Visitors admire a painting at the exhibition at College of Arts and Crafts, Patna, on Thursday. Picture by Jai Prakash

Visitors to Anandi Prasad Badal’s solo exhibition at College of Arts and Crafts, Patna, on Thursday had the rare fortune of interacting with the artist himself who explained to them the abstract symbols in his art.

“Not many people are familiar with the traditions of abstract art. So they are often baffled by the symbols an artist uses,” Badal, 85, told The Telegraph.

The obscure symbols in his art — inspired mostly by nature — did not keep the visitors away. Many art enthusiasts started to pour in from early afternoon, though the exhibition was supposed to be inaugurated at 4pm.

All of them were impressed by the 45 paintings and seven Plaster of Paris sculptures in the exhibition. While some loved Badal’s use of hues, others appreciated his subjects.

“I am admiring the beautiful combination of colours the artist has used. Every canvas is unique,” said Sneha Kumari, a final-year student of the College of Arts and Crafts, Patna.

Another visitor, 23-year-old Asif Ahmad, said: “I love the depiction of nature in the paintings.”

Badal has portrayed not only the beauty of nature but also how humans have exploited it. “In one of my works, I have painted a tree without any leaf but only barbs. I have also compared natural beauty with the beauty of women. In a third painting, I have shown how people of some communities protect nature.”

Besides nature, rituals and traditions have also found a place in Badal’s art. One of the most remarkable paintings at the exhibition depicts women performing Chhath Puja.

The road to success was not always easy, said Badal. As a young man, he ran away from home to study art in Patna. “For a few days, a platform at Patna Junction was my home,” he said.

The struggle, however, has yielded rich dividends.

Chief minister Nitish Kumar formally inaugurated the exhibition in the evening. He also released a book — Mere Shaabd, Mere Chitra — written by Badal.