Visitors take a look at the artworks created by Vineeta Rupani. Picture by Ashwinee Pati

Bhubaneswar, Sept. 16: Marketing professional turned artist Vineeta Rupani displayed her maiden collection of paintings at the Rashtriya Lalit Kala Akademi here from September 10 to 13.

Her works, a unique fusion of tribal hues with contemporary themes, received rave response from art lovers in the city.

Titled The Rich and Simple Life of Orissa, the exhibition was a mix of tribal patterns of the state and Warli art of the Western Ghats. Most of the works revolved around tribal life. Some even peeked into spirituality as well as urban life.

A day in the life of Warli, one of the most impressive works, illustrated the daily chores of people in the tribal zones. From kids busy playing, men and women working in the fields and cooking food, to the festivities that are held at night, the painting was an elaborate picture of the lifestyle of inhabitants of Warli.

Similarly, She, another painting, highlighted the profile of a tribal woman. Her various activities were shown on the wide border.

A number of works were dedicated to Lord Ganesha, Radha-Krishna romance and even the concept of Ardhanarishwara that is formed by halves of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati.

While most of these works were created on handmade paper, two impressive pattachitras were created on cloth. The tribal patterns were drawn with fabric colour as the medium.

There was also one oil painting on display that depicted the change in Gurgaon due to urbanisation.

“As a result of industries and urban life, the original Gurgaon that I had seen as a teenager, has been lost and hence this painting,” said Vineeta. Talking about her maiden tryst with art, she said it is her stay in Orissa that infused creativity in her.

“I came here after my husband’s transfer in October 2010. Since then I have fallen in love with the serenity of the place. There is a rich culture here and yet there is so much simplicity. I took pattachitra classes initially, and then while visiting Konark and various parts of Bhubaneswar, I turned into an artist,” she said.

Almost all her works got sold at the exhibition. Art enthusiasts even bought the three creations by her 10-year-old daughter, Vaarya, displayed as Vaarya’s corner.

“I think she has done an amazing work. The themes that she has described under every painting give her work a whole new definition,” said an art enthusiast, Sangita Kudavakkalagi.

Vineeta is planning yet another exhibition soon. “I have got many assignments that will keep me busy. But I will definitely come up with a new collection in future,” she said.