Panchadhara: Traversing Distinct Artistic Terrains

‘Panchadhara’ brings together the works of five artists from different regions of India- Dilip Kumar Sasmal, Soumendra Sarkar, and Shashwati Sarkar from Kolkata, Pradip Kumar Jha from Mumbai and Anushree Kayal from Bengaluru at Karnataka Chitrakala Parishath, Bangalore. Through paintings and prints, the exhibition unfolds as a confluence of diverse artistic voices, each rooted in personal experience, cultural memory and a distinctive visual language. While their practices differ in medium, technique and thematic concerns, they collectively create a rich dialogue between nature, identity, tradition, memory and contemporary existence.

Pradip Kumar Jha’s woodcuts and emboss prints are deeply influenced by the tribal culture and traditions he experienced during his childhood in Sanhouli village. His works draw from the visual richness of indigenous life, where folklore, rituals and the rhythms of nature become recurring sources of inspiration. The tactile quality of his prints, achieved through the physical process of carving and embossing, lends them a powerful material presence. Rhythmic patterns, simplified forms and symbolic imagery evoke a world shaped by collective memory and cultural continuity. A student of the renowned printmaker Shyam Sharma, Jha humbly acknowledges the influence of his mentor, yet his works remain firmly grounded in his own lived experiences and artistic sensibility.

Dilip Kumar Sasmal’s paintings, executed in gouache and acrylic, present a symbolic universe populated by owls, chameleons, frogs, horses and other evocative forms. These recurring motifs function as metaphors for transformation, adaptability, wisdom, resilience and the complex relationship between humans and their environment. Moving fluidly between the real and the imagined, his compositions weave together elements of nature and social commentary. Beneath their vibrant surfaces lies a thoughtful reflection on humanity, evolution, ecological concerns and socio-political realities. His works invite viewers to navigate multiple layers of meaning while engaging with the visual delight of colour, form and narrative symbolism.

A particularly engaging aspect of Panchadhara is the presence of the husband-and-wife duo, Soumendra Sarkar and Shashwati Sarkar, whose works reveal both shared sensibilities and distinct artistic identities. While each artist has developed an independent visual language, their mutual affinity for mixed media and collage creates subtle points of connection. Fragments of textiles and paper cut-outs appear in both their works, enriching the surface with texture, memory and narrative. Their artworks demonstrate how two artists sharing a life can draw from similar material vocabularies while arriving at remarkably different visual and emotional destinations.

Soumendra Sarkar’s works radiate energy through bold, vivid colours and layered compositions. Employing mixed media and collage, he creates dynamic visual terrains where memories, emotions, ideas, uncertainties and aspirations coexist. Pieces of textile and paper become integral to his compositions, adding depth and complexity to the painted surface. His canvases function as psychological landscapes, capturing the flow of thought and the fragmented nature of lived experience. Through his vibrant palette and layered imagery, with brocade pattern peeping in here and there, Soumendra transforms personal reflections into universal narratives that resonate with contemporary life.

In contrast, Shashwati Sarkar’s paintings offer a quieter and more contemplative experience. Her intimate compositions explore the delicate dialogue between nature and human perception. Sensitive colour relationships, subtle textures and carefully balanced forms create spaces of stillness and reflection. Small fragments of paper often emerge unexpectedly from within the painted surface, blending seamlessly with the composition and inviting closer observation. Her works encourage viewers to pause and discover beauty in subtle details, where ordinary moments are transformed into poetic visual meditations.

Anushree Kayal’s works are marked by an intimate and deeply personal visual language. Her recurring self-representation transforms the female figure into both subject and storyteller, creating narratives that feel autobiographical yet universally relatable. Women appear reclining, resting, sitting, working or simply inhabiting their surroundings, embodying states of contemplation, resilience and belonging. Nature is not merely a backdrop in her works but an active presence, intimately connected with the human experience. Delicate interventions inspired by embroidery, stitching and textile traditions introduce an additional layer of meaning and texture, connecting themes of memory, labour, femininity and care. These subtle elements enrich her drawings and paintings, lending them a tactile sensitivity while blurring the boundaries between fine art and craft.

Together, the five artists of Panchadhara create a compelling visual journey through multiple artistic approaches and lived experiences. Their works traverse diverse mediums and themes, yet remain connected through a shared engagement with nature, memory, identity and cultural inheritance, their individual voices converging to form a vibrant, ever evolving landscape of expression and immersive artistic experience.

The exhibition was inaugurated by veteran artist Shri CS Krishna Setty, former Chairperson of Lalit Kala Akademi, New Delhi. The exhibition will remain on view until 7 June 2026.

Cover image: Dilip Kumar Sasmal’s works