Members of Chotanagpur Art Research Development Society at an earlier event

Ranchi, June 27: The state capital’s brush with Gurudev’s 150th birth anniversary celebrations has extended beyond May 7, 2011.

It is closer to August 7, when Rabindranath Tagore breathed his last in 1941, but 15 Ranchi-based artists will celebrate Tagore’s landmark birth anniversary with an art camp in mid-July at the Hotwar state museum.

Members of Chotanagpur Art Research Development Society (Cards), they will base their paintings on Tagore’s works. Most participating artists believe that they are inspired by Tagore’s versatility. India’s first Nobel laureate was a poet, novelist, playwright, thinker, composer and painter of global repute. In fact, Tagore’s art, which incorporates diverse strands of modernism, expressionism and primitivism, has of late, drawn global attention.

Senior artist Dinesh Singh said youngsters should learn from Tagore’s painting style. “Tagore’s style is indeed commendable. It is a source of inspiration for the present generation,” said Singh.

Contemporary artist and Cards member Ramanuj Shekhar said participants at the meet were inspired by Tagore’s poems. “It’s a chance to depict creativity at its best,” he said.

Cards general secretary Haren Thakur said they were hosting the art camp to pay their personal tribute to the cultural colossus, to which Cards member Vinod Ranjan concurred. “Tagore’s philosophy is universal. I hope our canvas reflects his spirit,” Ranjan said.

Cards, launched in 1984 by a group of creative visual artists, hosts Palash, a premier national art camp.