Of impression & expression

A nine-to-five routine for a few years and Varun Tandon couldn't have any of it anymore! Two years on, he has been following artistic pursuits and a few exhibitions and couple of workshops later, he is a happy soul...

His recent exhibition showcases the portraits of 15 heroes of the Independence struggle. And the medium he uses is burnt matchsticks. Sketching with burnt matchsticks was a chance discovery for him. 

Seeing burnt matchsticks post Diwali, he sat down collecting those and thought of utilising them. As his thoughts led to the martyrs who burnt bright with their sacrifice, Bhagat Singh’s portrait on thermocol was born. After completing the trinity - Rajguru and Sukhdev, Chandra Shekhar Azad was the next one. 

Considering that there was a generation that sacrificed their youth and life for Independence, Varun tried to find more names and made 15 portraits, including those of Ram Prasad Bismil, Khudiram Bose and more. 

Having displayed at Law Bhawan-37, Varun aims to take his portraits to schools and colleges,  so that youngsters know our true heroes. 

With no office to report to every morning, this Jalandhar boy has been exploring different mediums. There was one portrait made with used tea leaves of Narendra Modi, used cassette reel for Surjit Bindrakhia. 

Making portraits with burnt matchsticks is not an easy task. He needs them in such a number that he cannot find used ones, so he burnt some to different degrees for the desired effect. “What I find most gratifying is taking art to those who have never experienced it,” he shares. His work with blind students and slum children has been as encouraging for him as the participants. — Mona