The Art by Dr Ved Prakash Bhardwaj - HTML preview

The Art

forms. What drew you to abstraction?

gained respect, and parents increasingly see artistic Himmat Shah: I primarily work with clay, and

careers as viable, just like medicine or engineering.

I allow the material to guide the form. If I discover The international recognition of Indian art has also a shape emerging from the clay that fascinates me, I contributed to this transformation.

develop it further. Abstraction was never a deliberate Art has always been essential to human life,

choice; it was simply a natural progression.

and even when everything else fades, art remains.

My focus has always been on the visual Creativity is intrinsic to us. Even small children experience: does the form evoke a sense of joy? Clay instinctively shape birds and peacocks from leaves and is flexible and constantly offers new possibilities, and I grass. The world is full of beauty, and as artists, we are prefer to embrace the beauty that emerges rather than here to celebrate and express it. With new materials and impose rigid forms upon it.

technologies, artists today are doing incredible work,

Today, your work is being widely collected,

and the possibilities in art have never been greater.

and galleries are showing considerable interest.

Your terracotta sculptures have a unique

However, there was a time when your work remained sensitivity, musicality, and poetic quality—

unsold. How do you perceive this shift?

something rarely seen in contemporary works using Himmat Shah: It feels good. The art scene modern materials. Why is that?

has evolved alongside economic growth. People now Himmat Shah: The essence of it lies in the

have the means to appreciate and collect art. Earlier, nature of clay itself. Clay is a deeply personal and direct artists were barely recognized. Doctors, lawyers, medium; it responds to the artist’s touch and emotions.

and engineers were valued, while artists were often It is soft, pliable, and allows for endless possibilities.

dismissed. Families discouraged their children from When I work with clay, there comes a moment when it pursuing art because they feared it offered an uncertain feels as though the clay has its own heartbeat. I never future.

work from pre-made drawings or moulds. I shape

Today, that perception has changed. Art has

my forms directly, responding to the sensitivity of 47

The Art

the material. That is why I do not enjoy working with Earlier, art was naturally woven into everyday

graphics; they lack that organic connection.

life. Embroidered textiles, handcrafted objects, and clay You have also been involved with literature

figurines were common. In places such as Rajasthan and writing, and your work carries a musical quality.

and Kutch, people painted murals on their homes and How do you see the relationship between different created relief work. These traditions reflect an inherent art forms?

artistic sensibility.

Himmat Shah: I have always been deeply

In urban life, paintings often receive more

engaged with literature, especially poetry. Hindi poetry appreciation than crafts. Why do you think this is?

is rich, and through translations we now have access Himmat Shah: That is changing. Crafts are now

to extraordinary works from different languages. The gaining recognition, and a strong market is emerging.

new generation of writers is experimenting in exciting Many painters have also started exploring crafts ways.

because of this shift. Today, art is a viable profession; Music and theatre also influence me profoundly.

many artists are earning well and living comfortably.

At times, my work is shaped by poetry; at other times, Financial stability has also improved the quality by music. My drawings, in particular, have a strong of artistic work. When artists struggle financially, many musicality. Everything I read, hear, or see finds its way of their creative abilities remain suppressed. Economic into my work in some form.

support allows them to explore and develop their full I believe that an artist creates a work of art in potential.

much the same way that a mother gives birth to a child.

Do you still have a dream project you wish to There is a similar organic process of creation.

accomplish?

Public art in India often seems limited to

Himmat Shah: At this stage, I simply want to

statues of political figures and decorative fountains.

rest. Age and health no longer allow me to work as I What are your thoughts on this?

once did. For the past five or six years, I have not created Himmat Shah: True public art is still missing in anything new. In fact, I no longer even consider myself India. We have yet to develop a proper understanding an artist.

of environmental art—of how art can be placed within But moving to Jaipur—wasn’t that motivated

a space in a way that enhances its surroundings. There by a specific artistic purpose?

is very little awareness of what constitutes beauty in Himmat Shah: No, there was no specific

a public setting and how that environment can be purpose. I wanted peace, and I did not want to live in enriched through art.

Delhi anymore. Rajasthan appeals to me because of In contrast, countries such as the United States its rich artistic heritage. Its monuments, palaces, and and those in Europe have invested in meaningful craftsmanship inspire me. There is a sense of space and public art, with renowned artists creating exceptional tranquillity, as well as a raw beauty in Rajasthan that is works. Even in these countries, statues of political absent in Delhi.

leaders exist, but they are often executed with artistic The scarcity of resources in Rajasthan has also

integrity.

shaped its art. Its architecture—the mud and stone I

n India, most political statues are poorly crafted.

houses, the landscape, and the way of life—all feel like However, there have been some noteworthy efforts.

poetry. That is what draws me there.

Vadodara, for example, saw some good work because People often expect clear meaning in art.

its Maharaja invited talented artists from abroad, How much importance do you give to meaning in helping to establish a tradition of fine craftsmanship.

your work?

Do you think art is accepted in society? Do

Himmat Shah: I do not believe that art should

art and society influence each other?

have a direct or literal meaning. If art is required to Himmat Shah: Art should be an integral part

explain something clearly, it becomes mere illustration.

of life. When people engage with art, they develop a Art should be experienced and enjoyed. I do not create deeper sense of beauty, and this enriches their lives.

art to convey a message or bring about change. The Today, more people are displaying paintings and purpose of art, for me, is to bring inner joy. No great drawings in their homes, even if they can afford only transformation necessarily comes from art; its true prints.

role is to touch the soul and elevate the spirit.

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