library | 2000 – 2009

"Nature's process of creation, as it exists in its timelessness, in its oneness and peace, has all the answers to man's needs...," - Manav Gupta.
'THREE FOLD STORY - Artist Manav Gupta’s movies on the environment encourage individuals to make a difference.'

HT City, Hindustan Times | Dec 26, 2009

Manav Gupta has complemented colour and light to focus on environment issues. His films on climate change have been credited to deploy high echelons of artistic brilliance put to good use for public consciousness. Gupta pays tribute to the cause with his painting 'Copenhagen Wall of Hope'. Over the weeks, we will bring you Gupta's painting as an artist's work in progress.

CNN IBN | Dec 26, 2009

'The climate change summit at Copenhagen might have ended but the issue continues to exist in the works of artist Manav Gupta whose paintings displayed at an exhibition talk about climate change at large, our association with our roots and also with Mother Nature and the earth.' 'In the Lap of Nature'

Pioneer | Dec, 2009

2009

First Indian artist to be invited for inaugural preview at ICCR (Indian Council for Cultural Relations) post the newly renovated Gallery, New Delhi, for the artist’s curtain raiser on Climate Change – a trilogy to US and Europe.

Commissioned by CNN-IBN for the “COPENHAGEN WALL OF HOPE” exclusive painting by the artist in response to climate change .Commissioned by Jindal Flag Foundation for depicting the Indian Flag translating nationalism and Mahatma Gandhi as metaphors.

  • 2009 Catalogue | Indian Council for Cultural Relations present Manav Gupta | A curtain raiser 1.
  • December 2009 | Indian Horizons | Volume 56 No 3-4 | Azad Bhavan Art Gallery
  • January 2009 | Eyeview | Volume 4 | Manav Gupta and his cadence of colours
  • December 29, 2009 | Delhi Times | Delhi is Talking About – Manav’s Taken up the climate cause through art “When it’s about Climate, Make Yourself Heard!”
  • December 26, 2009 | Hindustan Times | HT City – Three-fold story “Artist Manav Gupta’s movies on the environment encourage individuals to make a difference.”
  • 2009 | The Pioneer | Pioneer the Nation | In The Lap Of Nature
  • December 26, 2009 | CNN IBN |  Copenhagen Wall of Hope by Manav Gupta

December 29, 2009 | Times of India | Delhi Times | Delhi is Talking About – Manav’s Taken up the climate cause through art. “When it’s about Climate, Make Yourself Heard!"

Manav Gupta is a hatke artist- he combines colours with music and paints while musicians perform on stage. And there is more his palette has besides colours – concern for the environment. Artists no wonder let their brush do the talking. “ In my case I let the brush dance.” he says. In the context of all the noise about climate change recently and the world leaders convening in Copenhagen to find a solution to climate change, Manav remarks,” The change needs to be within us. Otherwise the generations to come will suffer.” Like many others he believes that such talks are  not going to help save the environment and that people need to get involved individually to bring about a change. As his personal contribution Manav recently held an exhibition in the capital of his umbilical cords and other works. The artist also compiled a couple of one minute movies  to accompany his work on this occasion and to drive home the point that people need to be pro active about their involvement in saving nature and the planet, “ I was hassled by the fact that all that was being done was arguing about G8, G22 and terms that are totally incomprehensible to us. I want to know like many others, what really is happening. I want my concern for the future to be heard”, said Manav when asked about the purpose behind the exhibition. “ This is taking it a step beyond Copenhagen and giving it more mass appeal than just at the summit level. Through my paintings I want to say how Mother Earth is tormented and how we  will have to pay if we don’t take charge and make a change now,” he says. Manav will also be making a Wall Of Hope to commemorate the Copenhagen Summit and all the hopes that the world had from this platform.” People had their  expectations hooked to the summit. The Leaders while discussing the policies forgot how closely linked these policies are with the normal man and how we are impacted so directly by these decisions.. Through my work I am just hoping that  I am able to put this point of view across – that we cannot just let them get away with being indecisive about things that impact us and that positive action needs to be taken,” says the painter  underlining the connection between the climate summit, the lack of communication between various countries and his own role in the change , as he sees it.  Manav will soon be holding a series of exhibitions to highlight his involvement to  bring about a change in the climate situation.

December 26, 2009 | Hindustan Times | HT City – Three-fold story "Artist Manav Gupta’s movies on the environment encourage individuals to make a difference."

Nature’s process of creation, as it exists in its timelessness, in its oneness and peace, has all the answers to man’s needs…,” says Delhi-based artist Manav Gupta.

An exhibition of Gupta’s films on the environment marked the opening of Azad Bhavan,the new cultural center of the Indian Council For Cultural Relations.The films On My Eyot(on climate change) ,Rainforests (on eco-systems) and Beyond Boundaries(on sustainable development) are part of five films that were commissioned by the Indian government as public service message for broadcast on climate change.

The films, along with Gupta’s paintings and performance art,form the Travelling Trilogy,an exhibition that will travel all over the world.It starts in Delhi in February,in partnership with Ekatra,an NGO.

Gupta’s poems on the same themes were also part of the exhibition. In Beyond Politics,Beyond Copenhagen, For Our Children, he writes, “Let us stop a while, while doing what we are doing, and begin to change what we can change…”

Talking about his piece, Gupta explains, “I wanted to drive home the message that we have to go beyond Copenhagen, beyond drawing room politics and sensitise ourselves, and try and make a change on an individual level.”

Gupta,whose works have been auctioned at Christie’s and Bonham’s and are a part of collections in various international museums, has also pioneered a style of performance art he calls ‘Jugalbandi’.As part of the performance, Gupta paints on stage while an artist performs. “It is the Indian answer to performance art. It is an engagement of different art forms with each other,” says Gupta, who has worked with senior artists such as L Subramaniam, Anup Jalota and Shubha Mudgal in the past.

2009 | The Pioneer | Pioneer the Nation | In The Lap Of Nature

By N Anuranjani

The climate change summit at Copenhagen might have ended but the issue continues to exist in the works of artist Manav Gupta whose paintings displayed at an exhibition talk about climate change at large, our association with our roots and also with Mother Nature and the earth. “ The whole idea is to depict climate change that goes much beyond the political affairs, nationalities and other issues. It concerns the whole humanity, “ said Gupta. An artwork in black and white titles Regeneration exudes a rich appeal. “ The lady in the painting depicts a goddess who has become one with the ecosystem,” said Gupta. The eyes of the lady seem to pierce into the viewer’s eye quite inquisitively. The exhibition Climate Change Beyond Boundaries beyond Copenhagen ; Umbilical Chords Of The Earth and Rainforests, has been put up by Gupta in association with Indian Council For Cultural Relations ( ICCR) at Azad Bhavan Auditorium. “ The whole idea is to weave all art forms together as art cannot be restricted to a particular format and the entire thought is what encompasses all the forms of art.” Said he. A painting that attracts attention has a green backdrop but the people in it are illustrated in black. ”This one is my favourite. It goes on different levels and is about large cosmic designs ,” says Gupta. Another painting titled ‘Rain’ has the raindrops done in green as would be viewed from behind a glass pane. It is a magnificent piece by the artist. Gupta who not only is a painter but a poet, a sculptor, an environmental film maker has put together 29 paintings in the exhibition. He has also interwoven his ideas into a poem so that it appears as a complete story. Gupta plays with colours to build a texture and creates a well composed imagery. The visual appeal is heightened by the subtle light which emanates from the paintings. The perils of disturbing the harmony between the natural environment and human society have also been clearly depicted in his paintings. He is an artist who looks beyond himself and his sensitivity to the needs of human beings is clearly depicted through his worksHe is at home with different media. The paintings are done in watercolor, oil and acrylic on canvas and have one thing in common .They glow with the artist’s fervour and energy. His sensitive exploration of the earth’s different hues are very exhilarating to look at. Former President APJ Abdul Kalam once praising his works had remarked ,” I can see in them the beauty of the flowers, smell the fragrance and taste the honey in the flowers, .It is as if they are speaking to me.” The statement says loads about the painter and artist that his art is not only exquisite but has a message which touches hearts, smoothens feelings and transmits beauty and peace of combined arts into every artistic person and showers happiness.

December 2009 | Indian Horizons | Volume 56 No 3-4 | Azad Bhavan Art Gallery
Catalogue | Indian Council for Cultural Relations present Manav Gupta | A curtain raiser

Editor and Art Critic : Shubhra Mazumdar

The newly opened art gallery of the ICCR, the Azad Bhavan Gallery in New Delhi, has become a prime attraction for the art fraternity. Having clocked more than half-a-year of showcasing Indian art, the gallery has attained the status of being a place for discerning art exhibitions, where displays explore the ever-emerging mediums of self-expression among the artists of today. A round-up of the premier exhibitions held at this gallery space in this issue throws light upon the variety of Indian art, the need for creating a vibrant platform to uphold the principles of cultural propagation, and connectivity that is the primary focus of the ICCR.

It was therefore in the fitness of things that the inaugural exhibition at the Azad Bhavan Gallery should showcase a display with multi-dimensional aspects. The pick of artists therefore homed on to Manav Gupta, who besides being a painter is also a film maker, an environmental activist and music lover. His show titled: Rainforests and the Umbilical Chords summed up his concerns about the environment by focusing on the damages suffered by the earth. His telling explanation about the exhibits are worth mentioning as he stated: “We are because there are umbilical chords of earth, of fire, nature’s elements that hold us. If we break away to mindlessly build and expand, we surround ourselves with our own follies.”

Mapping these concerns in the form of art, Manav Gupta expresses himself as a brilliant colourist, which makes his images flow in a lyrical harmony across the canvas. In particular, his depiction of the plight of the rainforests, is a grim picture at first sight. If one were to ‘scratch’ into its depths, it would reveal a ray of hope inculcated through the use oflight peeping through the gloom, breaking out of the shackles of the surrounding and enveloping environmental degradation. The cool greens, the mellow yellows, the deeper indigos and the earthy tones of his canvases are not mere colour patches. They express a profound vocabulary of concerns that transcend beyond the physical and touch nature on a superior level altogether. The artist and his work are enshrined into a higher plane of consciousness and the viewer vibrates in this energy, making the works a feast for the eyes and serenity for the soul.

