Gautam Mukerjill shows at Jamaat Gallery

Written by Celia Cross Sunday, 13 May 2012 00:04

Mumbai, India - Ghare - Bhaire , a title made famous by the inimitable film maker , Satyajit Ray. A phrase that can be trietly translated into " Inside Outside " . But a meaning that is so much more. It is the interaction of us people with our environs. What we are like in our homes . What we do when we go out . The bright clean look of our abode. The drabness of the humdrum outside. The masks we put on outside , the open welcome inside. On exhibition 7 December through 7 January, 2008.

Gautam Mukerjill has always focused on his beloved Bengali people. Starting with his series of the Babulog , the every day life of the common folk. Their lives , expressions and affections . From there he moved to the elite Badralok . The elegance , the hautere , the opulence . Focusing again on families , Gautam painted We and Our children . The love , play and interaction of families . And then most spectacular celebration of all , Shubh Vivah - an extravaganza of the Big Indian Wedding . Depicting all the ceremonies , rituals and rites , the fineries and fuss.

Gautam has now moved on . All his previous work depicted the interioirs , the abodes of the Bengali households . Now he includes the outside world . Each painting shows the duality , the outside and the inside . Families stepping out for a ride . Children awaiting the return of their elders . Mothers with their children admiring moonlit skies . The contrast in the treatment is fascinating . The inside in bright and detailed work . The outside in starting monochromatic tones. Still maintaining the Bengaliness of it all , the clothing , the expressions , the interiors , the cliche rickshaws of the outside , the deep blue skies of moonlit nights . Gautam keeps his essence.

JAMAAT GALLERY