Art Purifies the Soul: Dr. G.K. Goswami
Lucknow: The Basant All India Art Exhibition, organized by Kala Dirgha International Visual Art Magazine and The Centrum, Lucknow, was inaugurated at The Centrum. The exhibition was formally opened by Dr. G.K. Goswami, IPS, Additional Director General of Police and Founding Director of Uttar Pradesh State Institute of Forensic Science, Lucknow, who lit the ceremonial lamp. In his address, Dr. Goswami remarked, “Art purifies the soul, and being an artist is a special blessing from the divine.”
Highlighting the event’s significance, Dr. Goswami noted that the gathering of numerous artists under the guidance of Dr. Awadhesh Mishra and Dr. Leena Mishra contributes significantly to fostering an artistic environment in the city.
The exhibition showcases the works of prominent artists, including Dr. Awadhesh Mishra, Editor of Kala Dirgha and faculty at Dr. Shakuntala Mishra National Rehabilitation University; Dr. Lalit Gopal Parashar, Assistant Professor, Amritsar; Ravikant Pandey, Assistant Professor, College of Arts and Crafts, Lucknow; Dr. Rakesh Kumar Maurya from Mahatma Gandhi Chitrakoot Gramodaya University, Satna; Dr. Anita Verma, Textile Designer and Assistant Professor, Lucknow; independent artist Sumit Kumar; young photographer and designer Archita Mishra; Anurag Gautam from Madhya Pradesh; printmaker Apoorva Chaudhary from Rajasthan; Abhishek Kumar, Assistant Professor, Pondicherry; Akanksha Tripathi from Gorakhpur; Ganesh Shankar Mishra from Manendragarh, Chhattisgarh; independent artists Diksha Bajpai and Nidhi Chaubey from Lucknow; Bharat Kumar Jain from Delhi; researchers Prashant Chaudhary and Shraddha Tiwari from Dr. Shakuntala Mishra National Rehabilitation University; Ranjoo Kumari from Jammu & Kashmir; Dr. Reena Gautam, Guest Lecturer at Dr. Shakuntala Mishra National Rehabilitation University; and Dr. Sunil Kumar Patel, Assistant Professor at Banaras Hindu University.
Celebrating the Spirit of Spring
The exhibition is held in celebration of Basant Utsav, a season culturally significant in India. Festivals like Basant Panchami, Holi, and Maghi Sankranti are integral to this period. Basant Panchami, dedicated to Goddess Saraswati—the deity of knowledge, art, music, and literature—is especially revered, making it an auspicious day for students, artists, and scholars.
Holi, symbolizing love, unity, and togetherness, also falls during Basant. The festival of colors mirrors the vibrant hues of spring, with blossoming gardens reflecting nature’s palette. Holi fosters social harmony as people come together to celebrate, leaving behind grievances.
Basant’s influence extends beyond festivities, enriching Indian poetry and literature. Classical works like Kalidasa’s Ritusamhara and compositions by poets like Surdas, Bihari Lal, and Meerabai beautifully depict the essence of spring. The season inspires creativity, mental peace, and a renewed zest for life, reflected in the arts, music, and literature.
Artistic Inspirations and Legacy
Curator Dr. Leena Mishra emphasized that Kala Dirgha, established in 2000, documents and promotes diverse forms of Indian art. Recognized for its artistic excellence and sophisticated presentation, the magazine has organized notable art events in cities like Lucknow, Patna, Bhopal, Jaipur, Bangalore, New Delhi, London, Birmingham, Dubai, and Muscat.
Marking its silver jubilee, Kala Dirgha continues to support senior artists while providing a platform for young talents to showcase their innovative expressions. Following successful exhibitions like Hausla, Vatsal, Samarpan, and Dhibri, the current Basant exhibition reflects the magazine’s commitment to nurturing creativity.
The exhibition, featuring 21 artists expressing the spirit of Basant through diverse styles and mediums, will remain open to the public until February 9, from 12 PM to 7 PM. The event was graced by the special presence of The Centrum’s owner, Sarvesh Goel. Exhibition coordinators Dr. Anita Verma and Sumit Kumar expressed their enthusiasm, hoping the event would inspire art lovers and foster positive energy through creative expressions.
