Bhubaneswar, March 10: Cuttack-based veteran cardiologist J.P. Das has put his artistic streak on display at an exhibition titled Footprints and Dreams on at Rashtriya Lalit Kala Akademi here.

In his paintings, Das displays his encounters with the heart and emotions.

Be it his visions of spirituality in the form of abstract images of Buddha against a backdrop of multi-coloured halos or the rainbow of colours to depict the different shades of emotions and circumstances that life brings, Das has expressed his artistic urge in striking ways.

Some walls in the gallery are completely dedicated to sketches and drawings, some based on personalities such as Einstein or C.V. Raman and others that illustrate the space where science and art merge like the portrait titled 186000 miles per second where the artist shows an intricate doodle. Inclined towards art even as a student, Das ensured he took time out for his passion.

“I found time for art in the evenings once I was out of my chamber. I tried different concepts and themes since I was not bound by any discipline. After 1987, when I took voluntary retirement, I could give even more time to painting and sketching,” said Das.

At the exhibition on till March 13, Das’ works from 2003 to 2013 have been showcased. A book of his sketches and drawings Heart to Heart was also unveiled on the inaugural day.