A brush with the Lord. The strokes are dark, the detailing highlighted by use of precious metals such as gold and diamonds. Yet the expressions are human and convey love, warmth, affection, frolic and mischief. This rare art of gold paintings will be on display at Nehru Centre, Mumbai from November 2-6.
Krishna paintings have given the family name Kanhai to Krishn and Govind, the second generation to continue with the art. Their father, Kanhai Chitrakar, revived this school of painting which waned during the British era, and began painting the Lord in 24 carat gold ? a form of lustrous, iconic three-dimensional paintings.
?Painting the Lord is a culmination of the books that we read ranging from The Gita, Sreemad Bhagavat, and other scriptures,? says Govind. ?After we read a chapter, we brothers discuss the bhava that has appealed to us. Then we begin painting that bhava on canvas.?
The brothers are also working on contemporary paintings and fusion art. At this exhibition, the highlight is a painting of Lord Krishna. With Swarovski diamonds and 24 carat gold, the 6?x6? work is priced at Rs 2 crore.