M Narayan’s Equus and other stories in Delhi

A vibrant universe of horse harmonies and a series of Kerala and Karnataka works defines the essence of M Narayan, a creative artist deeply involved in painting and drawings for 40 years. His is an engaging artistic journey following his love for horse polo imagery and rural rhythms. Celebrating the chromatics of hues with speed and strength , Narayan positions himself as both audience as well as creator. He was discovered 10 years ago, by G 20 Sherpa Amitabh Kant who has spurred him onto new pastures in his passion for painting.This show designed by famous scenographer Prima Kurien is a treat for the senses with its minimalist moorings inviting the human gaze on the ground floor at CCA at Bikaner House in Delhi and moving up to monumental works that create their own climax on the top floor.Kurien creates dialogues between drawings and paintings within islands of contemporary character and dynamics of display.

Graceful horse harmonies

M.Narayan originally from Karnataka now living in Pune is an artist who has been painting for the past 40 years. His passion for painting horses at polo matches has created a series of paintings and drawings that are robust and relished and full of the motion of strength, vigour and speed.The first room has an ensemble of four watercolour works that are emblematic in grace and poise and create a minimalist flavour.

Narayan’s show is divided into 3 series.The Equus series of paintings and drawings both revel in colour and a medley of monochromes.The polo matches with horses for Narayan is the elixir of life. The second set is the Kerala series created by Narayan reflecting his memories of a visit to Kerala after being sent by Amitabh Kant a few years ago. “ I liked the fact that Narayan painted the rural fabric of the people of his state Karnataka and that is what he did in Kerala too,” said Kant at the inauguration on Saturday evening.

Kerala chromatics

Narayan combs the richness of Kerala’s cultural rootedness. His monochromatic as well as coloured studies of Kathakali and the Theyyam dancers reflect the impact and enchantment of nuanced expressions and mythic narratives. We are brought into the beauty of the emotional expression (bhava), and the structural frameworks of performance handed down over generations. Narayan’s Karnataka series too are a study in rural rhythms and love for the relic and the ritual of everyday living.Narayan’s works belong to distinguished collections in India and abroad.

Theyyam’s exotic insignia

Narayan brims art history of portraiture as an autonomous form of artistic expression. He reminds us that a portrait must go beyond mere physical representation to reflect the cultural and humanistic rebirth of the era.Within the Theyyam portraits we experience an explosion of creativity.

The Kerala series are a reinterpretation of subjects through allegorical and quasi – realistic lenses, rendering them both ideal and intimate. Narayan does a melange of figures too in colourative symphony to emphasise the character and rank of his subjects.The setting is harmonised with his subjects, combining symbolic stances with semi- realistic details.

Kempamma’s monochromatic magic

The Sri Kempamma Devi temple is in the heart of Bengaluru city in Ulsoor (Halasuru) locality. Narayan says Kemp in Kannada means red and the Kempamma Devi Devasthanam is a fitting title to the Goddess in red colour.The Main gate

of the temple is decorated with carvings of Hinduism’s multifaceted pantheon of Goddesses painted with the charismatic look.Narayan says the eyes of the Kempamma Devi deity are very attractive and have a sensorial pull.

It is believed that Maa Kempamma had safeguarded the then kings of Ulsoor from enemy attacks, and she also acted as a physician for this Ulsoor area.Whenever the physician was unable to cure the diseases of the people, he used to sincerely worship

Maa Kempamma, is created as a two part monochromatic wonder with a series of elements that belong to temple traditions and serpentine symbols and ritual and relic items.Narayan reflects his brilliance at drawing realist facets and forms and creates a corollary of conversations with this powerful work.

The Black Umbrella

The small room on the first floor has three monochromatic works that are moody and monumental along with a single small colour work.Three works personify the black umbrella.

The black umbrella is more than an object, in the hands of Narayan it is an intimate and intertwined subject that gleams with a tenderness that belies its tensile strength. Narayan mines consequential moments with sharp insight, revealing unforgettable moments in the lives of these individuals .

Within the monochromatic medley of these three works we sense a sure-footed poet whose inventive language wrests bittersweet wisdom and uncommon grace out of the ordinary black umbrella which is at once rich and indelible.The small dhoti clad man is a milestone maker.

The narrative charts a lifetime’s emotional weather in deft, compelling strokes. Narayan invests insight, compassion, and retraces the winds that blow and reminds us that what we need is not the answers to all our questions, but ‘ the true moments of resonance and resilience.

Daada in Mundagod Market 2023

The Empty Shopping Bag

“ I painted this to create the importance of the moment. The man with his empty shopping bag waiting to get up and go to the market with his dog as companion,” says Narayan about this sombre moody work that invites the gaze of humans of all ages.This work of a man sitting with his bag is from Narayan’s Karnataka series.

When he creates his characters belonging to rustic rhythms Narayan is like an orchestra conductor who knows the music and trusts his players. And that is one of the reasons his dark studies with monochromatic strokes seem autobiographical and yet shows us a human who is emotionally drained perhaps but happy to have the companionship of the canine who waits for his master to make the first move.Here is the portrait of man with an empty shopping bag waiting in patience as time goes by.

Images: M. Narayan Studio

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