January 2009 | Eyeview Volume 4 | Manav Gupta and his cadence of colours

His images glow in ecstasy of colours and he delights in exploring a visionary world inviting us to his other worldly realm. This may be a denotive perception of the exciting canvases of Manav Gupta articulated in symbols. His may be quite as much an elusive pursuit of what is unknowable and indecipherable. What appears to the senses is only a feel of cosmic eminence that Manav Gupta seeks to arrest in his glorious colours and informs us in one of his poems. “With paints I draw/which was/and what is can one sketch what it will.

The imaginative painter, Manav Gupta is also a poet deep spiritual, with his ecstatic way of seeing. He writes verses in Hindi and English and has published a collection of his poems in English. Both in his poetry and painting he draws on a philosophic resolution of reality.

He differs sharply from many iconic stalwarts whose colours play upon details of myth or lopsided metaphysics of the myths. Manav is secular and wins instantly an all embracing response of his viewers. (When one reflects over his works, consummate in craftsmanship and composition, it is the poetry and music of his amazing dash of colours which spring top of everything else. A harmony integrates the glare of his light. There is a unifying intensity in his brush strokes. These have been interpreted variously. Some found in his colours a cosmic matrix while others marvelled at his liberations of light from the object. Whatever the attributes, the painter while making a logical use of concentrated colour, is ever restless to explore and invent his distinctive idiom. Our acquaintance with Manav Gupta has been less in the galleries than in the capital’s poetry evenings compelling us to wonder how he is at ease in both the fields.

 

Now in his forties (b 1967), Manav has had a troubled childhood. His parents separated when he was 13 and the mother, a gentle and art loving woman, had to sweat out to keep the family going; herself, daughter and the son. She then taught in a B.Ed. college in Kolkata. Manav recalls nostalgically the bucolic surrounding of the college residence near National Library where he grew up in the lap of nature. ‘he mood, rhythm and the pageantry of nature reflected in his works owe to this experience that deeply shaped his artistic sensibility. The painter is overwhelmed when he acknowledges nature to be his first self-taught artist, he says he learnt the grammar of painting from the veteran painter Ratin Mitra of the Academy of Fine Arts, Kolkata while Vasant Pandit taught him the soul of painting. Of cheerful smiles and tranquil’ disposition, Manav did not have however a smooth passage to painting. The rigors of existence quite often suppressed the talent when the artist consciously observed the unremitting silent sacrifice of mother day-on-day to provide for the children. Even as an under-graduate he had to take up tuitions rather than go for art classes. He met his college expenses himself and even helped his sister who had her own dreams as a Kathak dancer. The authors and artists after all are such a tribe on whom fortune seldom smiles. Just when Manav graduated in physiology from Presidency College, Kolkata in 1988, his mother detected cancer. The painter had to grapple with heavy expenses of his mother’s treatment and also arrange marriage of the growing sister. Eventually his further education was shelved and locking his easel and canvas in the drawers, the painter turned to job market. His pleasing personality and academic performance of course stood him in good stead. He bagged cushy job first in Nestle and then secured big rise in an oil company: But he had to look after his ailing mother. The oil company which was pleased with his performance appreciated his dilemma and posted him back to Kolkata on a top notch new assignment. Rubbing shoulders with the elites of the corporate world in Kolkata he felt materially quite satisfying though, his heart ached for a life of an artist. However lucrative the job was keeping him off his passion for painting. The urge grew stronger when after the marriage of his sister in 1993, his family burden had relatively eased. Yet, for a while he let it go as it did till his own marriage in 1995 to Sudeshna who in the face of glamorous world around, chose a life of sacrifice and stood firmly by the artist when he took the daring resolve to be a full- time artist. The proposition was galvanized in 1996 when solo exhibition of his works made splash at the Birla Academy which picked up one of his paintings for its permanent collection. He was then one of the youngest painters to win this recognition. He now mattered in Kolkata’s art world and just next year, The Taj Bengal invited him to put up a show of his works which made a discerning impact upon the elite visitors. He was then confidently emerging from his seminal fold attaining in the process technical and imaginative maturity. Yet the corporate career that Manav was clinging on was coming in his way of artistic goal. The dream of a full-time painter kept haunting him constantly till finally he took the water-shed decision to say good-bye to his corporate job well reminded by the well-wishers of the impending hazards. They had a valid reason since art history teems with woeful cases of painters who lived in dire poverty and frustration like the Dutch painter Vincent Van driven to commit suicide. The creator of “Resurrection”, Stanley Spencer who dominated almost the first half of the twentieth century was driven after bitter humiliation on a law suit to court for failing to pay petty arrears. The chilling instances are endless. But then, there was no going back now. Leaving the job he said good-bye to Kolkata too. It was the year 1999. Responding to an opportunity to display his works at the Taj Palace, New Delhi, he landed in the town bag and baggage. It was a turning point for the painter. His exhibition was so successful that the Ministry of culture was prompted to hold an exclusive display of his works in its premises. This official exhibition of the painter drew attention of all those who mattered in the art world of Delhi. Even so the art market swamped by Hussains, Razas and Bawas offered little promise to a new comer. Whatever little money the painter made in the sale of his works, he spent it all, he says, producing elegant calendars rather than going for a flat or a car. His single minded devotion however did not go invain. His works began to reach out steadily to deserving destinations; the Roosevelt House in 2001, Leela Palace in 2002 and the Park Hotel in 2003. The painter suffered a set-back in the home front during this time when after a prolonged illness his mother passed away in 2003. Manav was then experimenting his new style of painting, the Jugalbandhi with the renowned singer Shubha Mudgal. There was a pause and the experiment had to wait for some more years. A dramatic turn-round dawned in 2005 when Manav’s works made advent in Rashtrapati Bhavan. The preceding year he had already made a stir in the Victoria Jones, London. At the Rashtrapati Bhavan, his paintings attracted the notice of the then President of India Dr APJ Abdul Kalam who chose the works for his book of poems brought out by Penguin. Dr Abdul Kalam acknowledged the talent of Manav eloquently at the national gallery of Modern Art when he said, “Manav came and stayed with me in Rashtrapati Bhavan and created beautiful canvasses full of life. I can see in them the beauty of flowers. It is as if they are speaking to me with poems. First time I realized painting and poem intertwined with the imagination of a painter, leads to the birth of a new creation. That new creation touches your heart…” Dr Abdul Kalam’s observation was not that of an art critic but he very discerningly brought out the aesthetic aspects of Manav’s paintings. All works of art first must aesthetically move before making impact on other levels. This is however not to judge Manav just as an aesthetic painter; his works on the contrary are highly interpretative. With the exposure at the highest level, the beauty and grandeur of Manav’s works were widely acclaimed and in 2006, he notched his rightful place in Lalit Kala Akademi. As his market now expanded further, he gravitated the Arab World which began with works being acquired by Omani Fine Arts Society followed by several art organizations in the Middle East. The Royal household of Oman cherishingly patronized his works. The painters made a fast trek to professional success. His canvasses were lifted at Christies auction in 2006 and the Bonhams, London in 2007. He was commissioned by numerous world bodies and the painter made safe invasion to the private collections in US, UK and Australia. Reaping the harvest of meteorite market success, Manav however did not allow himself to fall a prey to ‘pot boilers’. His vivid imagination rooted in nature was at his creative best. He now broke new ground in oils and acrylics in contrast to his earlier water colours. His enduring love for nature continues to enkindle his inspiration which explains his prolific hand in landscapes. The trees, the central metaphor of the painter sustains as powerful imaginative stimulant. Ever zealous for new forays, Manav’s passion and his creative fire blaze equally in his sculptures and installations. For his artistic versatility he has been placed on the Expert Committee for the National Republic Day celebrations. Manav sets a new trend in Indian painting with the creation of what he calls “Jugalbandhi’9. It is kind of transference of sound in colour; the theme of the song or the musical performances brought live on canvas. After his initial hit in 2003 he made it again in 2006 with Dr. L. Subramanyam during the French Award ceremony. In his series of Jugalbandi paintings in which he tapped the emotion of ragas on canvas his brush worked on the waves of cadence of flutes and santoor as also the lucid voice of the singers at their classical best- the depth of the mood and amazing variations. The experiment which carves out Manav’s unique place in painting hierarchy owes its genesis to his own vocal accompaniment to Kathak performance of his sister in his earlier Kolkata days. The experiment sets a model for collaborative art. Today, the busy bee of painting, Manav Gupta works in his studio in NOIDA which is a part of his residence. He says he has a long way to go on his avowed mission and has no regret that he gave up his high profile management job for the love of brush and colour. The artist will celebrate his forty-second birth day on December 29 this year.

His art cleanses the soul from the dust of everyday life. He gives Iife to poems and music. His imaginations lead to new creations— from one form of art to another form of art. His paintings are poems without words. He is as close to nature as possible. There's nothing cosmetic about what he feels or what he does.

Times of Oman | Aug 12th, 2007

Catalogue page 120-121: Manav Gupta, captures the lyrical quality of light and colour in nature with equal ease in a variety of media.

Tehelka, Bonhams, London | June 7th, 2007

Oman Society for Fine Arts (OSFA) is host­ing an exhibition by the inter­nationally acclaimed Indian artist Manav Gupta. "My art is what I am... what I perceive, and what I look forward to,” says the artist. “My art is my heart­beat. All that I do comes from deep within.”

Oman Daily Observer | Aug 8th, 2007

2007-2008

Travelling trilogy, Edition I, Middle East. Omani Fine Art‟s Society, Muscat,Oman and other venues

PERMANENT COLLECTION, ROYAL HOUSEHOLD, OMAN

AUCTION - SALE : Bonham’s, LONDON (June, 2007) PERFORMANCE ART:
CONCERT SERIES transforming leading performing artistes oeuvre on canvas LIVE on stage with Anup Jalota with Rahul Sharma, Rakesh Chaurasia & Vijay Ghate. with Contemporary Dance Troupe & musicians with special needs.

