Face Off with Udayraj Gadnis

* An angry young man, eh?

Actually, he would have fit the image perfectly 10 years ago. "There was a time when I was literally full of myself. Young and handsome, I was used to getting away with whatever I wanted," says he. "But destiny sits at the fences quietly watching."

* So when did destiny decide to turn the tables on him?

Well, about eight years ago while Uday was working in the HRD division of the Taj and was in for a promotion, he decided to give it up for the paintbrush.

* And paint huge canvases of tantrik art?

It suited his sensibility too. A trained psychologist, he found himself turning "inwards". This newfound shanti was accompanied by a growing awareness of the shastras as well. "I am an artist of unsurpassed lucidity who chooses only the mystical, lyrical, spiritual and the sensuous, all of which are subtle symbols of the tantra." He is as prolific as he is wordy and verbose. Gadnis has over 600 canvases to his credit till date.

* But Udayraj’s high opinion of himself is not shared by many in the art world. And it is widely held that he is too arrogant to give a damn. Apparently, he doesn’t think much of established icons in the field of art either, right?

Except for one. Raza. Who inaugurated his last show at the YB Chavan Gallery earlier this year. "We met at the Jehangir Art Gallery for the first time. Neither of us spoke for a while. But it was as if we have always known one another. It was a scene right out of the The X Files. He is my guru, he has taught me to observe ." So, he admits he needs to learn!

* But what exactly irks him about old established masters?

It began seven years ago when one of the galleries refused to display his works, calling them as expressions from the stone age.

"Then perhaps we must look back to the stone age and get real. Rather than painting a triangular form flanked by an abstract line and some blotches of colour to sell it as high art," says he.

"It is time the old bearded master realised that you cannot take the public for granted by painting a woman’s face or her base." So, either it’s art Udayraj’s way or it’s trash? Why can’t he agree to disagree?

* Well, perhaps because he likes to be in the limelight. And he’s back in focus — this time not for raking up controversy — but for more commercial reasons.

He is one of the 10 artists from India who have been chosen by Inter Gold Gems Ltd to design their spiritual and tantrik signature jewellery. Such forms as the Shivlingam, yoni, trishula, and 108 other symbols form part of the series. "Gold is the most appropriate offering to divinity. So, it is only appropriate that the bejewelled symbols should adorn women," he says. A fine explanation for selling out. But then who can resist the lure of the lucre?

* Having lent his art to several corporate houses as well, what next? A range of clothes,s or a dedication to a film actress

"That’s it for me."

* What does that mean?

"I have been initiated into sanyas earlier this year. The year 2,000 has been picked out as a suitable time for me, when I shall retreat into my cave house in old Goa and live like a sanyasi."

* An end of his career in painting as well?

"But how can that be? I shall continue to do my tapa. Art is tapasya for me and I shall continue to express myself such."

* But living like a sadhu?

"Even there I am likely to shock puritans. I am not out to cut myself off from the world around me. I shall only retreat from the material world around me."

* Having contemplated retirement, is he also trying to convey something to his critics?

"Yes. That each generation has its own way of voicing protest.The time has come for a new encounter for certain masters. My arrival pronounces dissolution, devastation and destruction.

* And what is this studied maverick artist most likely to say?

"You are welcome to my abode in Goa."

* Least likely to say?

"Some coffee, Husain saab?