With different art forms spilling into each other, the barriers separating them are being torn down around the globe. Depicting such dovetailing of the muses, 'Maya, in expectation', a performance threaded together by art and music, was held in the residence of Nirmalya Kumar, a professor of marketing at Singapore Management University, in London's fashionable Marylebone district on May 7.
Musicians and guests after the event
Inspired by Kumar’s collection of South Asian art, Srimati Chakraborty, known to most as Chandra-di in the UK circuit, curated the art and music for this event to illustrate a lady's yearning for her lover and how she prepares to receive him.
Hemen Mazumdar paintings on display at 'Maya, in expectation'
The Nirmalya Kumar CollectionEach episode of the presentation — starting from bathing in the river to waiting at the door — had been portrayed through a unique combination of Hemen Mazumdar and Jamini Roy paintings, and Hindustani classical vocals by Chakraborty, who is a disciple of Pandit A.T. Kannan, Malabika Kannan and Girija Devi.
Hemen Mazumdar paintings on display at 'Maya, in expectation'
The Nirmalya Kumar Collection
Hemen Mazumdar paintings on display at 'Maya, in expectation'
The Nirmalya Kumar CollectionChakraborty was accompanied on this occasion by Pandit Sanju Sahay on the tabla, Rakesh Chauhan on the harmonium and Kamalbir Nadra on the violin. Devashish Bhattacharya of Kalakar Arts was the chief coordinator of the event.
Hemen Mazumdar paintings on display at 'Maya, in expectation'
The Nirmalya Kumar CollectionStarting with a drut khayal in Raga Kedar, Chakraborty mesmerised the audience with Hari Thumri, Mishra Khamaj and Mand Dadra. She finished off in style with a drut khayal set in Raga Puriya Kalyan.
Without the elaborate staging of a full-blown concert, the intimate performance created a mood reminiscent of a musical evening at an Indian aristocratic household with the large artworks for the backdrop.
Jamini Roy paintings on display at the event
The Nirmalya Kumar CollectionOn display was Hemen Mazumdar’s first major painting, Palli Pran (Soul of the village), which depicts a lady emerging after a dip in the village pond. In true Mazumdar style, the translucent effect of the woman’s wet sari breathes sensuality and allurement into the figure.
Jamini Roy paintings on display at the event
The Nirmalya Kumar CollectionJocelyn Lightfoot, managing director of the London Chamber Orchestra, folk artist Saskia Griffiths Moore and Indian art expert Caterina Corni were present as guests at the event.
After the performance, Corni took the audience through a tour of the Nirmalya Kumar Collection. She explained Mazumdar’s style of work, his training at Government Art College in Kolkata and his portrayal of women in Indian art.
