Calendar artist J P Singhal has now entered a new season of his life. He recently held his first solo exhibition of 250 paintings that wowed the audiences. The exhibits which include his paintings on Ajanta and Ellora, adivasis and rural India and contemporary art,u00a0 were a contrast to his former work. He talks to CS about what keeps him going and his love for the nature.

Date with reality

I was a very famous calendar artist in the mid-60s. Even when I was working on my calendars, I used to paint rural India. I then realised that I wasn't just painting for the sake of it, but that I was drawing a civilisation which would soon be extinct because of modernisation. Unfortunately, we have lost the essence of our tribal population which is actually the cultural heritage of our country. So I have made an attempt to immortalise whatever little is left of it.



Straight from the art

I believe that a single powerful stroke of an artist is enough to express his feelings, emotions, and expressions. Then there is no need for further explanation. Even in my paintings, you will see the use of natural colour or rather texture. I have painted the tribals as they are: their outfit are as muddy as they are in real life. According to me, this is the one thing that distinguishes my works.

Caving in

It is the Britishers who made us familiar to the beauty of Ajanta and Ellora. Now the state of those caves is really bad. We Indians have not only abused the beauty of the caves but also led it to destruction. I want the youth to strive towards protecting out bautiful monuments so that the generations to come can also cherish them.

Picture perfect

I have used pencil and acrylic colour or multi-media colour. I am happy that the finishing has turned out to be great. I am very true and sincere to my work. Once when Bal Saheb Thackery saw my paintings he asked me whether I painted my photographs, because my work looked so real.

It is always great to get such compliments from people who think my work is perfect and well finished. Through my work, I want to urge the youth and encourage them to protect nature and tradition.