BANARAS DIARY

Cultural & Historical Impact

Anil Sharma pens a daily chronicle, Banaras Diary. His writing style is distinctive watercolours that eloquently weave vivid imagery through words. It's as though Banaras unfolds a fresh narrative with

every dawn. He has mastered the watercolour medium, where each brushstroke and hue speak volumes about the sacred and timeless soul of the city. Banaras, in all its spiritual grandeur, holds the belief that no one can achieve salvation without experiencing its essence. For years, perhaps, he has been capturing this essence in his diary. The winding alleys and ancient structures stand as living testaments to the richness of Indian culture. The ghats of Banaras an eternal muse for artists have already filled countless pages of his diary.

Of all the artistic disciplines, few are as demanding as watercolour. To master this medium is to command a mastery over other forms of art. The watercolour medium emphasizes the interplay of time and skill, each moment of creation an intricate balance. He has carved a distinguished niche in the art world, thanks to his profound expertise in this technique. His landscapes and portraiture delicately executed in watercolour captivate viewers with an unmatched depth and allure.

He, who began his artistic journey through cinema posters and banners, pursued his BFA and MFA in painting at Banaras Hindu University. Even today, his daily artistic practice remains centered

around two popular subjects among the masses landscapes and portraiture. For him, abstract painting is like the realization of his dreams. His transition from realistic representation to abstract forms stems

from a desire to transcend the boundaries of shapes and colours, to explore a space where neither colour nor form is constrained. However, despite this exploration, he maintains the highest standards of artistic discipline, ensuring that the depth and gravity of the forms in his work remain unchanged. In his paintings, the profound richness of Indian culture and the sanctity of the religious city of Banaras are vividly present, unrestricted and free-flowing. It is rare to encounter an artist who simultaneously experiments with two distinct styles and yet he does so with remarkable finesse. I have had the privilege of closely observing his work, having been an admirer of his art for years.

He rightly pointed out that to transcend the boundaries of reality, one must turn toward abstraction. This idea is clearly confirmed in his painting “Mysterious Mood of Nature”. The colours of the distant horizon and the surrounding objects, bathed in imaginary hues, captivate the viewer's gaze.

In the central space some vacant areas are filled with the warm glow of sodium lights. The trees and shrubs behind the building, drenched in their imaginary colours, create a mesmerizing visual effect. The beautiful combination of colours, along with the abstract rendering, casts a spell on the viewer, drawing them into a world of creative illusion.

The painting "Banaras Ghats" in the realistic style creates a unique image of Banaras, seamlessly blending the culture, temples and other buildings along the banks of the Ganges. The view of the Ganga ghat from the opposite shore with a boat gliding across, is nothing short of unforgettable. In this artwork, the beauty of his brushstrokes is unparalleled. The interplay of vibrant buildings, balanced with the white smoke rising against the backdrop of the sky and the river, adds an ethereal touch to the scene.

On ordinary days in Banaras, throngs of pilgrims visit the AssiGhat throughout the day and night to witness the divine sight of the Ganges. The painting "DashashwamedhChauraha" was created by Anil Sharma in the early morning hours. Yet, even at that time, the bustling energy of the crossroads

is palpable, with devotees either heading to or returning from the Ganga Aarti. In the painting "Nepali Temple", the surreal ambiance is accentuated, as it seems the Ganga merges with the sky, creating a

mystical connection. He reflects, "While residing in Bahrain, the constant yearning for my homeland became an intrinsic part of my patriotism. Yet, continuing to depict the essence of Indian culture through my art on foreign soil was my way of remaining connected to my roots."

Their eagerness to document Banarasi culture has been highlighted by eminent personalities from Banaras and across the country. To make this event a memorable moment, the Hina Bhatt Art Foundation has organized their solo exhibition titled 'Moods of the Soul' at the INTACH Cultural Centre, Varanasi, from June 15th to 22nd. It is hoped that art lovers will enjoy this opportunity.

- Ram Prawesh Paul

- Artist & Art Writer