Commissioned by Hitachi, Singapore for a Limited Edition Copyright of works for premiere plasma screens curated by Renu Rana

  • August 2008 | The Noidan | Volume 1 | No. 9 | Noida Icon : Manav Gupta | Earthy Designs
  • October 20 2008 | Dainik Jagran | Furniture and Painting | 5598
  • August 2007 | Urbane | An artist par excellence
  • July 2007 Vol-1-Issue 2 | Delhi Expat Insider | A taste of visual poetry
  • October 28 2007 | The Sunday, Delhi Newsline ExpressIndia | An Arty Pact |Antoon Cox
  • December 15 2007 | Darpan | Poetry on Canvas | Art Mart | Mamta Upadhyaya | Issue: Dec 2006- Jan 2007
  • August 17 2007 | H! | Painting exhibition, Darwish bin Ismail bin Ali AL Baloushi, secretary-general at the Ministry of Finance,opened a 12 day painting exhibition by renowned Indian artist Manav Gupta at the Omani Society for Fine Arts.
  • August 17, 2007 | BEC Groupt Presents Heart 2 Heart featuring Manav Gupta
  • August 2007 | TIMES OF OMAN | Generation Next featuring Manav Gupta
  • August 20 2007 | TIMES OF OMAN | Manav’s latest painting attracts heavy bids
  • August 18 2007 | TIMES OF OMAN | Renowned painter and poet Manav Gupta with Anil Wadhwa, Indian ambassador to the Sultanate.
  • August 19 2007 | TIMES LEISURE | Taking a centrestage featuring Manav Gupta
  • August 22 2007 | TIMES OF OMAN | Anup Jalota Live featuring Manav Gupta
  • August 22 2007 | MIRROR | Brush that listens
  • London 2007 | Bonhams-Asia House, London 2007 | Art for Freedom | Tehelka | ISBN 81-87890-08-8
  • Nov 02, 2007 |Hindustan Times | Chetana Joshi Bambroo | Artvistic |
  • 2007 | Hindustan Times |Earth on Canvas |
  • March 16, 2007 | Hindustan Times | Adding Spice To Life
  • Persona Magnified | Karan Sondhi | Manav Gupta | ISBN 978-81-7010-362-2
  • October 2008 | Design & Interiors | Celebration of Inner Light
  • July 2008 | Eyeview | Volume 3, No. 2 | An Evening of Indian Poetry at Habitat by Manav Gupta
  • January 30 2008 | Femina | What lies beneath
  • July 17 2007 | TIMES OF OMAN | Manav Gupta with President Dr A.P.J Abdul Kalam
  • August 7 2007 | TIMES OF OMAN | Manav Gupta joins ‘Unity-A Relief Effort’ initiative
  • August 7 2007 | TIMES OF OMAN | ‘Generation Next’ enthrals | Manav Gupta painting
  • August 8 2007 | OMAN DAILY | OSFA to host works of leading Indian artist,Oman Society for Fine Arts is hosting an exhibition by the Internationally acclaimed Indian artist Manav Gupta
  • August 12 2007 | TIMES OF OMAN | Bank Muscat presents The Premiere of an exhibition of paintings by manav gupta
  • August 12 2007 | TIMES LEISURE | Article by Palazhi Ashok Kumar | His art is his heartbeat | Manav’s paintings will not only touch your hearts but also simulate your feelings. Musical Brush,With a stroke of his brush, Manav Gupta paints a picture with the rythm from live music to enthrall the audience duing the fund raising events.
  • 12th-23rd August 2007 | Bank Muscat Press Release
  • August 13 2007 | OMAN DAILY | Article by Hasan Kamoonpuri | Catch young Indian artist live in action on 17th and 23rd,12 day Manav Gupta exhibition opens at OSFA
  • August 14 2007 | OMAN DAILY | Trying to merge art with poetry
  • August 15 2007 | TIMES OF OMAN | Manav Gupta portrays freedom on canvas
  • August 15 2007 | TIMES OF OMAN | Wishing INDIA a great future as it celebrates its INDEPENDENCE DAY, Painting by Manav Gupta
  • August 15 2007 | TIMES OF OMAN | A toast to India’s unity and integrity, Painting by Manav Gupta based on a poem by former Indian President Dr. A.P.J Abdul Kalam
  • August 16 2007 | OMAN DAILY | Manav Gupta’s live painting show
  • August 2007 | The Week | Performance Painter

Non Limiting Horizons

60 x 36 Inches
Acrylic on canvas
June 11th, 2007 | LONDON
Lot No 75 : SOLD

Bonhams - London

Catalogue page 120-121: Manav Gupta, captures the lyrical quality of light and colour in nature with equal ease in a variety of media. He is the recipient of the inaugural Sanatan Puraskar for Fine Arts 2006. He was commissioned by the - President APJ Abdul Kalam for interpreting his poems in paintings, now a book "The Life Tree" published by Penguin. Nominated on the Expert Committee for the National Republic Day celebrations he was commissioned by the Government of India to make a series of short films on the environment. His work is included in the permanent collections of the Chitrakala Parishad, Bangalore, the Birla Academy of Fine Arts, Kolkata; the Parliament, Rashtrapati Bhawan, New Delhi and the Victoria Jones Gallery, London besides several private collections across the globe. He has had numerous solo shows. Gupta paints and lives out of Delhi. 

August 8th, 2007 | Oman Daily Observer | OSFA to host works of leading Indian Artist

OSFA to host works of leading Indian artist

By A Staff Reporter

MUSCAT — Oman Society for Fine Arts (OSFA) is host­ing an exhibition by the inter­nationally acclaimed Indian artist Manav Gupta from August 12 to 22 at the Society’s Gallery at A1 Sarooj.

Darwish Ismail al Balushi, Secretary-General of the Ministry of Finance, will pre­side at the opening of the dis­play on August 12 at 7.30 pm.Manav is hailed as one of the few leading young painters today whose dexteri­ty in exploring light and colour brilliantly with the most sensitive and delicate stroke play has fetched him rare critical acclaim from luminaries, critics and the media alike. He has been awarded the ‘Sanatan Puraskar for Fine Arts 2006′ on the occasion of which he did a jugalbandi (confluence) on stage live with the noted violinist Dr L Subramaniyam.

Manav is also a noted poet. He has also recently completed his latest project of short films commissioned by the Government of India as a Public Service Message on the environment to be telecast on primetime television. Using his poetry and paintings Manav has woven a subtle yet powerful experi­ence that conveys the need for consciousness on global warming and other environ­ment issues. 

Premiered recently by the Ministry of Environment and Forests (Government of India), at a special function, the one-minute films have been rated to draw an unprecedented response from all quarters.The artist was commis­sioned by former Indian President Dr A P J Abdul Kalam to complete an exclu­sive series of paintings inter­preting the latter’s poems now available as a book The Life Tree. His works have been showcased by the Ministry of Culture for one year, as well as by former US Ambassador to India Richard Celeste and Jacqueline Lundquist at the Roosevelt House, US Embassy.

Other venues to host his works were the Leela Palace (Bangalore), HSBC (Delhi) and recently at the RashtrapatiBhawan, besides major cities abroad including. New York, Melbourne and London.Manav’s works are io the permanent collection of the Parliament, Rashtrapati Bhawan (President of India’s office), the Birla Academy of Fine Arts, The Chitra Kala Parishad, Bangalore, and the Victoria Jones Gallery, London besides several pri­vate and public collections.

“My art is what I am… what I perceive, and what I look forward to,” says the artist. “My art is my heart­beat. All that I do comes from deep within.”

August 12th, 2007 | Times Leisure | His art his heartbeat

By Palazhi Ashok Kumar, Associate Editor

He is a philosopher-painter. and an artist -poet. His art is his heartbeat. His work exemplify that art is the triumph over chaos. His art cleanses the soul from the dust of everyday life. He gives Iife to poems and music His imaginations lead to new creations— from one form of art to another form of art. His paintings are poems without words. He is as close to nature as possible.
There’s nothing cosmetic about what he feels or what he does. He is none other than Manav Gupta, one of the 10 leading young artists of India whose works would fetch you good returns.

Realistic and fantastic. Lively and reflective! Manav’s paintings will not only touch your hearts but also stimulate your feelings. His paintings make us feel that life without paintings is a poor affair. His creations reveal that he is an individual upholding the principle of clarity, courage and intelligence. Manav has actual knowledge and receptivity to knowledge.

i love nature, and she is my mother. The nature makes me think high, and I often speak to her. I love to capture the movements of nature. I can talk about my paintings for hours. Right interpretations give me more satisfaction, as my creations come from my heart, from my moods,” Manav told Times Leisure.

“I can feel my heart beat whole day when I’m involved In art,” he said.
His creations ‘As Dawn Descends’, ‘Moonlight Sonata’. ‘Poetry of Terrain’, Pristine Light, ‘Solitary Reaper’, ‘Symphony of Stones and Land’, Life Tree will make art-lovers feet that Manav speaks to the nature. Yes. life is short, but art Is not. We must read what Dr A. P. j. Abdul Kalam, then president of India said: “Some time back I composed a poem in my mother tongue and trans- lated it into English, titled Life Tree along with some other poems. While com¬posing I never thought that a poem could be given life, beauty and creativity as I visualised.That is the time Manav came and stayed with me In Rashtrapati Bhavan to picturize the natural beau¬ty of Rashtrapati Bhavan and the Mughal Gardens. He stayed with his family for a week and created beautiful canvases full of life. I can see in them the beauty of flowers, smell the fragrance and taste the honey in the flowers. It is as if they are speaking to me with poems. When Manav came across my poem Life Tree he took seven days in the beautiful environs of the Mughal Gardens to transform Life Tree into a speak¬ing tree. What a beautiful creation! First time I realized painting and poem inter¬twined with the Imagina¬tion of a painter, leads to the birth of a new creation. That new creation touches your heart smoothens feel¬ings. and transmits beauty and peace of the com-, bined art Into every artistic person, and showers hap¬piness in his or her mind and soul.”

My art is what I am, and it comes out spontaneously. What I sense. And what I look forward to. My art is my heartbeat. All that I do comes from deep within,” Manav said..
Manav believes in soothing and vibrant colours. Montek Singh Ahluwalia, deputy chair man of India’s Planning Commission once said: “I was struck by the beauty and the philosophical relevance of his paintings. According to international media, Manav Gupta is an artist with a difference. His paintings are often visually striking. Sounds, moods and rhythms have deeply affected the artist to give a brilliant sensitivity to his works. Manav is natural in his works. He picked up the paintbrush as a child in the serene, sylvan surroundings of National Library. Kolkata. This young, dynamic artist lived and grew up in the lap of heritage. He always had a restless heart. Manav studied painting under Vasant Pandit, an unsung master besides the Academy of Fine Arts when Ranu Mukherjee and Rathin Mitra personally addressed every student. Today, Manav has grown manifold. His art has taken him to the zenith. He’s a name the world recognizes. As Dr L. M. Sanghvi, former Indian ambassador to Uh said, Manav Gupta has finesse of forms and colour’, ‘Which flows through his exquisite painting each one of which is a poem with a painting as its habitat. His colours have a tranquil philosophical quality: his paintings spontaneously engage their viewers in an intimate conversation.

