June 27: Art connoisseurs in Florida will have a colourful glimpse into the indigenous life, culture and society of Darrang district of Assam from July 1.

Four canvases and 50 slides of one of the most promising artists of the city and the state, Dadul Chaliha, will be exhibited under the title Mind Installation at the weeklong annual function of the Assam Society of America.

This is the first time the society has invited any artist from the state to be part of their annual function.

“My works bear marks of my land, its people and their culture,” said Chaliha. “Since my works will be showcased on foreign shores, my conscious effort is to bring a slice of Assamese indigenous life in my canvases,” the Guwahati-based 36-year-old artist said.

In his paintings, Chaliha, who was born and brought up in Mangaldoi in Darrang district, has extensively used the art of puppetry famous in his native land. His technique lends authenticity to the rural ambience in his work.

Neelpawan Barua, a renowned artist of the state, commended the society’s effort to depict and celebrate Assamese life for the first time through paintings. “Canvases dipped in colour are one of the best vehicles to depict the society, life and culture of any place. Chaliha is one of the most promising artists of the state and his works brilliantly depict Assamese life,” he said.

Singer Jitul Sonowal will accompany Chaliha and his wife Minaskhi to be part of the function.

“Due to some delay in the processing of my visa, I might have to miss the inaugural show,” a disappointed Chaliha said.

The four paintings measuring 3x4 feet each and the slides have already been sent.

Chaliha won an award in the painting section at the first Northeast states exhibition of art organised by Srimanta Sankardev Kalakshetra at its twin galleries earlier this year.

He started his career as early as in 1995, while still pursuing the Bachelor of Fine Arts course at the Government College of Art and Crafts, Guwahati. His paintings were exhibited at the All India Art Exhibition in New Delhi.

He has also exhibited his works at several national and regional-level exhibitions. Prominent among them are the 76th All-India Annual Art Exhibition organised by All India Fine Arts and Crafts Society, New Delhi and the Panchajanya group exhibition by Lalit Kala Akademi, New Delhi.

Today, Chaliha’s works grace galleries in Canada, Delhi, Guwahati, Hisar, Jammu and other parts of the country.