Dhoomimal Art Centre, one of India’s first private gallery, announces its upcoming exhibition, Myths and Memories, a compelling showcase featuring the works of Tanushree Chakraborty and Shahid Parvez. Exploring the intersection of traditional folk influencers and contemporary artistic expression, the 6-day exhibition opens to the public on April 12 at LTC, Bikaner House, and will be accessible till April 17. During this period, it aims to offer a striking visual dialogue between two distinct yet complementary styles as it beautifully merges the artistic sensibilities of the East and West.
Established in 1936, the Art Centre presents pieces from Tanushree Chakraborty that draw inspiration from the rich heritage of the Santhal Tribe in Bengal, while Shahid Parvez brings to life the tribal and folk arts of Rajasthan. This has been achieved by employing intricate layering and detailing techniques that weave their life stories into their canvases to create works of profound depth and meaning.
speaking on the collection, Shahid Parvez mentioned, “I am truly delighted to present our two-person artwork display, as it holds a special significance for me. Dhoomimal Art Centre has been an integral part of my artistic journey, providing a platform that has nurtured and supported my growth over the years. This showcase is not just an exhibition but a reflection of the creative dialogue and shared vision that has shaped my work. I am excited for art enthusiasts to experience this collection, which brings together distinct yet harmonious artistic expressions.”
Shahid’s works are playful and uninhibited. His layers are not of history but of memories, age, and experience, approached with a child’s imagination—boundless and free. He paints without a fixed plan, allowing the canvas to guide him. His works celebrate spontaneity and joy, revealing the unseen layers that shape human existence. While his themes may seem lighthearted, they hold depth—his use of mixed media, textures, and colours mirrors the complexity of life itself. His art invites us to shed our intellectual masks and approach them with innocence, tapping into the child within us.
In contrast, Tanushree’s work is rooted in history and myth, deeply influenced by her childhood immersed in the stories of the Santhal tribe. She draws inspiration from the Santhal body art tradition, Ulki, where tattoos preserve ancestral history on the skin. Similarly, her canvases become vessels of intricate detailing and mythological storytelling. The concept of Atrinjita—where human history unfolds in grand, exaggerated gestures—runs through her work. She seamlessly blends the traditional with the contemporary, reimagining gods and myths in present-day settings, bridging past and present.
Further commenting on this showcase, Tanushree Chakraborty said, “I believe art is a reflection of an artist’s imagination and aspirations. For me, the ability to give meaning to a line through art brings immense joy and fulfilment. I am deeply grateful to Dhoomimal Art Centre for providing a space that nurtures my creativity, and I look forward to sharing that same sense of freedom and joy with others through my art.”
Elaborating on the exhibit, Mohit Jain, Director of Dhoomimal Art Centre said, “At Dhoomimal Art Centre, we celebrate art that blends cultural roots with personal expression. This exhibition does just that as both artists draw inspiration from Indian folk traditions, yet their approaches contrast beautifully. We look forward to sharing this unique showcase with our audiences.”
What makes Myths & Memories especially compelling is how these two artists, drawing from similar sources of inspiration, have arrived at strikingly different visual languages. While Tanushree transforms the human body into a narrative vessel, Shahid weaves childhood wonder into sophisticated, layered compositions. Their works, together, create a dialogue between tradition and contemporary practice, past and present, myth and reality.
Through this display, Dhoomimal Art Centre aims to invite art enthusiasts and collectors to experience and immerse themselves in the evocative narratives of these two remarkable artists.