August 12th, 2007 | Times of Oman | Bank Muscat presents: The premiere of an exhibition of paintings by Manav Gupta"

July 17, 2007 | Times of Oman | Artist-Poet: Manav Gupta with President Dr A.P.J. Abdul Kalam

MUSCAT — Leading corporate brands have confirmed their participation in the Unity — A Relief Effort initiative unveiled by Oman’s leading event manager Light & Shadow Enterprises LLC (L & S). Under the humanitarian initiative — to help the victims and survivors of Cyclone Gonu — L & S is organizing five major events starling from August 9. The event will continue till September 6.

“We have been receiving enormous support from the public and private sector institutions. We have already joined force# with certain organizations — public and private — to raise funds for the victims of Cyclone Gonu. Events titled, ‘Generation Next *Live-in Concert’. ‘Heart-to-Heart’, ‘Film Festival and ‘Tribute’, will be new experience for Muscateers,” Rajesh
Chowdhary. Managing director of L & S, said here yesterday. August 9, ‘Generation Next’: For the first time, India’s Rahul Sharma (son of Pandit Shiv Kumar Sharma) on santoor, Rakesh Chaurasia (nephew of Pandit Hariprasad Chaurasia) on flute, and lead¬ing percussionist Vijay Ghatge will come together on the stage. These champions of music will create an unforget¬table evening for Muscateers at the Grand Hyatt, the offi¬cial venue for Unity -A Relief Effort initiative.
Internationally acclaimed artist-poet Manav Gupta will create a painting in front of the audience, visualizing the musical theme presented by Rahul Sharma, Rakesh Chaurasia and Vijay Ghatge, and the painting will be auc-tioned. President of India had honoured Manav Gupta for completing an exclusive series of paintings, interpret¬ing Dr A. P. J. Abdul Kalam’s poems.
Gupta is one of the few leading young painters today whose dexterity in exploring light and colour brilliantly with the most sensitive and delicate stroke play has fetched him rare critical acclaim from luminaries, crit¬ics and the media alike. He writes for leading publica¬tions on the synergy of nature/environment, creativi¬ty and art and has been invit¬ed by leading corporate hous¬es, schools, colleges and other educational foundations for conducting some very inter¬esting workshops on the same. He is one of the youngest members to have been nominated to the expert committee for the National Republic Day celebrations.
Times of Oman is the media sponsor, and City Business, the official maga¬zine. August 23. ‘Jalota Live-in Concert’: Anup Jalota is one of India’s most prolific vocalists.
Heart-to-Heart: This will be a performance by an inter¬national dance ballet. Having performed all over the world at most renowned dance festi¬vals. and for some of the most prestigious Microsoft, Infosys, Samsung and Motorola, they will be here in Oman to leave the audience mesmerized. An orchestra by visually chal¬lenged will support the mega show.
“Don’t sympathize, but understand, acknowledge, encourage and support the young talents ‘heart-to-heart’. Five blind musicians will per¬form famous Indian and inter¬national film themes on instruments. which will leave the audience amazed, and take them on an unforgettable musical journey.
The event manger will host a six-day film festival on a legendary Indian actor. For the first lime in Oman, the actor will be present during the screening of his films. Everyday a new film will be screened, and before starting the movie, the actor will inter- act with the audience and share his anecdotes and mem¬ories of the film with the audi-ence. The film festival com¬prises six movies of the leg- endary actor, which will be followed by a musical tribute to mark respect to the leg¬endary artiste.

August 7th, 2007 | Times of Oman | Manav Gupta joins ‘Unity — A Relief Effort’ initiative

MUSCAT — World-renowned artist-poet Manav Gupta will create paintingslive in Muscat this Thursday. He has joined hands with Light & ShadowEnterprises for the much-publicizedUnityA Relief Effort humanitarian  initiative “We are excited to join hands with an internationally Manav Gupta . Muscateer will experience the double whammy of his most sought after paintings, especially his performance an on stage. He will create paintings focusing on Oman, in front of the audience, visualizing the musical theme presented by Rahul Shamia. Rakesh Chaurasia and Vijay Ghatge/^Rajeev Chowdhary, managing director of Light & Shadow Enterprises LLC said.

Paintings created by Manav Gupta will then be auctioned. Manav was honoured recently for completing an exclusive series of paintings interpret­ing Dr A. P. J. Abdul Kalam’s poems^

Gupta is one of the few leading young painters today whose dexterity in exploring light and colour brilliantly with the most sensitive and delicate stroke play has fetched him rare critical acclaim from luminaries, critics and the media alike. He writes for leading pub­lications on the synergy of nature/envi­ronment. creativity and art and has been invited by leading corporate houses schools, colleges and other educa­tional foundations for conducting some very interesting workshops on the same. He is one of the youngest mem­bers to have been nominated on the expert committee for India’s Republic Day celebrations.

“Rated by recent surveys as one of the 10 leading young artists of India who is being rapidly recognized global­ly for his cutting-edge works in water- colour, oils, acrylic as well as multimedia, Manav has patented his very; unique offering as an artist from this part of the world as an answer to western spatial and performance art.

He paints in a very possessed unique style that only he can create on stage in the presence of live music and engages in a jugalbandi with leading musicians and performers to creating a work of art that interprets the music on canvas. We are proud to bring this exciting art form by Manav to Muscat tor the first time along with the first time opportunity of possessing one of the mesmerizing paintings  this great artist right here in Muscat as a great investment opportunity.” Rajeev said.

Manav’s dexterity in exploring light and colour brilliantly with the most sensitive and delicate stroke play has fetched him rare critical acclaim from luminaries, critics, and media and art aficionados alike. Noted art-critic Keshav Malik says: ‘Technically, he is highly professional. He has a precise understanding of colour especially with regard to meanings that Nature conveys … whether a kaleidoscope or simply shades of monochromes. He puts the medium to fresh creative tasks. It is thus a silent discourse on the music of colours. The transience and shifting moods of light are a delight. At differ­ent moments the colours appear to quiver excitingly as if rising to a high­er emotional state.”

Master veteran artist Paritosh Sen recommends strongly “an excellent watercolourist who paints landscapes of great lyrical quality and beauty.” Hailed by Financial Times as one of India’s 10 leading young artists whose works would fetch you good returns Manav’s work has been successfully auctioned by Christie’s, Bonham’s and other auction houses.

In a letter addressed to Manav, Dr A. P. J. Abdul Kalam said: “Some time back I composed a poem in my mother tongue and translated it into English, titled Life Tree along with some other poems. The message in the poems was celebration of life. While composing 1 never thought that a poem could be given life, beauty , and creativity as I visualized. That is the time Manav came and stayed with me in Rashtrapati Bhavan to picturize the natural beauty of Rashtrapati Bhavan and the Mughal Gardens. He stayed with his family for a week and created beautiful canvases full of life.

“I can see in them the beauty of flowers, smell the fragrance and taste the honey in the flowers. It is as if they are speaking to me with poems. When Manav came across my poem Life Tree he took seven days in the beautiful environs of the Mughal garden to trans­form Life Tree into a speaking tree. What a beautiful creation! First time 1 realized painting and poem intertwined with the imagination of a painter, leads to the birth of a new creation. That new creation touches your heart, smoothens feelings, and transmits beauty and peace of the combined art into every artistic person and showers happiness in his or her mind and soul.’*

Manav has been commissioned to create his signature works that were presented as business leadership awards to            industrialists Kumarmangalam Birla and Kamath of the Birla Group and ICICI, respective­ly. Youngest member nominated by Defence Ministry on the Expert Committee for the Republic Day cele­brations of India his works have been exhibited across the globe in Europe. US and Australia especially regularly in New York, Melbourne and London. Having exhibited globally, his works have been showcased at the Rashtrapati Bhawan. His works have been show­cased by the Ministry of Culture for one year, by the erstwhile US Ambassador Richard Celeste and Jacqueline Lundquist at the Roosevelt House, US embassy, for three months, Leela Palace. Bangalore. HSBC. Delhi, British High Commission. Embassy of Finland, alit Kala Academy. Visual Arts Gallery, India Habitat Centre. Taj Group of Hotels. The Park and the Oberoi besides numerous galleries in India and abroad. This charismatic  artist has been unique in captivating record live audiences.

August 7th, 2007 | Oman Daily Observer | Manav Gupta's live painting show

MUSCAT — Manav Gupta, a top-notch Indian painter-poet currently on a visit, created a live painting yesterday at the Omani Society of Fine Arts (OSFA) to rededicate himself to the unity and integrity of India. The event, organised by the Light and Shadow Enterprises LLC, was a befitting tribute to the 60th Independence Day celebrations of India. Manav made the occasion all the more exciting and meaningful by creating a unique painting depicting unity in diversity which is the backbone of India’s multi-cultural society.

Earlier, the event was inaugurated by Indian Ambassador designate to the Sultanate, Anil Wadhwa, when he took a brush and drew a green line. Manav took over from here and produced the Indian flag on the one side and a caricature of Mahatma Gandhi along with common people united behind him for the freedom struggle. A large number of Omani dignitaries and top-ranking Indian executives attended the event and lauded the idea of live painting on the auspicious occasion of India’s
Independence Day.

The painting, depicting India’s unity and integrity, and the dedications of Indians to the progress and prosperity of their nation, was presented to the Indian ambassador.

Manav’s painting is his message, said a visitor adding that he is an artist-cum-poet and his paintings on such occasions subtly projects the fact that modern India presents a picture of unity in diversity where people of different faiths and beliefs live together in peace and harmony.  The overall message of Manav’s paintings on such occasions is that only a united India can become a world power.

