Speaker @ RBK Internation School's Annual Art Exhibition

Presentation

Inauguration

Presentation

Students painting

Interaction

 

RBK Newsletter

From shy to photographers delight!

However shy one may be to begin with, there's no stopping once confidence is triggered. The thought crossed my mind when I was clicking this cherubic, reticent little adivasi boy and saw him transform into a photographer's delight at Rekha Rana's recent 'Art Food for thought' study trip. This composed picture brings together multiple shots, to express what I felt.  Digitally composed by Anu Suhas.

Sharing the gay abandon of an art field trip.

What an exhilarating experience

Imagine a day where you are in the outdoors, with likeminded people, doing what you love most, under no compulsion, simply liberating to say the least. Yesterday was one such day, thanks to Rekha Rana, artist and initiator of the ‘art – food for thought’ WhatsApp group. The venue for the
field trip was an adivasi village within the interiors of the Sanjay Gandhi National Park, Borivali, Mumbai.  We met at noon, artists Ratan Saha, Rekha Rana, Amit Kumar, Sujiet Podar, Arabinda Samanta and myself and drove deep into the unkempt woods when Ratan spotted the spot. ‘Let’s park here’

We packed our haversacks with art material, some snacks and water and began to explor. Dry shades of earthy brown was the overwhelming hue. Mud houses layered with the paste of dung and dry hay, sparse and clean environs housed the adivasi tribe at Teenchwadi. What got my notice was the absolute absence of any art. No wall paintings, no symbols, no signs of ritual spaces. Nature itself was the canvas here and we were let loose to find our subject of interest for our study.

Noon was nap time and so there was stillness around. Our audiences were the frisky black dog, white cat with unique yellow ochre eyes, loads of desi roosters and chickens with broods of chicks and highly intelligent crows. We had become the entertainers and they the entertained and all of us loved it. The surprise was the odd bangle seller who was on his rounds when all houses were shut. Left us wondering!

In the midst of drawing and sketching breezed in an adivasi girl with a broad smile and a glistening metal plate holding six cups of piping hot tea – That was our moment of the day. So while we take our tea break enjoy our experience through the picture gallery and let the pictures speak for themselves. Should any artist feel tempted to join us on our forthcoming trails, do call, my coordinates are mentioned below.

We all seem to have found our muse

Installation

The seller who came when customers were asleep

Textures

Feeling accomplished

Nature's dryer for handwashed clothes. Reminiscences of yesteryears

A splash of colour amidst dry brown hues

Amit's impression of me

Display time

Remembering Dad

Many years ago in Delhi my father was at my brother DK Bose’s house, at the breakfast table he said -from this distance ‘I feel as if I am watching over the family in Mumbai from the sky’ he turned to mom saying ‘wonder whether, one day without us being there, will they all remain together in the years to come?’ Today it’s twelve long years without his physical presence and I know for sure, with a chest filled with pride he is telling Mom and my eldest brother who have joined him, to enjoy watching the united Basus and its many offshoots. 

Mid way my sis in law Anita’s father who had heard this concern /comment of Dad mentioned at his hospital bed “I will go and tell your father, his fears are groundless and to the contrary the family has only gone stronger” 

Today on this 12th year of remembrance as a tribute to dad let’s all pat each other for keeping the family strong with unity. A special thanks to every youngster of the 2nd and 3rd generation for tightening the bonds. 

I personally believe we all 49 members hit the jackpot at inception when we were chosen to be a part of this family. From all of us a chorus “Thank you Dad, for building this family factory”. 

Tree of life

An interwoven tapestry of Indian motifs painted to express that all of life is connected. 

Acrylic on Canvas, 36'' x 48''
Artist : Mithu Basu.

I'm high on 'Highway'

To me a movie is all about story telling. Nothing more nothing less. Technology, stars, budgets, strategy's are all handmaidens to the story, precisely speaking - to how the story is told . Highway is simply the journey of a kidnapper and the kidnapped. but Director Imtiaz Ali turns it into an experience. Unknowingly you become a co- traveler journeying the highway together. What I found unique is that my emotions compassionately empathized with both, Alia Bhatt the kidnapped and Randeep Hooda the Kidnapper.

Two actors who made me believe that they weren't acting. They had got under the skin of Veera Tripathi and Mahabir Bhati. When a Director is bullseye focussed he finds his characters - actors, who leave themselves behind to become the clay muse for the Director to mould.. Alia's innocence, Randeep's 'beaten by life' ruggedness and the humane essence that lies within all of us, unfold transparent on celluloid. 

There are moments that you just want to hold on to "Alia's spontaneous outburst of dance, Randeep's inner turmoil and the riot of anguished emotions when Alia's beckons him into the dream home that they had found in the mountains. There are many such unforgettable moments on the highway journey and in the parallel child abuse undercurrents that run through the firmament of the film.

The music score by AR Rehman, Alia's song in her own voice embellish the story with purity. The snow capped mountains, cascading rivers, salt blown locales, untraveled mountain paths were caressed by the lingering, indulgent camera lens, allowing our eyes to drink in some more of the bewitching landscapes. If a film is all about team every player was committed to excellence. I heard some cinegoers say it was a tad bit slow and here I was so happy that it wasn't rushed. There may have been some glitches but my eyes were misty and I was high on Highway. Imtiaz Ali all strength to you to make the kind of movies you make right from your debut 'Socha na tha' I have loved them all. Saw it on the opening night yesterday and going back to see it again tomorrow. Greedy me.

Are my raves for Highway heightened because I went straight thereafter to see Hasee toh Phasee? Just a thought!

Emotions by nature

My niece Nikita Das fills my home with joy. 

Her visit spilled my happiness onto this canvas I painted. 

(Acrylic on canvas, 24 x 36 inches)