Captivated by art

‘Metamorphosis - In pursuit of life’, the fourth art exhibition by Rohan Pai Dhungat demonstrates how the world of art can help transform a person’s life

| MAY 22, 2018, 07:40 PM IST
Captivated by art

BHARATI PAWASKAR


Does it sound odd, to receive an invite from the Inspector General of Prisons along with the Superintendent and staff of the Modern Central Jail, Colvale for an exhibition of paintings, artifacts and articles made by the inmates of this jail? Not, if the paint brush is that of Rohan Pai Dhungat, one of their inmates. Helping in reforming inmates, the jail authorities have offered people like Rohan, a second chance to piece together their shattered lives and undergo a metamorphosis. In Rohan’s case, half the credit goes to the late Sister Mary Jane of Prison Ministry of India who successfully moulded the lives of many and helped them become better human beings.   

“I am just one of her many productive outputs,” admits Rohan who is now exhibiting his fourth painting exhibition – Metamorphosis - in pursuit of life which also happens to be his second solo exhibition. After opening his account in 2011 with Beyond Barriers which was an initiative of prison management, which he participated in twice, Rohan went on to exhibit his first solo show Phoenix in 2016.   

With acrylic on canvas Rohan paints vividly the many colours of life depicting ‘Pink Flower’ to ‘White Tiger’, ‘Cracked Buddha’ to ‘Tower of Peace’, ‘Ganesh’ to ‘Lotus Lady’, ‘Eagle’ to ‘Birds of Paradise’ and ‘Jesus’ to ‘Krishna’. He has even managed to sell some of his paintings and keeps getting orders for more.   

“It’s a long time confinement of 12 years that I have been in and I don’t know how long more! But I have accepted my folly and made peace with life, leaving destiny to decide my fate for me. Indulging in art has given a vent to my restlessness, making me calm and offering me the much-needed solace. Expressing my emotions through visuals and words, is now, the sole aim of my journey towards inner well-being, as I am totally clueless where life will lead me. However I am learning to write a new chapter in this mega school of life,” shares this 31-year-old who has had spent more than one third of his youthful life behind bars.   

As his mentor the Sahitya Academy awardee Dr Yogini Acharya puts it, “Rohan is just not one individual but a representative of all those who have shown the courage to change. He has tried in his own ways to handle life and all its complexities in a manner which is an inspiration to many. His poems and paintings are a witness to his journey - a journey of how a human being evolves on his own, a journey from negativity to positivity and a search of self, amidst complete solitude.”   

As for Rohan, it is the reformative phase of life where he has become synonymous with the world of art and its various forms. He completed BA with English literature, post-graduated in both - Labour and Administrative Law as well as Journalism and Mass Communication, did certification courses in Communication and IT skills and also in NGO Management. He also did basic and advance computer courses. “Taking to voracious reading I have, so far, read 900 books on diverse subjects. I realised that keeping the mind busy in learning new skills is an attempt of staying relevant to the times and equipping myself with the skills to cope up with what life has on my platter. My period of confinement has gradually, pushed me towards words and colours, making me learn the art to play with pencil, pen and paintbrush,” says Rohan who has also penned a book of poetry, For Better, For Verse - an artistic flight that offers a glimpse into the churning of his inner world. Published in 2016, this book is a collection of all that he could never utter or express in his letters to the outside world, especially to his family which was left behind to suffer.   

His continuous struggle, to leave behind his past and embrace an unseen future through his poems and paintings, has received a reluctant acclaim by the society. “I am okay with it. I don’t expect miracles to happen overnight and get a total acceptance from the society but, yes, here I am with a promise and a sincere effort to make a change and be a better person. My metamorphosis should help the society to understand the undercurrents of my turbulent mind which is in constant search of eternal peace and solace.”   

(‘Metamorphosis - in pursuit of life’ which opened on May 21 will be open for public till May 24 (10 am to 7 pm) at Kala Academy Art Gallery, Panaji.)   

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