Calligraphy artist Parameshwara Raju’s recent series ‘In Divine Rhythm’ takes on mythology and beyond
There is a lyrical rhythm with which Hyderabad-based artist Puspati Parameshwara Raju draws attractive red calligraphic motifs on paper using pens and nibs of various sizes. The artist is recognized for his minimalist narrative of mythological tales. In Divine Rhythm, a new exhibition featuring 95 of his recent works has opened online (art.kunstmatrix.com/) as part of the Hyderabad Literary Festival 2022 and will be observed throughout this month.
The exhibition provides an insight into a wide range of his work – stories from the Puranas, epics, Buddhism, Christianity and paintings of Aum to name a few. The calligraphy displayed in this exhibition will also be part of an upcoming book by curator Koeli Mukherjee. “The book will take a deep dive into his life, trace his journey from childhood and attempt to trace the development of his style of calligraphy. He is a little talkative and therefore, while his imagination is widely known, not many know what shaped his work,” says Cooley.
Parameshwara Raju spent the pandemic-induced lockdown neck-deep at work. The result is a new series on Adi Ganesh, Ramayana and Aum; He also worked on a 2013 series featuring the story of Jesus: “I did a series of The Story of Jesus for an exhibition in Delhi in 2013. When I revisited them, I needed to turn the images around. The new illustrations are complex with more elements. The story had to look and feel different to represent a different era and community.”
For those who are familiar with his work and his extensive portrayal of any series, be it the Ramayana, the Puri Jagannath series, the Dashavatara or the Shiva Purana, it may appear that he works on a series from beginning to end. , only relax when he has finished telling the story. However, the artist revealed that his approach is non-linear: “I read up on a topic and wondered how I could describe an event in simple calligraphic form. How to move the nib, then I add elements to give the series a different texture. I may not work consistently on one series.”
He gives examples of how he began to depict Aum and it lent itself to a series on Hanuman: “I was drawing various forms of Aum and stumbled upon how I was as Hanuman. I can work.”
A picture of Nandi and an image of Hanuman in the court of Ravana are examples of his simple works. In contrast, there are other richly detailed stories. Kartikeya is depicted flying on a peacock to circumnavigate the world, while Ganesha sees his parents Shiva and Parvati as the sage Narada, an example.
Devoid of facial features and expressions, it is left to bold calligraphic strokes to convey emotion, and they do so clearly. It is a pleasure to behold an image of Ganesha dancing and playing drums.
A retrospective exhibit on various series by Parameshwara Raju is on the cards at the Museum of Sacred Art, Belgium. Meanwhile, the artist has started working on a new series on Buddha and the Mahabharata: “I’m also planning a series for children, which will have simple illustrations,” he says.
Later this summer when Koili Mukerjea’s book is set for release, In Divine Rhythms will be showcased as a physical exhibition to coincide with the book’s release in various cities.
(Can be seen in Divya Taal until February 28 at art.kunstmatrix.com/)
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