Date:18/07/2006 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2006/07/18/stories/2006071814320200.htm

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

Thota Tharrani works at French National Day expo

Staff Reporter

Titled `Symphony, Harmony and Liberty', the paintings are awash with colour

Chennai: An exhibition of paintings by noted artist Thota Tharrani has been put up by Alliance Francaise and Madras University's French department to mark the French National Day. The university's Senate Hall, where the display is on, has been lit up with mellow, yellow lights.

Splash of colour

Titled `Symphony, Harmony and Liberty', the paintings are awash with colour contrasting with stark the white and mono-coloured bands. The display includes a painting of a woman in black and white done in 12 hours before the inauguration of the exhibition. Michel Seguy, Consul General of France at Pondicherry and Madras University Vice-Chancellor S. P. Thyagarajan, opened the display to the general public. With more French universities offering studies in the English medium, Indian students can take up higher studies in France, said Mr. Seguy.

Initiatives

Mr. Thyagarajan said that the art display was one of the university's many initiatives to encourage students to develop an interest in a subject of their choice apart from their regular studies.

The varsity's choice-based credit system would facilitate this process, he noted.