HYDERABAD: Ekphrastic. The Greek word for the verbal description of a piece of art in quite a lucid way has been dear to poets for a long time especially John Keats’ poem ‘Ode on a Grecian Urn’ or ‘Landscape with the Fall of Icarus’ written by American poet William Carlos Williams.
The tradition is carried forward in different ages, continents and countries. Some art galleries in the country commission poems on selected pieces or collectives of art; poets finish their work, bring out the rendition as the exhibition carries on. That’s how recently at Alliance Française Hyderabad a show of art and poetry was held which saw poet Iqbal Patni and artist Sabita Lakshmanan coming together.
‘Seamless Connections’ a solo art exhibition by the artist comprised works in acrylics and mixed media showcasing the urban-scape and the escape and confinement of women. Her colour palette is vivid and imagery lively even though the lines are not that uniform or in accordance with the sweep of the strokes. The poems of Iqbal recited in Hindustani explored the essence of women as he began with lines: main waqt hun… His poem established time as the chronicler for a woman’s mannerism on day-to-day basis. AR Rahman’s music in the background completed the recitation as Iqbal is known his ‘Tasveer Ki Awaz’: a fusion of art and poetry.
— Saima Afreen
saima@newindianexpress.com @Sfreen