Jatin Das, S H Raza to display works in Jaipur

JAIPUR: This year, the Jaipur Literature Festival promises to be more than just books, authors and music. Though the festival has patronised the city for the last six years, this is for the first time that two celebrated artists, Jatin Das and Syed Haider Raza, invited by the Jaipur Literature Festival 2011, are going to exhibit their works in Jaipur.
Though Das is coming to the city for the first time with his works, this is an encore for Raza. "I am extremely excited as this is for the first time in 52 years that I am getting my works to Jaipur from Mumbai. The Jaipur Literature Festival is a great feat of art and culture and I look forward to exhibiting my works during that period," said Das from New Delhi.
For that, two large galleries at Jawahar Kala Kendra have been booked where, starting January 20, over 200 pieces of art will be exhibited for nearly a month.
"This is going to be my largest show of oil and water co-sponsored by Art and Soul from Mumbai," said Das, who till now has held 50 solo exhibitions in India and abroad.
"Jatin Das is at his artistic best depicting man-woman relationships. His human forms have a vibrant energy and an abundance of emotions. This would be a great opportunity for Jaipur to witness his works and we will provide all our support," said H S Meena, director general, JKK.
Works of master painter Syed Haider Raza, who has recently returned to India after spending nearly six decades in France, will be exhibited at the Jaimahal Palace on January 24 and 25.
"Rajasthan holds a special place in my heart because my first drawing teacher was from here. I'm happy to show my work in cities like Jaipur rather than London or New York," said Raza.
This solo show is sponsored by Akar Prakar and city-based Jaimahal Palace Hotel. "The show will be presented as an outreach event of the literary festival where Ashok Vajpeyi will be in conversation with Raza to discuss the latter's works from an artist's and poet's points of view," said a source.
"It is an honour for any gallery in India or overseas to host a solo show by S H Raza and we are happy to showcase his works for a second time in the city. I hope that art lovers and participants of the literature festival will take this opportunity to view his works and meet the artist in person during his visit to Jaipur" said Abhijit Lath, director, Akar Prakar, Kolkata.