The need for peace – celebrating peace through the works of Sasikrishnan

Peace, this undeniably precious element of life that has had various connotations for man finds special audience on 21 Sept 2012, the International Day of Peace. With entire communities and countries coming together to celebrate the cause and its indisputable place in our lives, peace plays protagonist. “The need for peace has been ingrained into man’s psyche but ironically peace remains obscure and at times utopian. Modern man lives literally in a sea of technological advancements that have filled his life with material comforts.

However, peace seems to evade man constantly. But look around at nature – clouds that unite seamlessly, rivers that flow playfully, butterflies that flit fearlessly and birds that sing unabashedly are all inherently at peace. The world grapples in the throes of unrest, struggles to negotiate harmony.” These are the words of renowned Indian Artist Sasikrishnan whose works are themselves a study in peace; what better time can there be, than now, to unveil The Soul of Peace a spectacular painting by the master painter. This momentous piece in acrylic with a female form hands outstretched into the clouds, surrounded by birds and butterflies is Peace in a nutshell.

The blue at the base is a river that symbolizes free will and the corrugated circuit lines within signify material advancement. The butterflies, birds and clouds are all embodiments of the same free will. The human hands wrapping around the clouds overhead represent man’s ambition and perhaps also his desire to return to peaceful nature. The Soul of Peace dramatically dissolves the elusiveness surrounding peace but what is even more beautiful is that it pulls the curtain down on the esoteric nature bound to contemporary art. This unparalleled ability to throw bare to a million viewing eyes and minds, the most complex and ambiguous of ideas, is truly the hallmark of ace painter Sasikrishnan, whose works have been extensively exhibited in Kuwait. Our story takes birth in a little village in India in Vadagara, where the world famous Indian orator and diplomat V K Krishna Menon has roots. Years later the scenic town finds itself on the world map once again and this time around it is art.

Born to social worker parents in Vadagara in 1966, Sasikrishnan found his life’s calling at a very tender age. He was raised unexposed to the international art scenario but mysteriously enough his earliest works spoke the language of the competitive world of global contemporary art. Did one know then that his canvasses were to adorn corporate halls and international galleries? The journey that commenced from a tiny hamlet to some of the most consequential vistas of the artistic world was dotted with pain and perseverance. With more than 1,000 canvasses bearing his signature Sasi has grown to be one of the most promising artists of modern India whose works have redefined artistic boundaries and set new benchmarks of both expression and appreciation. His masterly strokes are flashes of his genius coupled with extraordinary talent.

For Sasi each painting is an evolutionary process that involves inner reflection, keen observation, clear thoughts and finally crisp manifestation. In short, for him, every painting is a sublime living experience almost like a communication with the divine quite beyond the magic created on canvas using colours, images and themes. Most art forms resonate with life for life is a reservoir of undying inspiration. Undoubtedly there is no greater muse than life and no dearth of artistic stimulus in this universe. However, what is scarce is artistic genius that adeptly gives form to such inspiration. Close observation of Sasi’s works reveal distortion of form yet intense portrayal of ideas, refined thoughts and imagination through specialized techniques and approach towards the concept. An artist does more than graphical reproduction of life – Sasi’s works that are a reflection of his brilliant mind that is constantly endeavoring to find the meaning and essence of life prove this to the fullest.

The world of art is in a constant state of flux. Lines that dart aimlessly into the canvas and nebulous structures that burst into a riot of colors without purpose are some of the faces of modern art. However, Sasikrishnan is an artistic icon who establishes through his works that speak for themselves that an artist is not an odd worker whose mission lies merely in the creation of unfathomable and queer pieces of art. On the contrary, bridging the gap between the abstract and the real, the layman and the artist, giving life to fragmented thoughts and feelings and ultimately portraying what has never been said before are some of the hallowed responsibilities that lie in the nimble and dexterous hands of a seasoned artist like him. Having worked his way up through exasperating situations, Sasi’s art is often a commentary of life’s trying moments. Painting in the language of love, his works invoke inner peace however painful be the subject.

They instantly transport the viewer to the world he creates through his strokes. Perhaps this is why it is so easy for his audience to relate to his works that help them come to terms with the idiosyncrasies of their own life. The words of R W Emerson explain this phenomenon, “In every work of genius, we recognize our own rejected thoughts; they come back to us with a certain alienated majesty”. While being a celebrated painter Sasikrishnan’s magical hands have over the years created sculptures that talk, smile, breathe and also appear to feel! Skillful imparting of life to the abstract is what he seems to constantly articulate through his paintings, sculptures and the internationally acclaimed short movies and documentaries art directed by him. Is it possible ever to bind the naughty wind within man made shackles? Likewise it is impossible to cage a genius within the fetters of a mundane life or even the yardsticks that measure artistic success.

Sasi is a rare artist, whose creative energy travels from one form of art to another, experimenting, unraveling the mysteries therein, in search of fulfillment. As a painter, sculptor, writer, art director, teacher, poet, orator, cartoonist and theatre person, he has epitomized the concept of the multifaceted individual by graciously handling so many differentrolesequally successfully. However, ask him what is closest to his heart and pat comes the reply that it is his profession as a teacher which gives him the opportunity to intermingle with young minds for they are intrinsically creative and inspiring. He is an academician who has over the past two decades trained and inspired thousands of students onto the path of professional art. The father of two young boys, married to a sprightly mathematician Beena Krishnaa who has not only designed his website www.sasikrishnan.com which carries numerous paintings on peace, but more importantly been his pillar of support over the many trying years helping him achieve colossal success in his professional life. Indeed behind every successful man is an utterly supportive family. Today as the world celebrates the International Day of Peace, this irresistibly charming painter prepares to exhibit his work Height of Relaxation at the ANOKHII exhibition on 24 Sept 2012 in India.

At this point it is of particular interest to talk about the Philaesthoism movement of art founded by this prodigious artist. Love and beauty are the two essential condiments that impart peace in human relations. Perhaps no one understands this better than Sasikrishnan who gave form to this movement with the aim to educate the world about the importance of finding peace through art that laying accent on the portrayal of human relations through love and beauty beyond a physical realm. To a world that is in search of peace, this remainsthe greatest contribution of this artist who strongly believes that it is important predominantly for every living entity of this universe to find peace within if the world must enjoy long lasting peace, for this universe is a macrocosm and its inhabitants microcosms!

By James B.

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