Narendra Rai Srivastav, Artist and Poet born in Hyderabad,
Obtained diploma in painting from Sri. J.J. School of Arts, Mumbai,
Higher D.M.T.T.C. from J.N.T.U. College of Fine Arts, Hyderabad.
Participated in several major All India Art Exhibition and National
Exhibition of Arts at New Delhi, Life Member, Hyderabad Art Society
Attended painting camp at Hyderabad in 1979. Graphic Camp of Chennai,
in 1979 and 1980. Painting Camp at Yercaud, Tamilnadu in 1981.
Painting Camp at Hospet in 1976. Participated in Graphic Workshop
of Mr. Poul Lingren in 1984. Artist Camp at J.N.T.U. Hyderabad
1994.At Kalabhavan, Hyderabad 1995. All India Artists camp organized
by Sri Venkateswara College of Fine Arts, Hyderabad. 1999 Mangalore,
2000 Madhapur, Hyderabad Art Society 2003. Artist camp AIFACS
in New Delhi, 2003 AWARDS:
From Academy of Fine Arts, Calcutta in 1973. Andhra Pradesh Academy
of Arts in 1965,68 and 70. Chitra Kala Parishad in 1966,67 and
70 A.P. Lalit Kala Academy in 1964, 71, 73,75, 76, 78 and 83,
Hyderabad Art Society in 1977 and 78 Damerla Rama Rao Art Gallery
Rajahmundry in 1969. Lalit Kala Samithi in 65. All India Miniature
Biennale in 75 and 80. Received Gold Medals from the Hyderabad
Art Society in 1972, Bharat Kala Parishad in 1969. From Andhra
Pradesh Lalit Kala Academy in 1982 and National Award in 1965.
ONE MAN AND GROUP EXHIBITION :
Held one man shows at Hyderabad in 1965,66,80 and 1995 (On nature),
1997 (Prakruthi), in 1986 at Bombay. Group Exhibitions at Hyderabad
in 1970,78,80,83 and 1996,97,98 and 1999. At New Delhi in 1968.
At Bombay in 1979. In the Exhibition of "Andhra Art"
from India, held in U.S.A. in 1976, 2nd Biennale Hawana (Cuba)
1986 and Japan 1991. Group Show 2003 Delhi. Solo 2002, Hyderabad
2005 (Mumbai).
COLLECTIONS:
Government Museums, Academies Private and Public Collections in
India and abroad.
LITERARY ACTIVITIES:
Participated in several All India Level Kavi Sammelan also Felicitated
by a number of literary and other organisations. YUDHVEER FOUNDATION
AWARD - 2004, Sri Mahaveer Vishva Sadbhavna Award 2001.
PUBLISHED BOOK
1. ANDHERON KE KHILAF: Awarded by Vinakrao Vidyalankar Rastrothan
Sahitya Samithi in 1991.
2. KUHASE Kl DHOOP: (Anurag Prakashan)
3. REKHANKIT REKHAYEN
4.CHOWPAL (Hasya Vyanga Poems of four poets) Asmita Prakashan
5. NEOCHHAWAR: (Nirdosh Prakashan)
6. KRANTHIKARI (Bala Kavithayen) in Daily Hindi Milap
7. APDIKITUPDI (Bala Kavithayen)
8. EHASASON KE SAYE - 2004 (Muktak)
Studio :
Art Master Keshav Memorial Boys' High School Narayanaguda, Hyd
- 29.
Cell: 98492 36569 Residence : 20-1-566/3, Gollakhidki, Hyd - 264.
Ph ; 24521246.
Narendra Rai Srivastav
Narendra Rai Srivastav, the artist-poet, came to the notice of
Hyderabadi art lovers in the early 60's. Incidentally, by this
time several factors had impacted a major shake-up in the political,
social and cultural aspects of our country affecting the perceptions
and sensibilities of the young generation of artists. Naturally
the local painters also began a identity. Narendra Rai was one
among these painters and he showed promise with his distinct idiom
and theme of works. Being a poet and with his emphasis for meticuluous
workmanship and perfect use of technique his paintings, even in
the early stages, displayed overall lyricism, sensitive use of
art material and careful attention to detail. The poet in him
gave a different type of incentive to his creative urge in the
field of painting. The lyrical quality and rhythm, so evident
in his paintings, are due to his literary instinct. As a poet,
he always explores new themes and new images in his poetry, and
as a painter he constantly endeavors to follow the same ideals
in his works.
During the last forty years he has chiefly produced paintings
as a series of a particular theme. Begining with Amaru-Shataka
(hundred romantic poems by Amaru), Punjab, athelets, Ganesh, Prakruti,
the world of animals and birds, Aakar, and Shringara Rasa the
theme of his recent works. While the 'athletes' series displayed
the rhythmic body-play of human beings; the Ganesh series portrayed
different forms of this universally adored deity in a miniature
format. Prakruti Series (1977), which consists of landscapes with
rocks, in notable for the poetic mood of the works. The rocks,
which formed a major part of these compositions, may be seen all
around the city of Hyderabd.The rock-formations in these works
are not painted naturalistically, but they are shown in their
much abstracted simplified forms; perhaps Narendra's poetic-vision
visualized them as if they exist in his dream-world. In this group
of works the colour-scheme is bright in some works, while it is
mellowed in others; this is done according to the mood Narendra
wanted to create in the viewers. In them, the oil colours are
ingeniously applied on canvas, like watercolorwash. There is minimal
use of trees, shrubs or any other object. In all of them we can
see his distinct style of expressing atmospheric perspective.
In effect, they emphatically express, like a poet, a mystic vision
which we see in some landscapes by great Chinese painters. Both
in the imaginative application of colour and the resultant texture,
the Prakruti series of paintings, touch the aesthetic chords of
the viewers.
The series of works entitled Aakar, with "Tantrik-paintings-like1
compositions is characterized by their simple patterns and symbolically
used colour-scheme.
The Shringara Rasa series, executed in oils, has been painted
with great abandon and refinement. It expresses the sensitive
nuances of this theme wherein there is immense possibility of
portraying various situations and moods of love. Being a mature
poet and painter. Narendra Rai has used the picture-space by symbolically
dividing its colour-areas against which the figures, drawn in
simple form, wearing elegant costumes and adornment, stand out.
It is notable that Indian paintings and sculptures, with Shringara
Rasa as their theme, are artistic expressions of our country's
romantic emotions. For centuries, this theme has been a favourite
of the painters, sculptors and their patrons in all regions of
India. The many mods of the Nayika or the heroine, and the Nayaka
or the hero have been described with imagination and feeling in
Indian romantic literature and has enriched the visual arts. In
all styles of Indian miniature painting Shringara Rasa has formed
essence of the series of paintings depicting the Ragamala (Garlands
of Music) and Barahmasa (Twelve months). And for ages, Indian
sculptors have created remarkable works on temple exteriors and
have produced free-standing works in stone, wood, ivory and terracotta.
No other country has used this genre with comparable quantity
and quality.
It gives me pleasure to express my admiration for Narendra Rai's
multifaceted and colourful personality featured illustrating his
pictorial creative oeuvre.
- Padmashri Jagdish Mittal