Branching Out

For Muktinath Mondal’s work titled Lakshman Rekha — a circular canvas of oil painting showcasing greenery,surrounded by a thorn fence — he drew inspiration from popular beliefs and the epic Ramayana. “Back in my village in West Bengal,vegetable gardens are protected by thorn fences. Similarly,in Ramayana,Laskman drew a lakshman rekha to protect Sita,” says the Baroda-based artist,who merged these two ideas to convey the message of protecting the green cover that is slowly depleting. The work is among the 13 on display as part of an exhibition titled “The Secret Life of Plants”. The show features 13 artists from India,China and Iran . Through paintings,photographs,sculptures,video installations and mixed media,these artists have explored various ideas,using plants as metaphors.

The exhibition is on at Exhibit 320,Lado Sarai,till September 31. Contact: 46130637