Sensitive portraits

HOW MANY lives have been lost? How many have been injured for life? What a lot of property has been lost or damaged beyond repair? Every sensitive person in the country has been moved by the earthquake disaster in Gujarat. Thus it is not surprising that artist K. Pugazhenthi, who also teaches at the Government College of Arts & Crafts, Kumbakonam, too was upset.

It should be appreciated that he responded to the tragedy in his own way, that is by painting. `The shattered nest' is a work on paper extending to 150 feet, depicting the destruction and death that have been caused in Gujarat. It is spread on the wall of the second floor hall of T.Nagar Higher Secondary School, Venkataranayana Road, till February 24, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Pugazhendi had, in his first reaction to the disaster, done several drawings, which have later served as working drawings for the larger paintings; these are also displayed. The long painting can be divided into several panels also. They illustrate the poignant scenes of people and animals caught under heaps of debris, children crying and the survivors looking woebegone, extending their hands for succour. The final panel conveys rebirth and hope for the future with a little girl looking at a plant sprouting up.

The entire piece is drawn in black with charcoal, and charcoal powder used for filling the spaces. They look rather stark, but perhaps it fits the theme and brings home the misery more clearly. If the whole or parts of the work were to be bought, the proceeds would go to the Gujarat Relief Fund, said the artist.

LAKSHMI VENKATRAMAN

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