's works-and that this time round he has by his own account made a "lucid switch" to colour too.

Yet, Singh's sincerity cannot be scoffed at. He freely admits that he "still hasn't evolved his language and style". Modesty is always a necessary virtue for an artist.

-Anita Sharma

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