International artists capture Meghalaya's heritage on canvas
New Delhi, June 10: The picturesque beauty of Meghalaya's Cherrapunjee -- nestled deep in nature's lap -- has inspired 12 international artists to create unique representations of the region's and heritage.
Titled "Abode of Clouds", the exhibition draws its name from the English translation of Meghalaya, and is open for viewing till June 18 at the India International Centre (IIC).
On display are the works by participants of Artists' Point international arts residency programme in Meghalaya in 2016, which aimed to introduce a dialogue between diverse cultures and their art forms.
The group art exhibition is "the reflection, the visual record capturing the essence and spirit of Meghalaya" on canvas.
The northeastern state is a rich repository of biodiversity and natural splendour, spanning hills to waterfalls, all of which segue onto canvas from the imagination of the artists-in-residence.
A confluence of nature and culture, Meghalaya is truly embodied in the art works which includes paintings of landscapes, churches, foot bridges, flora, open fields, red cows, among other peculiarities of the state.
In the past two years, professional artists from Slovakia, Czech Republic, Hungary, Spain, France, Bangladesh and India have explored the diversity of Indian culture, exchanging creative ideas with locals and art enthusiasts.
Local school children from areas around the East Khasi hills took part in the workshops conducted by international artists, and won accolades too.
The exhibition showcases works by Jana Bednarova and Juliana Mrvova (both from Slovakia), Juhidevi Bhanjdeo (India), Dominik Bouma, Eliska Failova, Barbora Chlastakova, Katerina Pekna, Jan Prazan and Michaela Vrbkova (all from Czech Republic), Zsofia Hajdu (Hungary), Moinuddin Moni (Bangladesh), and Gabriela Valls Schorr (Spain).
The residency, organised jointly by the Slovak Embassy and Meghalaya's Art and Culture Department, was supported by Picasso Pupils, an international artists' community.
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Ramdas Athawale backs Fadnavis as Maharashtra CM; says Shinde can shift to Centre
New Delhi, Nov 26: RPI(A) leader Ramdas Athawale, a key BJP ally, on Tuesday called for a quick decision on the next chief minister of Maharashtra and suggested that incumbent Eknath Shinde should shift to the Centre as a Union minister.
Addressing a press conference here, Athawale also backed senior BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis as the next chief minister of Maharashtra, contending that the saffron party won the maximum number of seats in the 288-member Assembly and should have the right to the top executive post in the state.
He said a peculiar situation has arisen in Maharashtra where BJP leaders want Fadnavis as the chief minister, while Shiv Sena leaders want Shinde to continue in the post, citing the good work he has done over the last two and a half years.
Athawale, the Union Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment, said NCP leader and Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar has declared that he was not in the race for the chief minister.
"We need to resolve this matter, without any further delay. The election results were announced on November 23 and we should have had the oath of the new chief minister on November 26, the Constitution Day," Athawale said.
Backing Fadnavis for the post of chief minister, Athawale said Shinde can become the deputy chief minister or shift to the Centre and join the government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Athawale said his RPI(A) has a presence in every part of the state, but unfortunately lost the two seats -- Dharavi and Kalina -- offered to it in the recent Maharashtra Assembly elections.
He demanded that an RPI member be made an MLC and a minister in the state government.
The BJP-led Mahayuti won a landslide victory in the Maharashtra Assembly elections winning 235 seats in the 288-member House. The BJP won 132 seats, followed by Shinde-led Shiv Sena (57) and Ajit Pawar-led NCP (41). Smaller parties, who are part of the alliance, won five seats.
