HYDERABAD: Come next week, the painting department of the Jawaharlal Nehru Architecture and Fine Arts University (JNAFAU) College of Fine Arts in Masab Tank will step into realms of history for celebrating womanhood with an art show by its former women students covering seven decades. The occasion is 75 years celebration of the college and the department headed by Priti Samyukta deemed to bring together all the works of women artists starting from 1942. The idea was conceived by Priti to let the young students understand and see the works of its alumni. But why only women artists? “This is a patriarchal society and women artists often go unnoticed. In fact, women artists have to put in extra effort to be noticed and recognised,” points out Priti and adds, “We are saluting all those women, those unsung heroes who strived hard to make a mark. And, the way the artists have evolved is tremendous with new mediums, thoughts and styles keeping up with the trends.”
The show titled ‘Viewpoint’ and to be held at Nehru Art Gallery inside the college premises features artworks by women who are practising artists, women who shifted gears, students-turned-teachers, recent pass outs and artists, who killed their interest in art due to different reasons. Priti, a former student from the college says she hit upon the idea in January. “As an in-charge, I wanted to take the department to another level. This is an indirect way of teaching the students. We initially thought of holding the show in March to coincide with Women’s Day but the work was exhaustive and required more co-ordination. Since the College completed 75 years, the display found an ideal reason,” she smiles.
The work involved constant co-ordination with women artists spread out across the country and even abroad. While thanking artists who parted with their works, Priti mentions about all her colleagues in the department who played a major role. “I am excited as this is my baby but everyone is taking care of it,” laughs Priti.
The title was chosen to give a different perspective to the exhibition. “The title is secular and women’s views are not always heard or part of any conversation,” she says.
Overall, 43 artists are participating starting from Freny Behmanshaw from the ’42 batch. “Freny mam was also the first woman teacher of the college and is currently in Bengaluru. Kavita Deuskar and Anjani Reddy are also student-turned-teachers and even headed the department, whose works will be showcased. Lydia Victor, who lives in the US sent her work through a print,” explains Priti. Pointing towards a canvas, Priti says, “This is Hoor Girglani, a ’75 batch student’s work done in egg tempera. Many artists do not work in this medium now.”
The fascinating feature of the exhibition is that students featured are from every decade since ’42. Besides Priti’s work, the display includes works of old students like Kusum Viswanath, Laxmi Reddy and Padma Reddy and the young clan is represented by Priyanka Aeley, Afza Tamkanath, Vineela, and Annapurna. “We have tried to represent as many students as we can,” says Priti.
Kavita Deuskar, a former head of the department remembers her student days. “We were taught a lot of techniques by our teachers. Freni mam’s (Freny Behmanshaw) uniqueness was her beautiful drawings and she would work in water colours. The depth in leaves, petals and flowers had a different feel,” she states.
On a parting note, Priti, who is curating the show says, “I feel privileged and honoured to be able to bring across the works of such wonderful artists on a single platform. The show to begin by next week will continue at Nehru Art Gallery, JNAFU, for 20 days.
