Ukranian artist Tatiana Yatlo’s picture of an Indian woman with a flower garland.

Muhammad Yusuf, Features Writer

An art exhibition titled ‘RANG: Colors of India’ is being organised by Funun Arts in partnership with Novotel, World Trade Center, Dubai (Jan. 28 – Feb. 8) to celebrate the 73rd Republic Day of India. The event is being supported by the Consulate General of India, Dubai, and Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav, the initiative of the Government of India to celebrate and commemorate 75 years of progressive India and the glorious history of its people, culture and achievements. Republic Day is celebrated on January 26 every year to remember the day when the Constitution of India came into effect, after India gained independence after a very long freedom struggle. The day is observed by Indians and the country’s well-wishers all over the world, with festivities and patriotic fervour.

UAE-based Funun Arts added extra colours to the event — as it does in all arts events it promotes. In this exhibition, along with Indian artists, there are artists from different nations, who pay tribute to India through colourful paintings. 40 artists display 40 artworks, showcasing different forms of Indian art, bringing together many perspectives on India. One experiences the beauty of India here in the UAE, through the vibrant paintings and photographs!

The show was inaugurated by Tadu Mamu (Consul, Press, Information & Culture, Consulate of India, Dubai), Nisha Ganpathi (Group Product Manager, Dabur International), Irka Bochenko (actress, known as Moonraker), Ahmed Al Awadhi, Nada Al Barazi (legendary artist), Purva Grover (author, speaker and journalist), Peter Gressman (Art Forum UAE), Pari Sagar (artist), Saju Nair (II TELIVISANARIO 2), Neha Vinod (Asian Herald), besides other dignitaries.

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The programme was begun by Shiba Khan, Funun Arts Co-Founder (Farah Khan is also a Co-Founder). Grover took the audience by storm with her recital of “It takes a lot to be an Indian”, a poem composed in “Hinglish” (Hindi + English). “During our growing-up years,” she says, “the highlight of Republic Day celebrations at school was dressing up in Indian wear for the day and the laddoos (Indian sweets) that were distributed at the end of the function! “Funun’s Rang came close enough to that! It felt like we were back in school, waiting for the treat, as we all wore the Indian colours in pride. “I am always happy to be surrounded by art, especially with Funun, for Funun over the years has emerged as a community with a focus on providing opportunities to the creative fraternity.

“At each of their events, I see the community getting larger, yet closer. As an author, I’m keen to save stories, for I feel that in the end, we are all stories and there are more tales to be told. “It was an inimitable experience, to sum up all our growing up years in poetic prose in Hinglish, and read it out at the event. I loved how everyone in the audience got nostalgic and the anecdotes of the piece, resonated with them.”

  Anasuya Patra’s portrait of an Indian man.

A cultural dress walk conducted by the artists was reminiscent of the floats during the Republic Day parade in New Delhi, India. It was followed by a musical performance by Art and Music Movement Society. Three artists — Anubha Kaw, Ankisha Jhawar and Sabah Anees — won the best cultural dress award. Tatiana Gurova (Russia), Tatiana Yatlo (Ukraine), Hengameh Tajiki (Iran), Dr Wesam Mamdouh (Egypt) and Diana Shaykhutdinova (Russia), are the non-Indian artists who showcase their artwork, depicting India.

Other artists include Adelina Maria Baldivin; Anita Jain; Anjini Prakash Laitu; Ankisha Jhawar; Anubha Kaw; Anasuya Patra; Christine Dessa; Dr Devishree; Dr Soumya Shree; Farah Khan; Gomathi Shiva; Indrani Ilmi; Kavitha Vinod; Kavya Vinod; Khan Ayaan Abdulla; Medha Nerurkar; Mohammed Huzaifa Khan; Moni Shyam; Pari Sagar; Poonam Chaturvedi; Radhika Kamat; Rani Vishwambharam; Riya Shah; Sabah Anees; Sabrin Asker Ali; Saida Banu; Saima Hasan; Sameena Firdose; Sheetal Durve; Shiba Khan; Smitashree Balaji; Susmitha Dhruva; Vandana Arora; Varsha Khatri and Vidisha Pandey.

Shiba Khan said: “India is one of the cradles of the human race; the mother of history, the grandmother of legend, and the great grandmother of tradition.

“Our most valuable and most instructive materials are treasured in India. Art forms of India are incredible and their beauty can be seen by the whole world. “India is known for its colours and the vibrancy of its rich culture and heritage. Today, we are happy to present artists not only from India, but from many different nationalities. It makes us feel proud to see them depicting the “rang” or colours of India.” Tadu Mamu said: “My heartiest greetings to all of you here, in India and abroad, on the eve of the 73rd Republic Day! “It is an occasion to celebrate what is common to us all, our Indian-ness.

It was on this day in 1950 that this sacred essence of us all assumed a formal shape. “That day, India was established as the largest democratic republic and ‘we the people’ put into effect a Constitution that is an inspired document of our collective vision. “India is celebrating its 73rd Republic Day. Given that Republic Day this year falls in the 75th year of India’s Independence, we have linked it with January 23 to mark the birth anniversary of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, and culminating on January 30, which is observed as Martyrs’ Day.

“Congratulations to Shiba Khan and Farah Khan for such a beautiful event!” Irka Bochenko was very glad to be the part of the celebrations. She said: “I can experience India through these masterpieces. The colours really make me feel so positive and happy! Love the whole event full of culture and richness.” Nisha Ganpathi opined that “the diversity and vibrancy of our democracy is appreciated worldwide. It is this spirit of unity and of being one nation, which is celebrated every year as Republic Day.” Artist Nada Al Brazi said that “India is known as the land of culture and tradition. Indian culture is rich and unique in many ways. “In India, manners and etiquette, the style of communication and values and beliefs, are vital components of culture. We can experience all this in today’s event.”

Farah Khan said: “Culture plays an important role in the development of any nation. “It represents a set of shared attitudes, values, goals and practices. Culture and creativity manifest themselves in almost all economic, social and related activities. “A country as diverse as India is symbolised by the plurality of its culture. It has one of the world’s largest collections of songs, music, dance, theatre, folk traditions, performing arts, rites and rituals, paintings and writings that both form the Tangible and the Intangible cultural heritage.”

Ferry Trinidad, Digital Cluster Manager of Novotel, WTC, said that “we are always glad to welcome all artists and today’s event is very colourful and extravagant. We can really feel how colourful India through these artworks.”

Funun Arts is a non-profit platform where artists are given an opportunity to exhibit their talents in a space that is affordable and allows them the freedom to enhance their creativity. Emerging as an innovative idea amongst a few creatives in 2016, it was soon transformed into a cultural powerhouse by the Khan Sisters, Shiba and Farah. Shiba Khan is an artist, fashion designer and art activist and Farah Khan is a photographer, creative designer and food blogger.  Funun Arts has been involved in social causes, and has been engaged in offering a helping hand to those in need. More than 400 multinational artists are the part of the art community led by it.