Glimpses of Divine Art

Just living in the moment,
moment to moment,
is an experiencing
of a high peaked state
of relaxed awareness.
– Osho

Living in the moment and with total commitment to her art, Pratiksha Apurv’s paintings are a confluence of subtle concepts of mysticism, vibrancy of colour and intricate design, all drawn from the meditative influence of the great mystic Osho. “My paintings have been influenced by Osho’s discourses and I constantly endeavour to give a pictorial interpretation to his teachings,” avers this disciple of Osho, who incidentally is also his niece.

Initiated to the teachings of her uncle at the tender age of 11 when she went to stay at his ashram in Pune, Pratiksha was the first in the family to take ‘sannyas’. “When you meditate it brings you such a sense of peace and satisfaction and this in turn allows you to concentrate in all totality to the tasks in hand, whatever it may be. Even now, I do the Kundalini meditation every day. Every painting of mine is a result of what I have experienced on my own body and then translated on to canvas, “explains this Delhi based artist. Devoted to spreading her master’s work and vision, Pratiksha explains that each of her paintings is encapsulated with a concise message.

“The Sound of Silence contains ‘Om mani padme hum’ 1100 times. Beyond Senses reflects on the self when you cut off from the whole world and connect with your third eye; the whirling mediation of Sufism is portrayed in Celebration in Silence; Totality speaks for devoting one’s self totally to one’s tasks, without looking for gain,” she says elucidating the contents of few paintings among the 10 which will be on display at the forthcoming ‘Soul of Asia’ art exhibition at the 44th International Film Festival of India (IFFI). Coincidentally, the festival will also showcase a documentary on Osho – ‘Master of Masters’.

The strength of the paintings she points out is not only their technical execution, but in the mystical transference that occurs to the perceptive person who views these pictorial interpretations of Osho’s teachings. “People who have bought my paintings often say that is has brought about a visible change in their lives,” reveals Pratiksha. With unwavering devotion, inner centring and clarity of understanding and innate talent, Pratiksha’s art has indeed borne fruit in stunning visuals, despite the lack of any formal training.

“I have had no technical training either as a designer or as a painter,” confesses this eminent designer turned painter. “As a designer I learnt from the masters and improved upon it,” she admits.

Fashion designing was a prelude to her painting career, one that met with equal amount of success. With clientele comprising India’s who’s-who, Pratiksha’s ethnic and semi-western designs have dressed the likes of former Prime Minister, Atal Behari Vajpayee, film star Vinod Khanna, music maestro Amjad Ali Khan and a host of other celebrities. Caught up in the competitive commercial whirlpool, however, Pratiksha drew very little satisfaction from this career.

“It was too much of an outer journey for outer richness. Painting is for my self. I feel contended with this medium of expression. I never tire of painting. In fact, I feel something is amiss, if I do not paint for a day. Monetary gains are only secondary or not relevant at all,” she declares, while expressing gratitude to her husband Swami Anand Apurv for his unstinted support.

Switching to art in 2003, Pratiksha held her first solo show in February 2007. Bolstered by the success, she went on to hold another 10 solo shows across the country including Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Chennai, Ahmadabad, Chandigarh and Baroda. Although her works have made it to private homes in Italy, Greece and others, the IFFI showing will be her first international exhibition. Her paintings have also been selected for India’s most prominent National Award by Lalit Kala Akademi for three consecutive – 52nd, 53rd and 54th – National Exhibitions. Some of her paintings were also featured in renowned author Vikram Chopra’s magnum opus ‘Shakespeare: The Indian Icon’.

Now as she prepares to showcase her work at the forthcoming art exhibition at IFFI, she is elated and honoured that none other than luminous Hollywood personality Susan Sarandon will be inaugurating the show. “It’s a matter of pride,” she enthuses.

The ultimate contentment for the Osho disciple is derived from living in the moment and living it in totality, while evolving as an artist.

(Pratiksha Apurv’s paintings will be inaugurated on November 21, 2013 at 11am at Inox Theatre and will be on display up to November 30)

Herald, Goa

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