OR a man who was born in the land of scenic beauty and animated environs of Goa, love of nature, is but natural. So does it invariably shows in the paintings of Laxman Pai.A Padamshri recipient (1985), most of Pai’s paintings, be it Spring Flowers or Tree of life (acrylic on canvas), are full of bright shades of yellow, red and orange. “I am very optimistic about nature. So most of my paintings reproduce this hope through bright colours,” says the septuagenarian painter who has more than 100 solo exhibitions to his credit including nine in Paris where he worked for 10 years (1951-1961).
Most of Pai’s paintings have one thing in common, a beautiful, square and rounded-faced damsel with big expressing eyes and well-defined lips. This dame seems to be a harbinger of good times and season.
“Woman for me is an object of admiration, beauty and veneration. I feel inclined towards them, so she finds a special place in my creations. Her eyes express her best,” reasons Pai with a coy smile.
Pai’s lines flow harmoniously. They are not flat as in many abstract and modern paintings. Take for example, his Tree of life, which portrays childhood, youth, marriage, family, autumn life and moksha.
On the face of it, you will find this painting more of a geometrical figure-infested portrait than anything else. You go deeper and he tells you, “This tree of life shows you these times as they happen in an individual’s life. In Childhood, for example, simple forms, flow upward with child’s face on left corner and growing tree.”
These lines show a homogeneous movement till the last stage, moksha, where, it finds a smaller and straight manifestation. “It shows the setting sun and peaceful male and female face in tranquillity,” he explains.
Pai’s spring flowers were born in Paris. “During my stay in Paris, I was fascinated by its spring. The flowers blooming there have spectacular shades which find mention in my paintings,” says Pai who is also a recipient of three Lalit Kala National Awards (1961, 1963, 1972).
Mention Paris and he is overjoyed. “I owe a lot to this country. They are real promoters of artists. I developed myself there only. Fortunately, six of my paintings are going to be gifted to this country’s museum through the Embassy of France,” said a beaming Pai.
He, however, is not satisfied with the way India treats its artists. Owing to the social structure, selling pieces of art is very difficult here. In America, there are commercial galleries that sponsor artists. Both in Europe and America, there are bankers to sponsor them. Owning a gallery and buying paintings are taken as investments. The gallery men have auction houses. Paintings bought are labeled ‘sold’ in exhibitions and then auctioned at desired prices. “This not only boosts artist’s morale but also enhance people’s interest in art and artistic items,” he says.
“In India, we have much black money, income tax rebate and transportation problem. See the British Council, how it promotes its artists in India while India hardly promotes them in their own country!” says a peeved Laxman, whose other exhibitions have been held in London, Munich, Stuttgart, New York, Singapore, Bangkok and many other foreign countries. He has also participated in Biennale Sau Paulo, Brazil.
But then, the artist agrees that there is no parallel to a ready-for-risk artist anywhere in the entire globe. “The passion for art is risk-involving, more so if you make it a profession, for the art is not meant for the masses. It is for the classes, or you may say, for those who have temperament,” he tries to reason.
The person who is ready to involve himself in this risk, has big scope both in India and abroad, he says, “The problem with today’s’ artists is that they are impatient and this art needs lots of patience.”
The deep involvement in this creative work got Laxman much applaud and took him places ever since he received his art education form J J School of Arts in Mumbai, (1943- 47). Here, he won the prestigious Mayo Medal. The Government of Goa honoured him with Nehru Award in 1987.
He also contributed a series of paintings inspired by Jaidev’s Geet Govinda, the Ramayana and the Life of Mahama Gandhi in addition to countless others.
Pai’s paintings adorn the walls of Museum of Modern Art, Paris, New York Public Library and national gallery of modern art in New Delhi, Madras and Nagpur. He has also penned his autobiography, My Search-- My Evolution, describing the evolution of his paintings from 1948 to 1998.
