Jamini Roy painting exhibition

'What ways would I follow? I find I cannot take the path of Europe, China or Tibet. I cannot follow Persian or Mughal paintings because I do not live in those circumstances, so I tried to find my way within myself. I do not care whether my paintings are good or bad. I want its appearance to be different.' —Jamini Roy

Mr Prabhas Kejariwal of Chitrakoot Art Gallery and Mr Ashatit Halder of Charulata are working hard to present to us the world of Jamini Roy through his works at Chitrakoot Art Gallery from 1 August to 31 August, 2023 from 3–7 PM.

Many have been visiting this art gallery to appreciate the paintings of Jamini Roy. One of the most treasured visitors have been a group of curious learners of classes 6–10 and their teachers of Modern High School, Kolkata. A delighted Mr Prabhas Kejariwal took the onus to discuss with the learned teachers and the students on Jamini Roy and guided them through the gallery. 

Jamini Roy used oil painting, water colour and ink. He created natural colours from oil of vegetable seeds, tamarind or mineral pigments, and also used foreign made synthetic paints. He experimented with a variety of medium, and also painted on leaves, wooden structures, canvas, and board. He made masks.

Jamini Roy have created extensive portraits, such as women, mother and child, the dancers and drummers, and animals in traditional Patua folk style. We are aware and see these paintings of Jamini Roy. The symmetry and lines are to be studied deeply. He vividly portrayed Hindu and Christian iconography, such as The Last Supper, Christ, Fight to Egypt, Blessing Christ, Virgin Mary, Shiva and Ganesha, Parvati with Ganesh and Attendants, Agni Pariksha of Sita, and so on. He also made a tribute to Rabindranath Tagore through portraits, water colour, tempera on board. However, the specialty of this exhibition is his impressionist landscapes, which are being presented for the first time. These are rare paintings of Jamini Roy which gives a panorama of the rural and urban environment of his time. These paintings are exclusive but few. Some of these are Venice, and Riverside. The landscape paintings captured the eyes of the teachers and students alike as very little is known about it. Mr Kejariwal explained to them how vividly Jamini Roy viewed his surroundings and painted them in details. Everyone listened keenly and he answered the queries of students and teachers. The teachers also eagerly took a small session in the gallery to explain the versatility of the great artist to the students, and satiate the young minds. The teachers and learners left the gallery enriched and with an interest to know and research more about this legendary creator.

We encourage more teachers, students, and everyone with a keen interest in arts to visit and experience Jamini Roy through his paintings. As Jamini Roy often said before his death, “Art decorates, not merely our rooms, or walls, or landings—supreme art decorates life supremely.”