Gandhi speak

The Guide caught up with senior artist K Sivakesava Rao who is exhibiting paintings on Gandhi

With Independence Day just around the corner, it's time to stir your patriotic feelings. Drop in at Art2day Gallery for their solo show, titled Bapu by artist K Sivakesava Rao from Hyderabad. The exhibition will showcase 27 paintings of Gandhi in various moods and expressions.

"Everyone knows Bapu as a glorified man and as a freedom fighter. I have captured him as a common man. There are so many interesting facets about him that people are unaware of. For example, he used to take 2 minute-long power naps in between meetings. These are little incidents that have been captured in my paintings," says Rao. Most of the works have been rendered in black and white and some introduce tones of earthy yellow and brown. His expressionist pictures captures Gandhi's strength to transform his environment.

Rao maintains that he had to do a lot of research to know the simple aspects of Gandhiji. "I did not read up his biographies but focused on chronicles which delineate other aspects about him," adds Rao. After touring Hyderabad, Ahmedabad, Chennai and Delhi, the exhibition is finally in Pune. Rao is very excited about being in the city because this is where Kasturba died and Bapu was imprisoned in a palace for a long time.

The exhibition opens just two days shy of Independence Day, which was a conscious decision, says Rao. "We are exhibiting the work now so that more art lovers drop in out of patriotic fervour."

Till: August 20, 11 am to 8 pm
At: Art2Day, Solapur Highway, Camp.
Call: 24452706