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