The nation’s unity is always of supreme importance but it is more vital now. Manav said for him live painting offers a special joy because he paints as he thinks and there is no pre-determined at theme. As he paints, the full idea behind the painting unfolds both for the audience and for himself. And “if the painting is directly linked to the prevailing mood, it is all the more stimulating, challenging and enlivening,” he said. Manav said he has had a very enriching and encouraging experience in Oman and would like to come here again.

By A Staff Reporter

August 20th, 2007 | Times of Oman | Manav Gupta's latest painting attracts heavy bids.

MUSCAT — Loads of p»eople are bidding to become the proud owner of the latest painting by world-renowned artist Manav Gupta — Harmony (Unity in Hope).
Exact prices of bids, are unknown, but values have crossed thousands of rials.
‘The value of a single work of art often balances on the name and reputation of the artist, rather than the work itself. But here the importance also includes a new message — harmony.
The rare painting visualises the strong relationship between Oman and India. India is on the road to progress. The whole world is watching India with expectation.

“We all must join togeth-er, hand-in-hand, to build a new India. We must join hands to maintain the prosperity of Oman, and indeed, the broth-erly relationship between Oman and India. The painting Harmony exemplifies this message,” an Indian, who is proud to live in Oman, opined.
What’s the inteipretation of this painting? “Our languages may be different. But in our progress lies the progress of our nations. Our fortunes and nations’ fortunes are inter-twined. And working together, we can continue to make this fortune a glorious one.’’
It’s worth investing in good paintings. Manav’s paintings are at the height of popularity now. An initial auction for the painting at the Grad Hyatt broke records on August 9. Now for the past few days the
painting attracts hefty bids from nationals and Indians, as the market for painting in Oman is rising steadily.
“We don’t want to announce the highest bidder as several art-lovers have been visiting us since August 10, and we don’t want to disap¬point them. This is the only painting which we will auction highest price we reached is amazing,” organis¬ers of the exhibition said.
Through the centuries, the ultra-rich have chosen to invest a good part of their wealth in art and other col¬lectibles. Although putting
money into art may not be as straightforward as investing in bonds or equities, the world art market, which topped $22 bil-lion in sales last year, is attracting increasing interest.
There is no correlation between art and antiques prices and the equity markets, just as there is little correlation between different categories wjihiii the art market. Art prices continued their ascension in 2006 with sharp accelerations in most major markets.

There were 9.200 auctions of fme art worldwide last year compared to 9,600 in 2005.

August 12th, 2007 | Times of Oman | Musical Brush - With a stroke of his brush, Manav Gupta paints a picture with the rhythm from live music to enthral the audience during the fund raising events"

August 13th, 2007 | Oman Daily Observer | Catch young Indian artist live in action on 17th and 23rd

August 14th, 2007 | Oman Daily Observer | Business Features | Spotlight | He is trying to merge Art with Poetry

August 15th, 2007 | Times of Oman | Wishing India a great future as it celebrates it's Independence Day | A toast to India's unity and integrity

August 18th, 2007 | Oman Tribune | Manav Gupta portrays freedom on canvas

August, 2007 | Urbane | An artist par excellence

August 22nd, 2007 | Oman Mirror | Brush that listens

August 13th, 2007 | Times of Oman | Signature of Civilisation

August 17th, 2007 | Hi! In Focus | Painting Exhibition

August 12th, 2007 | Times of Oman | Bank Muscat presents a workshop: "Appreciating Art" conducted by Manav Gupta

August 19th, 2007 | Times Leisure | Taking Centrestage

August 7th, 2007 | Times of Oman | Generation Next Enthrals

August 15th, 2007 | The Week | Musical Interlude

August 12th, 2007 | Times of Oman | Painting exhibition opens today

Times News Service

Darwish Al Balushi to open the exhibition.

The Omani Society for Fine Art will host a 12 day exhibition of paintings by world-renowned artist-poet Manav Gupta. Darwish bin Ismail Al Balushi, secretary-general, Ministry of Finance will open the exhibition today.

The exhibition is being organized by Oman’s, leading event manager Light And Shadow Enterprises U.C. The event manager has teamed up with banking major Bank Muscat: to present this unique exhibition.

On Bank Muscat’s decision to present Manav Gupta’s painting exhibition. K. Gopakumar, General Manager for Wholesale Banking. BankMuscat said– ‘‘Today art is increasingly gaining importance the “world over, as an invaluable asset class As the leader in private hank-ing services in Oman. “We believe it is only right for us to be associated with something that appeals both to one’s sound aesthetic senses and sophisticated investment needs.‘ We hope this exhibition will help us share the strengths and opportunities of this emerging investment avenue with many of our CLIENTS NATIONWIDE. We have been a pioneer in bringing in new investment products and asset classes to Oman, and we believe this exhibition would help our clients lo explore the asset class. On the significance of painting exhibition..” Gopakumar said “the exhibition is a rare expression of marrying the beauty of nature to the inner brilliance of human soul. It helps investors to appreciate this asset-class better and to understand the nuance so that over a period of time they can start making investment.”

We are excited to join hands with Manav Gupta as Muscateers will experience a double whammy of his most sought after paintings. He is one-of the few leading young painters today with dexterity in exploring light and colour brilliantly with the most sensitive and delicate stroke play has fetched him rare critical acclaim from luminaries and critics and the media alike.” Rajeev Choudhary, managing director of Light-& Shadow, said.We are proud to bring this exciting art form by Manav Gupta to Muscat for the first time. It’s a great investment opportunity. Rajeev said. Manav’s – dexterity in exploring lightand colour brilliantly with the most sensitive and delicate stroke play has fetched him rare critical acclaim from luminaries-critics, and media and art aficionados alike .Veteran artist Paritosh Sen recommend strongly ‘ An excellent watercolourist who paints landscapes of great lyrical quality and beauty,”Hailed by Financial Times as one of India’s- 10 leading young
artists whose works would fetch you good returns Manav’sworks have been successfully auctioned by Christie’s. Bonham’s and other auction houses.
Manav has been commissioned to create his signature works that were presented as business leadership awards to industrialist Kumartnangalam Birla and Kamath of the Birla Group and ICICI, respectively.
Youngest member nominated by Defence Ministry on the Expert Committee forthe Republic Day celebrations of India his works have been exhibited across the globe in Europe , US and Australia especially regularly in New York. Melbourne and London Having exhibited globally his works have been showcased in Rashtrapati Bhavan
Invest In Art
Through the centuries. The ultra-rich have chosen to invest a good part of their wealth in art and other collectibles. Although putting money into an art may not be as straightforward as investment in bonds or equities, the art market, which topped $22 bil¬lion in sales, last year, is attracting increasing interest. There is no correlation between art and antiques prices and equity markets, just as there is little correlation between different categories within the art market.
Presenter: BankMuscat
Open from 9.30am to 1.30pm — 5.30pm
to 8.30pm
Venue: Omani Society for Fine As\% Date; August 12-23

August 19th, 2007 | Times of Oman | Performance Painter

The prospect of painting a troupe of  performing musicians before an audience would have perturbed most people, but artist Manav Gupta was serene.

“Other artists ask me if it makes me nervous” he smiled. “I just shut off what’s at my back. Painting is like being in love – you  forget the world.”

Manav is in Muscat for three  weeks, during which time he is showcasing a collection of works at  the Omani Society for Fine Arts, and painting musical ensembles for assembled spectators. The first live performance in the sultanate took place alongside a trio of classical Indian musicians (see opposite page). Manav has previously partici­pated in several other similar events in India. Collating music and painting in this way, which he described as “a confluence of art forms to create a new idiom”, is innovatory. “It was born out of the fact that nothing is static – everything is evolving, including art. “Installation art is a relatively new idiom in the West. Why should the East copy or imbibe Western idioms? I wanted to create a new idiom that originated in India.”

 

Manav was born in Calcutta but lives in Delhi. “It is a very vibrant place that is still open, with greenery and space, which impinges on my work.” He has recognized a similarly stimulating openness  in Muscat: his series of paintings exhibited at the Omani Society for Fine Arts, which opened on August 12, is intended as an ‘Ode to Oman’. Manav finds inspi­ration in nature, partly as a result of the influence of Shri Vasant Pandit, a veteran artist and family friend. “When I was one, he gave me a box of crayons and a book of paper. He became my gum; I was mesmerized when I listened to him. He taught  me about the beauties and subtleties of nature.”Learning is a continuous process, he added. Among the Western artists /whom he admires are Van Go^, for his passion; Klimt, for his composi­tions and intricate patterns; and Picasso, for his fierceness and raw creativity. In fact, Manav’s own works, which are sold and exhibited round the world, are often intensely, almost fiercely colourful. As well as the natural world, he has a fascina­tion with portraying eyes. “Art is a sensory experience,” he said.

Manav Gupta’s exhibition runs until August 23. For details about the next ‘Art on Stage* sessions, on August 17 and 23, call XXXXXXXXX

August 8th, 2007 | Times of Oman | Rakesh Chaurasia, Rahul Sharma, Vijay Ghate and Manav Gupta.

August 17th, 2007 | Times of Oman | Manav Gupta painting live to the tunes of the orchestra played by visually challenged artists and Nrityarutya - the Indian Contemporary Dance Company

August 23rd, 2007 | Times of Oman | Anup Jalota live with Manav Gupta. Hosted by Miss India 2007, Sara Jane.

Manav Gupta commissioned by Hitachi, Singapore for a Limited Edition Copyright of works for premiere plasma screens. Curated by Renu Rana.

Nov 2nd, 2007 | Hindustan Times | Artvistic

Oct 28th, 2007 | The Sunday Newsline | An Arty Pact

Catalogue: Manav is a watercolorist who combines strong poetic and narrative elements that make his work hugely compelling. He captures light and explores colour brilliantly with the most sensitive and delicate stroke play. He is one of the few watercolour painters today whose command of the medium and dexterity in exploring light and colour has fetched him rare critical acclaim from luminaries, critics and the media alike.

Christie's Auction, New Delhi | Nov 10th, 2006

Gupta has gone into a social drive to create works urging humankind to nurture the environment.

Hindustan Times | June 14th, 2006

Nature has a million answers. Even as I observe tree trunks, roots, branches, idling in some corner, to be burnt down as wood, it affords an excellent laboratory to the mind. It is exciting, sensuous and intoxicating. If one submits oneself to the form and the raw energy of the tree even when it can no longer bear fruit and leaves, one can see great poetry and lyricism in its intertwining branches and roots. The functional sculptures and paintings are a result of this experiment. The process takes over thereafter, but it is just an ode to nature's beauty.

