A photo of a banyan tree on the Chevella Highway by Sandeep MVS | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
An image purportedly by Aditya Kulkarni showing a hazy, hazy view of a large banyan trunk is captioned ‘Out of sight?’ It is one of several artifacts that draw attention to the plight of banyan trees along the road to Chevella, on the outskirts of Hyderabad. Beneath the Chevella Banyan at the city’s EcoArt Gallery in Banjara Hills, a collaborative exhibition of paintings, drawings, installations and photographs by 36 artists and photographers. Curated by Avani Rao Gandra, Chevella Beneath the Banyan was also recently screened at the Hyderabad Literature Festival 2023, incidentally, under a banyan tree at Vidyaranya School.
Over 900 banyan trees that are more than 100 years old are in danger of being axed or shifted to make way for road widening on the outskirts of Hyderabad. Citizens groups are strongly opposing the move, and this art exhibition is another way to mark their protest.
Out of Sight by Aditya Kulkarni | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
The exhibition was made possible by photography coordinator Ashutosh Patwardhan and program associates Sadhna Ramchander and Kobita Das Kolli. Avni, curator and founder of Iconart, says, “When I re-opened the gallery post lockdown, I told myself that the art we showcase should be inclusive, collaborative and more impactful. The Chevella is an effort in that direction under the banyan. Nature lovers and activists in Hyderabad stick to their stand that banyan trees are part of the city’s cultural heritage and need to be protected; This exhibition supports the cause.
Avni wanted to have artists on board who could go beyond the figurative and explore the subject through abstract, expressionist and symbolic forms. During a brief exposure at the Hyderabad Literature Festival, he observed how the installations inspired conversation among visitors. “The children, especially, were moved by the installation (by Anil Jalakam) of a bird’s nest with eggs.”
Terracotta Leaves by Snehal Kashikar | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
In Avni’s painting, the banyan tree is depicted realistically and a tree is equated to a monk. Anushka Dutta sees the banyan tree as a microcosm of life.
Snehal Kashikar creates an artistic impression of leaves in the form of a leaf-shaped terracotta ceramic.
Photos by Arnab Biswas show a banyan tree at different times of the day. Hari Priya Wangaroo’s picture of a falling leaf inspired by O Henry’s short story the last leafAnd the artist hopes that just as the last leaf saved someone’s life, similarly art can save trees.
(Chevella Beneath the Banyan is on view till February 20 at Iconart Gallery, Banjara Hills, Hyderabad)