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LYRICAL WORKS Jagannath Paul’s creations on display at Lalit Kala Gallery.

This artist, whose hands are equally capable of weaving magic on the canvas, is showing his creations at Lalit Kala Gallery in a show titled “Echoes of Ecstasy”. His works, minimalist in approach and hues — he uses only red and black shades — are among the finest examples of lyrical quality. Paul is a Government College of Arts and Craft alumnus (2000). His creations, mostly women’s half-veiled faces and full figures, have a certain relation to music and dance.

His figures move as the steps of the dancer and face remain stoic; whether she is with her beau or friends, alone or in a crowd. She is mysterious and charming. Her eyes are comparable to a lotus.

“Being a part of Kolkata from an impressionable age, music and dance have always remained an integral part of my upbringing. I could never separate my works from them. And the lyrical quality that you find is mostly because of the body movement of a woman as she dances and sings along. I don’t like many colours. I prefer highlighting the face in single or a maximum of two shades,” says 32-year-old Paul.

Apart from his dexterity in creating spectacular faces, Paul’s magic also lies in the use of the medium which is tough and hence less tried. He uses charcoal and acrylic on canvas.

He doesn’t use the brush but his fingers make magic on the canvas. He laminates his works himself.

At 17, Paul left home to pursue art.

“At Diamond Harbour, my place of birth, I used to earn my living by making posters, party hoardings and puja decoration sets. My works used to be appreciated everywhere. Seeing my interest in art my parents encouraged me to take it up. I came to Mumbai to do graduation in Fine Arts while also trying my hand at art direction,” says Paul.

One may wonder how despite being so talented Paul did not attract the limelight.

He cites the reason. “In shows like Harmony in Mumbai, which are mounted to promote young artists, the organisers would bring bigger and known artists to make money. Among many of them a few unknown and young artists would also be squeezed in. But of late even bigger artists aren’t selling because now they are taking advantage of their names and finishing paintings just by drawing a few lines in, say 20 minutes. Since the people’s interest in art has grown by leaps and bounds, they don’t go for such works any more. I remember, a friend of mine bought my works for Rs.15000 a few years ago. Now he calls me up to say that he took the right decision, for now my works sell between one and four lakhs.”

Paul’s show curated, by Anju Sehgal, is on view till Saturday.

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