Indian Designs & Interiors | The Ambient Canvas of Space | Pg 74-78

2006

Private Showing: London, Finnish Embassy, New Delhi

AUCTION - SALE : Christie’s, New Delhi December (2006),

PERMANENT COLLECTION, RASHTRAPATI BHAWAN

PERFORMANCE ART LIVE on stage in “jugalbandi” with Dr L.Subramaniam.
Sanatan Puraskar awarded by French Ambassador to India

  • Sanatan Kalakriti Puraskar 2006
  • Nov 01, 2006 | Sanatan Sangeet Sanskriti’s Samman Samaroh, 2006
  • November 10th 2006 | Christies – Lot 48 BID | Umbilical Cords of Clay, Air and Water Watercolour on Paper 60 x 48 inches
  • October 2006 | Indian Designs & Interiors | The Ambient Canvas of Space | Pg 74-78
  • January 2006 | Samvada | There’s more to Manav than Art and Poetry – Hindustan Times
  • November 2 2006 | India Today | Arty Strings | Nishita Bhatnagar
  • June 14 2006 | Hindustan Times | Natures Call | Sujata Shakeel
  • December 15 2006 | Darpan | Poetry on Canvas
  • December 2006 | Indian Designs & Interiors | Live Art
  • Dec 2006 | IDI Magazine | Around Town

Umbilical cords of earth, water clay

60 x 48 Inches
Watercolour on paper
DECEMBER 2006, DELHI
Lot No 35 : SOLD

Christies - New Delhi

Catalogue: Manav is a watercolorist who combines strong poetic and narrative elements that make his work hugely compelling. He captures light and explores colour brilliantly with the most sensitive and delicate stroke play. He is one of the few watercolour painters today whose command of the medium and dexterity in exploring light and colour has fetched him rare critical acclaim from luminaries, critics and the media alike. His artistic journey began in 1996 in Kolkata at the Birla Academy followed by the Taj Hotels in Kolkata and Delhi. Besides other shows in London, New York, Melbourne and India, his works have been showcased at the Ministry of Culture, the Roosevelt House, residence of the American Ambassador (2000), US Embassy, Leela Palace, Bangalore, HSBC, Delhi and recently at the Rashtrapati Bhawan and the Victoria Jones Gallery, London. His works can be found in several private and public collections in India and abroad, including the Parliament,the Rashtrapati Bhawan, the permanent collections of Birla Academy, Kolkata, Chitra Kala Parishad, Bangalore, Victoria Jones, London.

PERFORMANCE ART LIVE on stage in “jugalbandi” with Dr L.Subramaniam.

'Sanatan Kalakriti Puraskar' awarded by French Ambassador to India

June 14th, 2006 | Hindustan Times | Nature's Call: Manav Gupta's Paintings are currently part of a solo show at Victoria Jones Gallery, London |

Today | Interview | Featured Article: Manav Gupta

Delhi Times, The Times of India | Delhi is Talking About | A brush with the violin!

Today | Events | Arty Strings

Dec 2006 | IDI Magazine | Around Town

December 15 2006 | Darpan | Poetry on Canvas

October 2006 | Indian Designs & Interiors | The Ambient Canvas of Space | Pg 74-78

January 2006 | Asian Age New Delhi | Poetry Unites artists and writers.

2005

The Rashtrapati Bhawan, (President of India's House), India

Victoria Jones, London, Facet Books, New York, Lalit Kala Academy, New Delhi

ENVIRONMENT CONSCIOUSNESS AS PUBLIC ART PROJECTS

FIRST OF ITS KIND ONE MINUTE FILMS where the artist deployed his paintings, poetry, music, voice over to conceptualise and create public service messages for television on climate change, sustainable development, ecosystems, alternate energy.

Commissioned by Ministry of Environment & Forests, Govt. of India.

  • 2005 Penguin | The Life Tree | Poems and Paintings | A P J Abdul Kalam.
  • October 1-15 2005 | Sun City News | Perfect Strokes | Debanjana Choudhuri.
  • October 17 2005 | Asian Age New Delhi | Poetry Unites artists and writers.
  • December 26 2005 | Delhi Times | Call of Creativity.
  • November 2005 | First City | From Beyond – Watercolors by Manav Gupta.
  • 18th Nov 2005 | The Poetry Society India Invitation | PRESENCES :A dialogue in painting and poetry : Manav Gupta.

One Minute & Thirty Seconds Films on Climate Change, Sustainable Development, Earth and Biodiversity.

Commissioned by Ministry of Environment & Forests, Govt. of India.

The artist deployed his paintings, poetry, music, voice over to conceptualise and create public service messages for television on climate change, sustainable development, ecosystems, alternate energy.

Birds - "as dawn descends, dusk elopes"
One Minute & 30 Second English, Hindi and Bilingual

Umbilical Cords of the five elements
One Minute & 30 Second English, Hindi and Bilingual

Sustainable Development
One Minute & 30 Second English, Hindi and Bilingual

Trees
30 Second and One Minute Hindi, English and Bilingual

Manav Gupta short one minute films on environment consciousness by Manav Gupta

Alternate Energy
30 Second and One Minute Hindi, English and Bilingual

Manav Gupta short one minute films on environment consciousness by Manav Gupta

Other One Minute & 30 Seconds Films on Climate Change, Sustainable Development, Earth and Biodiversity.

Work with Dr A. P. J. Abdul Kalam. Former President of India

A book of poems by Dr. A. P. J. Abdul Kalam, former President of India and Paintings by Manav Gupta. Published by Penguin.

The Life Tree

A book of poems by Dr. A. P. J. Abdul Kalam, former President of India and Paintings by Manav Gupta. Published by Penguin.

Exhibition: Engagement with Students, Stakeholders of Society & Educational institutions.

Hosted by the Rashtrapati Bhawan. Inaugurated by Dr. A. P. J. Abdul Kalam.

November 2005 | First City | From Beyond – Watercolors by Manav Gupta.

December 26 2005 | Delhi Times | Call of Creativity.

October 17 2005 | Asian Age New Delhi | Poetry Unites artists and writers.

Lectures Talks Workshops: Plant a Sapling on my Canvas

Engagement with People. Maruti Udyog.

October 1-15 2005 | Sun City News | Perfect Strokes | Debanjana Choudhuri.

Nothing Careless About The Whisper | "An artist who looks beyond himself, Manav Gupta's sensitivity is reflected in his latest works"

HT City, Hindustan Times | April 16th, 2003

Mass Teacher - For artist Manav Gupta, art is about engaging with people.

The Pioneer | 2003

Plant a Sapling on my Canvas. Dr I. K. Gujral, former PM of India paints on Gupta's painting at his exhibition.

Society | 2003

2003-2004

Plant a Sapling on my Canvas

The Park Hotel, Delhi, for the artist‟s exposition on environment consciousness

Commissioned by former President of India, Dr A.P.J. Abdul Kalam and Penguin India, for engaging his art with Dr. Kalam’s poetry on myriad themes later published as a book by Penguin Viking “THE LIFE TREE”, Also in other publications.(Project Period: 2002-2005)

  • January 2004 | Profile | Scaling New Heights | Kishore Singh | Business Standard
  • 2004 | Tell Me Ma ! | Poems by Shiela Gujral, Illustrations by Manav Gupta | Author- Shiela Gujral | ISBN 81-7764-507-2
  • July 2003 | Society | Page 21 | Events of the month | Manav Gupta’s Exhibition on World Environment Day
  • June 9th 2003 | HT City | Brushtalk on Rainforests: Elemental by Nature | Meenakshi Kumar
    August 1st 2003 | Femina | “To mark the world environment day, painter Manav Gupta created a series of paintings, ‘Rainforests on my eyot’ at The Park, New Delhi. Seen here Chief Minister Sheila Dixit wielding the paintbrush (on Manav’s canvas)” | Events
  • Delhi Times Entertainment Plus (Special Edition ) | “Intimate Whispers on my Eyot, the recent exhibition of Manav Gupta is about love- the sensuality of the gaze- the timeless metaphors of dreams, the soft caress of awakening dawn and the receding dusk immersed in the romance of water colours.” Habiart Gallery Till September 4
  • April 15th 2003 | HT City | All for The Girl-Child: A Mix of Music and Art | Barsha Nag Bhowmick
  • April 16th 2003 | HT City | Mudgal’s Music, Gupta’s Art: A concert with a heart | Somashukla Sinha Walunjkar
  • April 26th 2003 | Delhi Times | Fashion With Passion | Gupta’s collaboration with Satya Paul | Delhi is Talking about.
  • June 2003 | Times Of India | Artist Manav Gupta has brought a series of paintings on nature.|
  • August 2003 | Hindustan Times | Vinita Faridi | Nothing Careless About The Whisper |
  • April 12, 2003 |Times of India |Amitaha jugalbandi
  • Feb 08, 2003 |Times Of India | Picture Perfect |
  • Till September 4 | Times of india | Intimate Whispers, Habiart Gallery |
  • 2002/2003 |The Times Of India | Poetry In A Pub | Loveleen Kakkar

First Artist in Residence at the Rashtrapati Bhawan

The Pioneer | Vivacity | Mass Teacher - For artist Manav Gupta, art is about engaging with people. | Vivacity, Featured: Art Affair

July 2003 | Society | Page 21 | Events of the month | "Plant a Sapling on my Canvas" | Manav Gupta’s Exhibition on World Environment Day. Pictured: Manav Gupta and Dr I. K. Gujral, Former Prime Minister of India

June 9th 2003 | HT City | Brushtalk on Rainforests: Elemental by Nature | Meenakshi Kumar

August 2003 | Hindustan Times | Nothing Careless About The Whisper | "An artist who looks beyond himself, Manav Gupta's sensitivity is reflected in his latest works" | Vinita Faridi

January 2004 | Business Standard | Profile | Scaling New Heights | Kishore Singh

April 16th 2003 | HT City, Hindustan Times | Mudgal’s Music, Gupta’s Art: A concert with a heart | Somashukla Sinha Walunjkar

April 12th 2003 | Delhi Times, Times of India | Manav Gupta's painting auctioned for the Amitasha, an NGO working for underprivileged girls.

