BHAKTI (Devotion)

BHAKTI

(Devotion)

I have no pretentions about intellectuality. But I surely have my own opinions and my own views about things and the phenomena – things that affect an artist as a social being as well as a creative person.  It is my view that an artist’s social side could not be separated from his creative side. However, there is always a fine balance between the two as they unite within the same individual.

An expression of some of my views was put into print in the catalogue that was published for my Delhi Art Gallery Show at The Shridharani Art Gallery, New Delhi, in 199__. I was frank about what I thought or believed in though some thought that it was too early to express my views about things that are generally in the philosophical domain. However, even now, when I am considered to be mature, I think, what is philosophy if it is not part of your life and the thought process? I may be wrong. But this is what I think.

My own deeply thought view is that no creation is possible without being devoted to whatever one is doing. And of course, the concept of devotion extends to God or whatever the ultimate truth (as one might see it). Man is like the reed (of a flute) which does not produce music on its own. It is just an instrument, a means for creating music. It needs a Krishna, a player, who has music in his soul (it is to such a soul that both the Gopis and the cows are drawn to).

The flute has no share in the feeling part of the music, as it does not express itself. However, it lays down certain conditions like any other music instrument, as to what sort of music could be created through it.  And this fact is important (at least for the sake of keeping one’s ego under check (if it is allowed a loose rein, it might drag you out of the race course). When I work, I feel I am part of a consciousness that is entering a creative act through me. I have, as an individual, no pre-determined images to paint. So I can’t say that I have created this or that.  The process of creation has its own ways and demands and I am obliged to follow it (till l feel that the thrust has come to an end).The most I could say about my own contribution (of which I am really conscious) that on certain days and in a certain mood I might use a particular orchestra of colours – warm, cold or a mix of both, as it may work out. However, I am certainly obliged to follow the rules of the unknown (what a contradiction herein!)

Having given due weight to the oneness of being and the supreme being (whatever name others might give to the two aspects of existence) I am rather free to say that images and forms flow out of me as I delve deep into my work. Many suggestions, many discoveries emerge from the pursuit of the creative process. These have to be savoured and respected (as do viewers of my art). However, the final image is accepted/ approved only after I have felt a deep satisfaction about what has come up on to my canvas. This means that the image-dynamics has come to rest and it is now time to pause and then, move on.

I often wonder of course, about what has been created on the canvas. It gives me a  feeling of detachment at times and I wonder if this could be my handiwork. Besides this, I am sometimes, unsure of what has been obtained on the canvas. Is it a viable image, I ask myself at such times. But then I think that it is perhaps part of the creative process. There are of course no guarantees offered here. It is a flux in which an artist operates – from the beginning till he lays down his brush and rests his palette. But more of this later, may be. Of course, there is beauty in what has been created. I enjoy it through and through. I get lost into it at times. My own existence becomes zero. The image stands tall and domineering. It’s like an unbottled  Djinn, who is out to demonstrate its own power (and it has the hustles to do so). At that moment, I have the feeling that I must get away from it  if I am to retrieve my own identify (and it has to be retrieved of course. There are no choices here).

I do not know why I am obsessed by the “man and his shadow” imagery here – though not totally relevant to what I wish to convey here. The shadow of a man (or of any object) has the essence of the man itself in it (one can’t accept any other person’s shadow as his own). However, the shadow is not the man! But for getting back to oneself one must get away from the shadow. This, in a way, is a long drawn process as the world outside keeps on tagging one’s creations to one’s person – This is a Souza! This is a Husain !… and so on. The shadow refuses to leave you.

Another image that obsesses my mind is that of a bridge.  The river under it and the traffic over it are two fundamental realities (that is why a bridge is a bridge). One can’t imagine a bridge without a river (in that case a bridge will not be needed). And one can’t imagine a bridge minus the traffic (to facilitate which a bridge is constructed across a river). However, an artist is just a bridge, I feel. The river and the people itching to cross it are already there. It is of concise futile to question the origin of the river or that of the traffic. If not Hem raj then someone else will act as a bridge and the flows of both the river and the traffic will be maintained. So why let your ego act as a spoil-sport?

Some of my friends complained about my using the flute for explaining the place and situation of the artist. But I do not feel apologetic about it. In modern symbolism there is no place for humility. The money driven culture (or should I say, status consciousness) induces a certain amount of arrogance within the individual. Means are taken for ends. And a different ball game starts. I of course don’t wish to cross over to the other side (something which seems so natural and so easy today). I think, I have many more years for doing my thing (labelled as Art) and I must stick to it rather than deviate.

But I won’t do justice to myself if I do not say the last word. For what I feel is  that there is a vast sea of consciousness (call it universal consciousness, if you like) which envelops us and acts through us who are part and parcel of it and could not be imagined without it. It is co-terminus with space and time. It is forever changing and also driving the change (the reason why an artist feels like changing his or her line of work or approaches). I am ever happy to submit to it. And I am sure it would keep me going. And without regrets too.

(HEM RAJ)