The relics of the erstwhile Vijayanagara Empire have seemingly come alive in New Delhi in an ongoing exhibition of one of the most revered historical sites.
Titled “The Fabled Hampi”, the exhibition, through 44-odd paintings, almost takes the viewer on a virtual tour of Hampi, that has been declared a World Heritage site by UNESCO.
Like any painting of a historical monument, this collection by award-winning artist Ganesh Doddamini, too is testimony to a rich bygone era, but what leaves the viewer fascinated is the way the artist has played with light almost creating a three dimensional effect.
The artist plays with illumination from different angles, and recreates the nuances of the historical architecture in acrylic on canvas — in both colour and black and white— as well as water colours.
Hampi in a different light
The fact that Doddamani has made at least 150 paintings on Hampi alone, makes one wonder about the artist’s fascination with this single monument.
“Every time I saw Hampi, I saw it differently; in a different light, with different surroundings,” says the artist.
Doddamani says he visited the site very frequently and the collection is an outcome of his multiple stays and interactions with people there. “Hampi had become my home,” he says.
In about half a dozen paintings that are on display at the Art Spice Gallery at the Metropolitan Hotel here, the artist has very interestingly, painted the exterior and interior beside each other. He magnifies the minute details much like what a microscopic camera would do, and offers his audience a clearer, closer view of the intricate art work.
A boy can be seen playing a flute in one of the paintings and in another a priest blowing air into a shankh.
Doddamani says he attempted a parallel between past and present.
The artist, who has painted mostly in bright hues like yellow, ochre, orange and vermilion says, “If a painting that is placed in your house makes you happy every time you look at it, it has served its purpose.”
The exhibition will be on till May 20.PTI
The group of monuments in Hampi, Karnataka have been declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. The monuments are an example of Vijayanagara Empire’s spectacular architecture.