April 15th 2003 | HT City | All for The Girl-Child: A Mix of Music and Art | Barsha Nag Bhowmick

2003 | Delhi Times Entertainment Plus (Special Edition ) | “Intimate Whispers on my Eyot, The recent exhibition of Manav Gupta is about love- the sensuality of the gaze- the timeless metaphors of dreams, the soft caress of awakening dawn and the receding dusk immersed in the romance of water colours.” Habiart Gallery Till September 4

April 26th 2003 | Delhi Times, Times of India | Fashion With Passion | Gupta’s collaboration with Satya Paul | Delhi is Talking about.

2003 |The Times Of India | Poetry In A Pub | Loveleen Kakkar

All his landscapes, portraits and abstracts even, are dreamy, fluid, almost honeyed. The use of colours is excellent, the paintings all interestingly titled, give definite direction to the spectators’ interpretation. Although far from radical, the work shows individuality.

First City | April, 2002

In Perfect Consonance With Nature’s Figures. Manav Gupta is one of the most prolific painters that we have today.

HT City, Hindustan Times | April 6th, 2002

There is also a series of perspective called Windows- Freeze - Frames of Nature as seen through a running train, in fluid lyrical colours.  ‘It is not a clinical representation of nature of a landscape, it goes beyond the obvious.” is how Gupta describes his works.

City Express, Bangalore | 2002

2002

The Leela Palace, Bangalore, HSBC New Delhi, India International Centre, New Delhi

First artist in residence at the Rashtrapati Bhawan

Invited by the former President of India, Dr A.P.J. Abdul Kalam to translate “A National Prayer” as a painting.

AUCTION of work created out of LIVE “jugalbandis”

Translating Leadership as a concept on canvas: Commissioned by Times of India and Amity Foundation for two specially conceived works on leadership conceptualised by the artist as awards to Mr. Kumarmangalam Birla and Mr. K.V. Kamath.

  • November 2002 | Society | A brush with the President
  • April 2002 | First City | Umbilical Cords of Earth | April 2002 | First City | Manav Gupta | The artist is stubbornly watercolourist
  • April 6 2002 | HT CITY, Hindustan Times | In Perfect Consonance with Nature’s figures | Meeta Mishra
  • April 23 2002 | Financial Times | There is Big Money in Art | Sanjay Kumar Singh
    2002 | Deccan Herald | Medium Matters
  • June 8 2002 | City Express | Lyrical Landscapes
  • Bangalore Times | Dancing to the Beat of Poetry | Nayare Ali
  • Today – “The Capital’s Afternoon Newspaper” | Now, a Brush with Birla | Vanita Singh
  • June 2002 | Swagat | Calendar Of Events| Art exhibition of paintings by Manav Gupta comprising the series “Foliage, Figure, Intimate Whispers |
  • Today | From Pen to Palatte | Gupta and Kalam | 2002
  • June 8 2002 | City Express Bangalore | Ram Jeth Malani and Shatrugan Sinha Inaugurate Manav Gupta’s Pururupa: Sense to Essence” | Leela Palace Bangalore | Lyrical Landscapes
  • June 2002 | The Bangalore Age | Ram Jeth Malani and Shatrugan Sinha Inaugurate Manav Gupta’s art exhibition.
  • June 10 2002 | City Express Bangalore | Painter Poet Philosopher
  • June 2002 | The Times of India | Magic and Art | MP Shatrugan Sinha and Former Law Minister Ram Jeth Malani Inaugurate Gupta’s show at the Leela Palace
  • June 9th 2002 | City Reporter | Many forms – Unmodified Nature
  • Nov26-Dec2, 2002 |Neighbourhood Flash Magazine | Romancing With Earth And Eyes |
  • 2002 | Paintings by Manav Gupta | Sparks | Shiela Gujral | ISBN 81-7764-351-7

June 2002 | The Times of India | Magic and Art | MP Shatrugan Sinha and Former Law Minister Ram Jeth Malani Inaugurate Gupta’s show at the Leela Palace

June 2002 | The Bangalore Age | Ram Jeth Malani and Shatrugan Sinha Inaugurate Manav Gupta’s art exhibition.

June 8 2002 | City Express Bangalore | Ram Jeth Malani and Shatrugan Sinha Inaugurate Manav Gupta’s Pururupa: Sense to Essence” | Leela Palace

Today – “The Capital’s Afternoon Newspaper” | Now, a Brush with Birla | Vanita Singh

Bangalore Times | Dancing to the Beat of Poetry | Nayare Ali

June 8 2002 | City Express | Lyrical Landscapes

June 2002 | Swagat | Calendar Of Events | Art exhibition of paintings by Manav Gupta comprising the series “Foliage, Figure, Intimate Whispers

Vol 55, No 173, 2002 | Deccan Herald | Medium Matters

October 2002 | Society Interiors | A Capital Event

April 6 2002 | HT CITY, Hindustan Times | In Perfect Consonance with Nature’s figures

By Neeta Mishra

In Perfect Consonance With Nature’s Figures

MANAV GUPTA is one of the most prolific painters that we have today. He is exhibiting his latest body of work at various art galleries  in the capital  starting with Studio for  Contemporary Art from April 5 and rounding  off at Hotel Ashoka onApril :30

All the works that Manav plans to include in these back to back exhibitions will be different at different    venues though they follow the same theme – nature, eyes and figures. isn’t it difficult to think of a ne’concept every! mutor a new canvas

Ask him and he shrugs  it oil with an expected answer: “When you have an. Manav Gupta says he Is “never short of new Ideas for his art works idea and there is so much you want to interpret, it is not difficult to put it on canvas. I have been working on this serif’s which is called Foliage. Figures, Intimate Conversations In Water Colo­urs ” What really helped  Manav was the fact that he was a member of the expert committee of Ministry of Defense for Republic Day. because wherever he went, he drew rough sketches of the surroundings. “My travels to the hills provided me an opportunity to capture the essence and purity of the environment.” says Ma nav A graduate of Science from Presidency College. Kolkata. Manav was a cor­porate man until six years ago when he decided to hold his first exhibition

Obviously, there’s been no looking back since ■

April 2002 | First City | Manav Gupta - The artist is stubbornly water-colourist.

The artist is the “stubbornly watercolour” kind. All his landscapes, portraits and abstracts even, are dreamy, fluid, almost honeyed. The use of colours is excellent, the paintings all interestingly titled, give definite direction to the spectators’ interpretation. Although far from
radical, the work shows individuality. The techniques used are simple and the colours are invariably delightful. A black monochrome of a woman’s face is especially, pleasantly old-fashioned, elegant and appropriately titled, Arousing Romance

2002 | Hindustan Times | HT City | Poetic Strokes On Harmony

By Vinita Faridi

IN Normal circumstance it wo­uld have appeared clichéd. but in times such as the present, when the Kashmir Valley is on fire and the land of the Mahatma has seen communal hatred like never be­fore. it becomes imperative to reit­erate the teachings of the man who made ahimsa his religion. Tr­ying in his own small way is artist Manav Gupta, who has interpreted President APJ Abdul Kalam’s poem in a watercolour that is displayed in the President’s office side his chair.

“The making of this painting has been a learning experience for me on a personal le\-el.** says Gup­ta of the painting in which three thoughts have been presented in panels. The first part celebrates the birth of the new nation, with the tricolour flying on the Red.

Then comes the communal frenzy in the wake of the Partition. with Gandhiji going to Noa-Khali to meet the aggrieved people. Finally, folded hands pray to Cod to make religious leaders lead the nation into sanity
“I sorted on the work about 10 days ago, and want to spread a message all Indians in general, and children in particular, on the occasion of Gandhi Jayanti.”

Such endeavors are not new to Gupta. Last month he made a ser­ies of paintings to illustrates Shiela Gujral’s poems, which were displayed at the lie. Before that he had held a work­ Shop on the interaction of  per forming and visual arts in Banga­lore. And this painting is only the first of a series of paintings that he plans on the message of love and peace. While he is not talking about his plans, most likely these too will materialize in a book to be released on Children’s Day beca­use  Gupta says, “children are our future and they need to learn to live in harmony with one another.

Manav Gupta has interpreted President APJ Abdul Kalam’s poem in a watercolour painting

June 10, 2002 | City Express | Painter, Poet, Philosopher

By Anupama Bijur

WHEN When the US Ambassador to  India decided to host an exhibition of Manav Gupta’s watercolours at his residence for two days little did he know that once  Gupta moved in with his works of art it would be hard to dislodge him either from the premises of from peoples’ minds. It is the universalities of his water colours that had the  Ambassador’s guests making a beeline for Gupta’s canvases This month Bangloreans  will experience Gupta’s first exhibition in South India Travelling To Sense Of  an Essence Prathirupa Pururupa” which was inaugurated at the Leela Palace on June 9 Painter  Poet Philosopher Gupta captions his many layered paintings with original verses penned by him.

”When I had taken care of all my responsibilities towards my family I finally started painting”

This long suppressed desire to paint when finally fulfilled, has translated into a passion that’s potently obvious in Gupta’s watercolors, in Images of rainforests.

There is also a series of perspective called Windows- Freeze – Frames of Nature as seen through a running train, in fluid lyrical colours

 ‘It is not a clinical representation of nature of a landscape, it goes beyond the obvious.” is how Gupta describes his works. In bis paintings on the rainforest. Gupta experiments wi1h filtering light effectcisand the result is similar to  that experienced  by a bird as it flies towards an expanse of trees. In this Gupta’s canvases are unique  because they are not inert the compositions almost having the quality of a moving picture The faces on the other hand are Juxtaposed. on a background with seamless, eloquent space. I’ve explored the chemistry that exists in the white space.” Says Gupta

2002 | Today | Vanita Singh | From Pen to Palatte | Delhi-based Artist Manav Gupta tells us how he put paint and brush to a poem by the President

By Vanita Singh

WHAT WOULD  you do if you had to paint the Words of the President Of India? Well you would Paint a pretty picture. That’s exactly what artist  Manav Gupta did. Gupta interpreted The National Prayer, a poem penned by the President APJ Abdul Kalam, in his painting.

“The painting has three phases with respect To the three phases of the poem,” says Gupta Who has also interpreted the poems by Sheila Gujral and designed her book,Sparks.Kalam’s poem is about the celebrations following India’s independence, the Mahatma Gandhi led Bengal peace walk at the same time and a prayer for the nation.

