11 artists, 1 god: all-women art exhibition celebrates the divine in the human experience

By Chanda Bisht

Women of all ages and inclinations have reason to love Krishna, one of the most revered deities in Hinduism. Girls see him as a trusted best friend; women find his knowing gaze irresistible and seek his protection; and mothers long to hold the baby Gopal in their arms. And depending on the region of India, the love of Krishna takes on various artforms and artist traditions.  

In Rajasthan, the love of Krishna is manifest in the art of Pichhwai painting, which depicts him as a seven-year-old child Shrinathji in the characteristic colour blue. With the festival of Janmashtami — the birthday of Lord Krishna — falling in August, a unique art exhibition by 11 women artists in New Delhi this month celebrated not just the Hindu god but also the love of the divine in all its forms.

Curated by senior artist Ekta Jain, the show called ‘Atmnsaar 2.0’ was the second in a series by Jain’s women mentees at her Artbeat Creative Academy in Delhi. Held at India Habitat Centre at Lodhi Road this August, the work was based on the theme of ‘conversation between the souls’.

“When Krishna is there, the breeze of hope touches everybody,” says Jain.

Evocative of the spiritual aspect of Indian culture, the group exhibition celebrated divinity as a lived experience – from the whirling of the Sufi mystics, to the ghungroo on Mira’s feet as she danced in her crazed love for Krishna, to the prayer wheels of Buddhist monasteries.

The highlight of the exhibit was a series of Shrinathji paintings, with each artist depicting the young god in her own unique way.

Pichhwai art, a traditional Indian painting style from Rajasthan, is a vivid tapestry of devotion. Originating over 400 years ago in the holy town of Nathdwara, this art form was born to serve as a divine backdrop, framing the idol of Shrinathji within temple walls. These intricate masterpieces, once painted on cloth, are now brought to life on mediums like paper, canvas, and silk, continuing the tradition in new forms.

For Ekta Jain, a contemporary artist and an art teacher, art is a way to express truth, desires and fears. In her acrylic painting (60 x 36 inches) of Shrinathji, she says she “parades her devotion towards the divine power”.  

Her painting captures a serene, divine scene with Shrinathji depicted in traditional attire, standing on a lotus flower. The background is an ethereal blend of blues and greens, suggesting a heavenly or tranquil environment, with the Yamuna River and mountains in the distance symbolising a sense of calm and joy.

“Lotuses symbolise purity and spiritual enlightenment,” says Jain, adding, “The juxtaposition of the abstract background with the detailed portrayal of Krishna and the natural elements suggests a connection between the divine and the earthly, between the spiritual journey and the natural world, taking one to a meditative state.”

Nidhi Agarwal’s Pichhwai art (40 x 30 inches) captures the essence of compassion and the mystical power embodied in the playful leelas of Lord Shrinathji, held delicately in his tiny fingers. In the painting, the young god stands gracefully at the centre, radiating divine serenity. Adorned in intricate garments, he is encircled by a loving herd of cows on both sides, their gentle eyes filled with affection and tenderness as they gaze upon him.

“The pink lotuses signify purity and surrender at god’s feet. The cows looking up to him signify my eternal love for the divine, and the use of gold is meant to enhance the spiritual and opulent essence of the artwork,” explains Agarwal.

Another awe-inspiring artwork (24 x 24 inches) by Shuchi Jain represents the night sky filled with stars glittering majestically with Shrinathji standing firmly on the left side of the canvas. The lavish greenery of India and towering mountains in the background underscore the majestic Govardhan Hill, portraying the landscape with a vivid sense of connection to the divine story.

Ekta Tandon’s painting (24 x 36 inches) portrays Shrinathji at the centre, poised gracefully on a blooming lotus that symbolises purity and spiritual elevation. The backdrop, which resembles the entrance of a temple, captures the profound emotion of faith that surrounds Shrinathji, making the piece a mesmerising tribute to devotion.

Another portrait of tranquillity by Ruchira Chandra (36 x 24 inches) is a harmony of faith with its elegant midnight blue backdrop, beautifully complemented by lovely lotus flowers. The delicate details of Shrinathji’s garment and the shimmering ornaments add to the aura of majesty and reverence, inviting the viewer into a profound connection with the divine presence.

An artwork (48 x 36 inches) of Shrinathji by artist Aparna Mehra is a celebration of joy and devotion towards the deity. The Pichhwai art captures the emotions of hope and serenity with a lush background, alive with blooming lotus flowers and graceful birds, weaving a tapestry of peace and reverence.

“When I painted Shrinathji, I felt pure, serene. I sensed happiness around me. The feeling was out of this world, so beautiful, as if I was in heaven and disconnected from everything else,” says Mehra of the process of creating this piece.

This remarkable exhibition showcases the essence of the divine in various forms through the eyes of female artists. Every artwork in this collection is a testament to the depth of devotion, the love and faith towards Lord Krishna that is woven into the fabric of India, and the artistic potential of collective female energy.

‘Atmnsaar 2.0’ group exhibition artists: Ekta Jain (curator), Aparna Mehra, Ekta Tandon, Mamta Gupta, Nidhi Agarwal, Priya Gupta, Ruchira Chandra, Shuchi Jain, Simran Salwan, Surbhi Nijhawan, Veena Vaish