Few would know the story about how veteran artist SG Vasudev took up art as a career. Vasudev who was a science student at the famous National College in Basavanagudi, which has given the country some of the brightest names in science, didn’t know he would be a master in the field of arts. Those who are curious to know about this journey should head to Inner Resonance – A Return to ‘Sama’ - Six Decades of Cyclic Rhythm in the Works of SG Vasudev. The retrospective show is curated by Sadanand Menon and designed by Miti Desai. It opened on September 1 at the National Gallery of Modern Art.
“A retrospective show isn’t just about a few pieces,” says Vasudev, adding, “I am showing more than 300 pieces of my work in the four mediums (drawings, paintings, reliefs in copper and tapestries in silk) I work with. Also on display are my craftworks, like batik saris.” Vasudev, one of the founder-members of the Cholamandala Artists’ Village on the outskirts of Madras (now Chennai), was prodded to enroll in the Government College of Art in Madras by the late art critic and historian G Venkatachalam, after he had seen Vasudev’s sketches of cricketers and other subjects created when he was a science student.
The month-long exhibition opened with Carnatic vocalist Sanjay Subrahmanyam’s performance and it closes with Hindustani singer, Sangeetha Katti Kulkarni’s recital. Danseuse Madhu Natraj will also be presenting a performance depicting and interpreting Vasudev’s art.
Entry free. Until September 30, 11 am to 5 pm. At NGMA, Palace Road
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