According to Gupta, the poem is very relevant  To the contemporary times. Sample these lines from Kalam’s The National Prayer

“The grand proof of birth of independent India In that mid night, the flag of the ruler of two Centuries lowered The tri-colour Indian flag flaps in the Red Fort…”

“The painting is placed besides the President’s  chair, on a side board in his office.”

 Says Gupta explaining the geography of Kalam’s office. It all started when the artist went with Gujral to present her collection of poems to Kalam. ”He took a look at my works and thought I could do justice to his poem. He asked me to interpret the poem in form of a painting, ”beams  Gupta who still treasures the draft of the poem sent To him by Kalam. Gupta has been painting since his childhood

 When as a token of appreciation Kalam offered Gupta to choose from his three books Gupta picked his autobiography. According to our sources Kalam and Gupta might come up with a book relating to this poem and the painting very soon. When we know more we would tell you.

His passion for nature knows no bounds. A painter with a vision and a mission, Manav Gupta has indeed carved out his own niche amid the cluster of painters in India today.

Neighbourhood Flash | Nov, 2000

He calls his Watercolors “forlorn fantasies of the mind," but there’s more to Manav Gupta than palette and paintbrush. Like creating functional sculptures with recycled roots of trees.

HT City, Hindustan Times | Feb 24, 2001

In his 'Acquiesce' series, Artist Manav Gupta shows his detailed experiments with watercolours. He explores their entire scope: from the enigmatic opaqueness to its reckless fluidity.

First City | February 26th 2001

2000-2001

The Roosevelt House, U.S. Ambassador’s residence, New Delhi. PERMANENT COLLECTION, Roosevelt House, United States Ambassador to India

Expert Committee member, National Republic Day Celebrations

Youngest member on formative advisory panel on Museum of Natural History, Government of India.
Dep. of Culture, H.R.D. Ministry, Govt of India

Youngest member to be nominated on Expert Committee, National Republic Day Celebrations

  • February 26th 2001 | First City | Manav Gupta’s Exhibition at the Roosevelt house
  • February 24 2001 | Self Taught Painter of Many Colours
  • February 2001 | First City | Manav Gupta’s Exhibition at the Roosevelt house
  • February 2001 | Inside Outside | Colours That Speak
  • February 2001 | Around Town | Art and the Artist
  • March 03, 2001 | Hindustan Times | Shelly Anand | Timeless Metaphors Of Dreams
  • March 1st 2001 | Delhi Times | The Countdown has begun
  • March 9, 2001 | The Statesman | Art for Gujarat

February 26th 2001 | First City | Manav Gupta’s Exhibition at the Roosevelt house

1999-2000 | Gupta's works hosted at the office of Joint Secretary, Dep. of Culture, H.R.D. Ministry, Govt of India | "Manav Gupta is the first young painter to have his work displayed in the office of the Joint Secretary (Culture) S. Satyamurthy. It is the Human resource Development Ministry’s attempt to showcase the country’s emerging art talent." Painting it his way- Hindustan Times, HT Sunday Magazine, September 5th, 1999. | Invited for Gupta's preview: Pictured: Sabina Sehgal Saikia, Editor Delhi Times, Souresh Bhattacharya, Editor HT City, Hindustan Times, Major General A. K. Dasgupta, Uma Sharma, Renowned Kathak Dancer, Y S Rajan, Renowned Indian professor, scientist and administrator. Hosted by S Satyamurthy, Joint Secretary (Culture)

Youngest member to be part of the Expert Committee, National Republic Day Celebrations, (Ministry of Defence, Govt of India)

Nov -Dec 2000 | Neighbourhood Flash | Romancing With Earth And Eyes

Music is the soul of his paintings. He romances with  Earth and Eyes. His passion for nature knows no bounds. His fingers nimble deftly on the canvas to project the myriad forms of it. “My own humble way to serve the environment,” he says. A painter with a vision and a mission, Manav Gupta has indeed carved out his own niche amid the cluster of painters in India today.

His early years were spent in Calcutta in what can be called the green haven of the city, the National Library Campus. On every little opportunity he Mt Manav would escape into me wilderness of the mountains. So his association with his first love nature is as old as probably he is. As romanticism grew, ‘eyes’ came. The mystic around eyes has always fascinated him. So he tries to captures the whole beholding ambience in its full resplendence, trates on watercolors, “because though difficult to work with, they] have limitless potential,” he says. He received training under the‘ renowned nature artist Guru Sri Vasant Pandit. The next show was in Taj, which has supported Manav s talent all through “As appreciation grew more and more people in Delhi started coming to witness my works. Delhi appeared to be much more viable and so we shifted here,” he said.

Two years ago my solo at Taj Palace was a very satisfying experience US Ambassador’s wife Jacqueline Conkquestinaugurated it It pulled a very strong audience from Delhi. Ministry of Culture approached me and I had my work on dis­play within their premises for about a year. Glow cultural associations, corporate houses all to my work. Most of it was taken as bulk gifts to their employees,” remarked Manav hands are perfect not only at painting but other artistic jobs as well Rot Iron stuff made by him has decorated the interi­ors of many South Delhi houses want a complete arty ambience so I have done some interiors as well,” he said. One of his patrons Amol Pramanik is dedi­cating a gallery to his work in Sydney. Manav is all set for a major show there next year.

Supported all through by his wife, his parents and the warmth and encouragement of his buyers, Manav goes ahead dauntless. “Art is now happen­ing. It is at a point where it should get more recognition professionally. As consumerism is increasing lifestyles are fast changing. I have young buyers who want to pick up small paintings, a phenomenon absent about five years back. So art should get more recognition. Corporate houses, PSUs etc. who support sports persons excelling in their fields should now come forward and support artists as well. Artists play a great role as cultural ambassa­dors. This too should be recognised.

Feb 24, 2001| HT City, Hindustan Times | Self taught Painter Of Many Colours

By Archana Khare Pant

He calls his Watercolors “forlorn fantasies of the mind,” but there’s more to Manav Gupta than palette and paintbrush. Like creating functional sculptures with recycled roots of trees. Or wrought-iron showpieces resembling similar artifacts from Bastar. Still, painting is Manav’s first love. “I love travelling and what I observe stays in my mind. Later, when 1 paint, I pick the images that app-ealed most,” says the Calcuttan who moved to this city two years back “to gain better exposure”. But you see only some of the products of this creative churning in his living room; the rest have gone to Roosevelt House, the U.S Ambassador’s residence, for a two-day show opening on Monday. The ambassador’s wife, Jacqueline Lundquist, is an admirer of his work.

The absence of any formal training hasn’t stopped Manav from becoming a full-time artist. “It has given me a chance to experiment,” he says. “I work with themes and the two 1 have used extensively are Aqueous Eyes’ and ‘Earth’. I have Just created, quite aptly, an entire Aqueous Eye’ collection for the Bausch & Lomb office in Gurgaon.

“I’ve tried to show that translucent eyes form a see-through image of an individual,” explains Manav. Most of these paint­ings are monochromes on yellow-tinted paper, his personal choice. The ‘Earth’ series is more colourful with saffron, blue and black used liberally. And for most of his paintings, he does­n’t restrict himself to just a brush. “I also use my fingers and nails to get a variable effect,” he says.

If Manav has all the time in the world, it’s because his wife, Sudeshna, an excellent administrator, manages his work al­ong with their son and home. “I always have my hands full,” she says. “And now with my son, Soham, beginning to paint I have more than I had asked for,” she says. Chips in Manav; “I’m the misunderstood gene of the family who took up paint­ing much to the consternation of my parents. But Soham has his genes right” Well Manav’s genetic composition didn’t stop him from becoming what his parents feared he would. 

February 2001 | Around Town | Art and the Artist

With his knack for seeing the ‘unseen’, Manav pours colours on his canvas and creates ‘functional sculptures’ that have a stunning presence. He has major solo and group shows lined up in the city’s eminent galleries, in the winter-spring of 2001 (at Roosevelt House on Feb 26- 27 £r Habitat Centre Mar 9-13).

February 2001 | Inside Outside | Colours That Speak

Manav Giipta will display his paintings in New Delhi at Roosevelt House, US Embassy on the 26th and 27th of February. The show will be hosted by the US Ambassador HH Mr. Richard Celeste and his wife  Ms. Jacqueline Lindquist. The show will then move to the Habitat Centre from the 8th to the I3th of March, 2001.

March 9th, 2001 | The Statesman | Art for Gujurat

Immense tragedies overpower all regardless of their stature and fortitude. When the Gujarat quake struck, it sent shock waves throughout the world. Relief has poured in from the Four ’corners of the globe. The wounds are slowly healing but there is a lot to be done.
Jacqueline Lundquist, US Ambassador Richard Celeste’s wife, hosted an exhibition of paintings by three artists to raise funds for Umang Charitable Society at the Roosevelt House.

Lundquist, has successfully, opened their official residence to the public as much as possible. She is known for her love for India and its art and craft. “I have a soft corner for promoting anything that is Indian. And when there is a charitable cause attached lo it, it becomes all the more dear to me,” she said. The exhibition, being held in a house was more intimate and had a different feel about it.
Manav Gupta, Priya Singh and Sheyna Baig put up their works for sale to aid the children in Gujarat. Around 60 paintings were exhibited, and a considerable amount of them sold. Manav who uses different layers of materials like paper; leaves and jute to create an ethereal effect, said, “I think that paintings should always be positive. They should cheer up the patrons.” Like her, Sheyna’s paintings are full of hope. An art teacher, she paints children for she finds them ‘inspiring’ and feels that ever.’’- one can relate to them. On the other hand, Manav Gupta is more into painting landscapes and portraits. On trip to the North East, he brought back strong recollections of the mildewed hills, and they have materialized on his canvases. He also painted a portrait of Lundquist for her birthday, aptly titled ‘The Celeb With ‘a Cause’. The portrait was later auctioned. Priya Singh, the third artist, who paints in “phases’ had portrayed ‘the; woman’. One of Priya’s painting, ‘Bride in Waiting’, was bought by Jacqueline Lundquist. “The best part is that I won’t need to take it off the wall.” quipped Jacqueline. But she added. “Well maybe, one day..