Reaching out to the spiritual side through art

For artist Manisha Raju, art is a form of spirituality. And the name of her ongoing solo exhibition Tathagata gives an indication of this fact. It is primarily about Lord Budhha (who symbolises spirituality) and how self-interaction is essential for each person's life. “Spiritual icons have always been my source of inspiration. I grew up listening to stories of mythological and spiritual icons. So, it was easy and also essential for me to be inspired by them. It’s my way of connecting with the world. I have tried answering complicated questions such as what life is and why we exist through my paintings. Self-realisation and self-interaction are the foundations of my art work,” says Manisha Raju and adds, “My art works have always been about searching for oneself and confronting one’s existence.” The artist, who considers coming to Chennai as a turning point in her profession, has had a busy schedule this year. Manisha has been a part of numerous art shows throughout the year, two of which were organised overseas.Manisha, who is fond of every medium, from water colours to poster paints, has used acrylics to capture the charm of Buddha. She has merged the orange, yellow and green beautifully to add to the rustic charm of the spiritual icon. Most of her paintings have the Budhha in a meditative posture, which clearly explains the theme and spirit of the exhibition. Also, the bright shade of yellow around the head of the Buddha explains his enlightenment.Manisha has also used elements such as flowers and leaves, which she carefully merges with the spiritual world of Lord Buddha. Her paintings reflect positivity, peace and harmony. Viewers who view her paintings are bound to find it to be a source of peace.The exhibition is on till November 18 at Prakrit Art Gallery. For details, call 24953969