Beauty queen taks up the brush

By Bindu Jacob

NEW DELHI, FEB. 25. Almost 25 years later, she is now all set to make a splash on the international scene again. This time, however, she is wooing the audience not with her beauty but her art.

Former Miss India (1975), Anjana Kuthiala, begins her tryst with the international art scene this coming week with what she describes as her ``dream debut''. She has been selected by CRY to showcase her paintings at a week-long exhibition in Dubai beginning March 1.

Titled ``Art with a Heart'', the exhibition-cum-sale will also showcase works of several other contemporary Indian artists. Part of the funds raised would be given to the underprivileged victims of Orissa cyclone.

Meanwhile, having narrowly missed the Miss Universe crown despite being among the top three favourites, this beauty queen turned writer and artist says: ``Life is happening to me now, through my paintings. My paintings have an international appeal though they often have a rural background. My faces are international and are meant for the international market.''

The exhibition will feature three paintings by Anjana, who also will have the credit of having on view the largest painting measuring 8 by 5 feet.

Anjana, who at forty-six, would surprise anyone with her amazing bundle of effervescent energy primarily paints female forms and claims to draw inspiration from herself for her paintings. ``I paint myself. My women are strong, assertive without begin aggressive and certainly do not need a man to find an identity.''

Talking about what influences her compelling figures and perfect women she draws she adds, ``From being a beauty queen to being married into a strict orthodox family which followed the purdha system and where I was not allowed even to step out of the house, to getting back to life and beginning to rediscover it again....I have travelled a long way and despite all the troubles I have come through with my marriage in tact and my life blemishless.''

Also this beauty queen does not believe in the merits of the crown. ``The life of the beauty queen is jinxed. After being placed on top of the world, the very next year she is discarded for the next queen. The woman is left with no other option but to marry a billionaire. Of course, only the few cerebral ones develop a talent and make a living of it. Amid this I have managed to make my own world. For me the crown was an achievement which was long done with, my life did not stop there. That kept me in balance and control.''

Even as she busies herself with the preparation to go for her ``dream debut'', Anjana claims she has her priorities clear. ``My husband, son, painting, writing and meeting people, are the most important things for me and in that order. I will perish, if I don't have these in my life,'' she says.

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