What is it that inspires artists to make Chennai the centre of their art? Is it the culture — a mix of the various genres of music that resonates in every inch of the city or is it the religious fervour that it incessantly palpitates with? Making an attempt to portray all the elements that make the Southern city that embrace modernity without sacrificing traditions, Madras Musings, an exhibition inaugurated at Gallery Veda recently, combines art works by both established and upcoming artists.

The exhibition opened on Friday on a musical note. Featuring musicians like violinist Padma Shankar and percussionist Akshay Ananthapadmanabhan, nothing could have been more appropriate to symbolise Madras through music. The artistes engaged in an hour-long collaboration, Sounds of Chennai, picking up compositions that included Carnatic music, film-based classical songs and popular film numbers.

The art work encompassed a wide variety of mediums – acrylic, water colours, fibre glass and other mix of materials that highlighted the diversity of Chennai.  Referring to the city as Madras, the focus was on the imprints of erstwhile Madras that is today – a far cry from its past glory. Yet, there were a few elements that remain intact and have been woven into the fabric of the modern city.

Madras Musings features works of artists like  Anamika Veeraraghavan, Aneesh K R, Aparajithan Aadimoolam, Gukan Raj, Guranathan, Jacob Jebaraj, Janarthanan, Kasa Vinay Kumar, Krishnapriya C P, Kumaresan Selvaraj, Manisha Raju, Suresh S, Vennimalai, Vijay Pichumani, Vijayakumar, Yuvan Bothi and Yuvaraj among others.

The show is on till July 17 at Gallery Veda, Nungambakkam. Phone: 4309 0422

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Cities> Chennai / by Express Feature – Chennai / July 03rd, 2013