'Shakti' exhibition to empower children in the mountains

A showcase of over 40 artworks depicting 'Shakti' or the power of women in different roles aims to raise funds to support children living in mountainous regions of the country.
Titled "Shakti - Woman of Substance,' the exhibition set to begin here on July 15 explores the concept of womanhood represented by the social and sacred functions her image has served through time.
"The theme 'Shakti-Woman of Substance' is very close to my heart, since the very existence of everything in this universe is her creation. The exhibition has been organised to bring about the awareness of woman power and the importance of her role in today's progressive society," says artist Swapna Madhuker who has curated the show.

19 artists are participating in the group show, which has been divided into four thematic sections -- painting, photography, digital art and sculptures. Organisers have also included a few pieces of art work from a private collection.
"I have contributed two paintings, both acrylics on canvas for the show. Both have women in them - one is on "Sisterhood" with a group of women in silhouette. They stand close to each other perhaps to show solidarity. As a force in their unity they are true representatives of feminine "shakti"," says artist Gayatri Manchanda.
There are 10 sculptures included in the show and all the artworks attempt to depict a woman in different forms as a power, inner strength, calmness, mother nature, support, a protagonist and the sufferer.

The exhibition features works by both male and female artists.

"Mother Nature is the most powerful 'Stree Shakti' I found, so I am symbolising with the imagination of different moods of nature. I will be show casing five of my paintings. Being a landscape artist my motto is 'growing nature on Wall'," says Rajat Subra Bandopadhyay, an artist who does watercolors on canvas.
According to organisers, proceeds from the sale will go towards building community cultural centers in the mountainous regions of the country to engage the youth in activities like paintings, body building, dance, music etc.
"Just to make a tiny difference in our own way to society, we are donating a part of sale to the NGO 'Utsaah Toli', a brainchild of eminent author and film critic Aruna Vasudev, which works for the betterment of the children in mountains," says Madhuker.