SSP Naveen Kumar Singh inaugurates the exhibition as Rakhee Agarwal (extreme right) looks on. (Bhola Prasad)

Jamshedpur, May 9: The latest buzz among artists in the steel city is centred around The Beldih Residency.

For, Abhiyukti, an art exhibition by artist Rakhee Agarwal, has brought together fresh, exotic pieces and evoked a good response from art lovers.

The exhibition was inaugurated today and would continue till May 11.

Rakhee displayed a range of painting forms — from floral ones to a Radha Krishna series, temple art to Tanjore paintings. There were unique murals and art pieces worked out on mixed medium.

Rakhee, the spouse of East Singhbhum deputy commissioner R.K. Agarwal, displayed her paintings for the first time in Jamshedpur.

A diploma holder in temple art from Vasthuvidya Gurukulam, Kerala, she has also tried her hand on other forms with various mediums.

“Art has been my passion but I have completed my specialisation in temple art from Kerala, which takes a lot of time and labour. The exhibition is a collection of art pieces I have created over a period of three years. They received appreciation from family members, friends and relatives. As the paintings increased in numbers over the years, I decided to exhibit them,” said Rakhee about her first solo exhibition.

She had earlier participated in group exhibitions in Kerala and Ranchi.

The exhibition at the Beldih Residency showcased a total of 74 art pieces, paintings and murals giving art lovers a wide range to choose from.

The temple art is not for sale but only for increasing awareness among art lovers. The temple art has its origins in Kerala, depicting mythological, religious and mystical themes. The art depends on beauty, clarity, symmetry and imagination.

Rakhee’s paintings on display at The Beldih Residency. (Bhola Prasad)

Rakhee has also worked on Malaysian art where she has used painted paper cuttings for three-dimensional effect.

She has also worked on mixed medium using ceramics, plaster of paris and paints to create the rural ambience of Rajasthan in her other paintings.

“The other form of paintings have been learnt in school or developed with age and experience. I have started thinking about my career after my marriage. I have got a very good response and I would wish to continue this for times to come,” added Rakhee.