The art & sculpture exhibition ‘Pravesh’ at Rashtriya Lalit Kala Kendra by the 30 artists in Bhubaneswar. Telegraph pictures

Bhubaneswar, Sept. 22: The magic of young and old painters and sculptors from Chhattisgarh is casting its colourful spell on art lovers at the Rashtriya Lalit Kala Akademi gallery. From aesthetic views on environment to reflections on life, the art works exhibited at the Pravesh 2010 art exhibition are a treat for art connoisseurs.

Making excellent use of one shade of sepia, veteran painter Gyanchand Khjanchi has created an unusual illusionary effect of a tribal couple in his work titled Love. Sonal Sawant’s Intense Blue is also captivating.

The painter has used the sense of light intelligently to move from various shades of blue to reach white at the centre.

Deepak Verma’s untitled work on the symbolic patterns and traditional designs of tribal and folk life of Chhattisgarh reflects a mystic aura.

The colourful triangular patterns and symbols of gods and goddesses have been based on a fiery vermilion background to indicate the petals of palash flower. B.G. Narayan Rao’s work creates waves of delight with thick acrylic layers of colours.

The exhibition also has a pencil work by Shubhendra who sketches an attractive assemblage of three fashionable women representing urban life.

Oil paintings on canvas and paper and ink on paper are also being displayed at the exhibition. Some interesting, tiny but well-crafted sculptures, mostly dokra works are on display.

A fibreglass work by Mukesh Verma, FM Licensor, shows a figure with a headphone. The works of Rajendra Sungaria and M.B. Porte’s dokra figurines are equally interesting.

“There are innovative concepts in these paintings. Some have a serene effect, specially the colours used are well balanced,” said Priya, an art student. “The exhibition gives a view of life in Chhattisgarh. It is a wonderful assortment of art works of various media,” said art lover Abhinandan Dalai.

The annual art exhibition is into its third year.

Organised by Shilp Varsha, an artists’ team formed by the alumni of Khiaragarh Art University, the event is supported by the department of culture of the Chhattisgarh government and Jindal Steel and Power Limited.

The exhibition is organised in three cities every year. This year it is being held in Bhubaneswar, Nagpur and Raipur.

Around 30 artists have participated in the exhibition here, whereas overall 56 artists are participating in the three-city event.

The display is on until Thursday.

“We have received a positive response from the art fraternity of Orissa.

“It is very encouraging for all of us from Chattisgarh. In fact, Pravesh has become popular across the country,” said Rajendra Sungaria secretary, Shilp Varsha Art and Research Society.

The exhibition will begin at the Cisfa Art Gallery in Nagpur from October 2.