Magic of flute

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As part of the third edition of Raasrang World Flute Festival 2012, a fund raiser art exhibition, “Love, Peace, Water : Indian Culture on Flute” was inaugurated at Lotus temple recently.

The calmness that an instrument like flute can instill on humans is surreal. Since the times of Lord Krishna, the flute has been envisaged as an embodiment of Indian culture. “To be frank, I became an admirer of flute only a few years ago, when I listened to Pandit Hari Prasad Chaurasia. The music had a magical effect and I could immediately relate it to love, peace and water,” says Mohit Jain of Dhoomimal Art Centre that has organised the exhibition alongwith Krishna Prerna Foundation.
The exhibition that was inaugurated by Dr Karan Singh, president, Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR), intends to focus on restoring dying forms of art, instruments, dance and other mediums.
The art exhibition features India’s best painters and designers expressing an aspect of Indian culture on the flute. The list includes renowned artists like Abbas Batliwala, Gogi Saroj Pal, Laxman Pai, Nupur Kundu, Radha Krishnan, Rameshwar Singh, Seema Kohli, Nida Mahmood, Shipra Bhattacharya, Sudip Roy, Vandana Rakesh, Biman Das, Vijender Sharma among others.
“The flute, like shehnai is probably one of the simplest instruments that can produce different types and frequencies of sound. All major ragas of music have some connection with the flute. For me, it definitely embodies the sound of serenity and love,” says artist Biman Das.
The sculpture by him depicts peace — a globe with Lord Krishna’s image carved on it. Standing upright on it is a flute that carries out the message of the lord.
Talking about her work, “Dance of Flutes”, artist Nupur Kundu explains, “The simplicity of the Indian bamboo flute is unparalleled. In my work, the bansuri and the venu perform a mystical dance that resonates from north to south. The white and black hues particularly express the purity and mystery of the duet.” The painting is both an expression and yearning towards the peace, harmony and beauty that the flute symbolises.
Another interesting art piece is the work by Vandana Rakesh. She has portrayed everything associated with Lord Krishna on a flute including seshnag, mor-mukut, Radha beside other elements. “I think no other instrument can represent peace more than the flute. I just chose to portray Krishna and various aspects of his life on it,” she says.