The Tree of Life from Forest Fables by Ganpati Hegde. Photo Credit: Special Arrangement

One cannot miss seeing Ganpati Hegde – even from a hundred steps away, the soft glow of the forest draws you in, and makes you want to be a part of its tranquillity. And while Forest Fables may have a distinctive artist style, the stories woven in this series are different.

Bengaluru-based artist Ganapathy Hegde says he has always felt a connection with nature and its harmonious co-existence of creatures big and small. “I have never seen a tiger or some big animals, but I am attracted to small animals like frogs, insects and birds that also live in the forest. There, you can see parallels between human and animal behavior – I believe this shows the kinship between all living beings,” says Ganapathy.

Talking about forest fables, Ganapati says, “The stories Panchatantra Or in Hindu mythology usually set in and around a forest. Although this was not my initial plan for the series, this narrative came to me during the execution of these works and it has turned out quite well.

The artist recalls an incident where he saw a group of children chewing stones after seeing a lizard sunbathing on a tree. “Even though I managed to dissuade them, I came away thinking that there had to be some way to cover or protect these creatures who depended on nature to survive.”

“In our culture, we wear shawls Ponnada Achievers and celebrities should be honored as a tribute – similarly, I thought a shawl or cloth would honor those animals.’

Bajrangi Bhaijaan from Forest Fables by Ganpati Hegde. Photo Credit: Special Arrangement

It is true that in Forest Fables one can see ‘Miss Ovalle’ or ‘Bajrangi Bhaijaan’, an iconic baboon wearing a brightly patterned stole. “In Hindu mythology, Bajrang refers to Hanuman Brother There is an Urdu word for brother. I thought this title was appropriate to represent the brotherhood. Similarly, I have titled my work of an Indian parrot draped in a shawl ‘Rani’, because that is how astrologers take them out of their cages to collect cards,” says the artist, who believes that the name comes from some of the pieces. Add value to.

Visitors to KYNKYNY will not only see the 15 works of art in this series, but also two artworks that Ganapati has created in charcoal on two walls of the gallery – one of a lion-tailed macaque and the other of a chameleon completely covered in leaves – However his preferred medium is acrylic and oil on canvas.

Created over the past year and a half, the artist himself admits that there is an underlying shift in tone in relation to his work. “I think my form has gradually developed. While one might have seen animals and birds in my previous works as well, I believe that in this series they appear in an enhanced version both in terms of skill and idea.

Ganpati Hegde Photo Credit: Special Arrangement

Ganapathy’s previous series Into the Forest, which was screened during the lockdown, was a satirical take on mankind’s preoccupation with earning a living. “Although I love painting and don’t see it as ‘work,’ I keep working on a particular piece until I’m completely satisfied with it.”

The artist says that although he won a National Award in 2010 for his Life in Nature series, his work did not immediately appeal to many people. “Most people look for traditional ideas of beauty in pictures; They stay away from anything that could be considered strange.

Forest Fables is on display at KYNKYNY Art Gallery until November 22, 2024. Entry is free. Sunday off.