On display at the Kalakriti Art Gallery, Orijit Sen's digital artworks pay homage to the rich cultural fabric of Hyderabad.
Published Aug 24, 2023 | 4:20 PM ⚊ Updated Aug 24, 2023 | 4:20 PM
Orijit Sen is the author of the first graphic novel of India 'River of Stories', published in 1994. (Supplied)
Picture an aerial vista of Laad Bazaar in Hyderabad’s Old City, aglow with vibrant lights and bustling with vendors and eateries.
This dynamic sight, among others, lays the foundation for Heart-ich Hyderabadi, graphic artist and designer Orijit Sen’s poignant tribute to the city. The artwork vividly captures the Old City’s lively and chromatic cultural landscape that shaped Sen’s early years.
Hailing from Goa, Orijit underwent training at the National Institute of Design (NID) during the 1980s. His notable achievements include authoring India’s inaugural graphic novel, River of Stories (1994).
Sen’s family traversed different Indian cities during his upbringing due to his father’s transferable job at the Survey of India.
Among these cities, Hyderabad held a special place in his heart, especially during his teenage years.
“I am eternally grateful to my art teacher at Hyderabad Public School, who allowed me to skip my PT classes (with a formal letter, no less!) so that I could spend more time honing my art skills,” shared the artist during an interaction at Kalakriti Art Gallery, where his digital masterpieces are on display.
Pista House is well known for its haleem. (Supplied)
The creation of Heart-ich Hyderabad was spurred by a commission from Kalakriti Art Gallery’s owner Prshant Lahoti.
Sen’s previous artwork on Punjab exhibited at the India Art Fair in 2016, left Lahoti astounded, prompting him to collaborate with Sen.
Over the past seven years, Sen and his team of collaborators embarked on numerous journeys to meticulously capture Hyderabad’s vignettes in striking detail.
The term Heart-ich, rooted in the Dakhini language, aptly characterises this art series, capturing the quintessence of Hyderabad.
The series starts with a Charminar glass model at the entrance, crafted for Sen’s installation at the 2016 Kochi-Muziris Biennale. This captivating model, against a gallery window overlooking Kochi’s harbour and ocean, resulted in an immersive artistic image.
Orijit’s depiction of what goes into the making of haleem. (Supplied)
Thus, the Char Charminar Series was born — an exploration of Charminar depicted in four diverse contexts and settings.
The first, The Garden of Poetry, depicts Muhammad Quli Qutb Shah, the visionary of Charminar, an architect, and accomplished poet in Persian, Urdu, and Telugu.
The second artwork, Charminar Station with a View of Mt Fuji, pays homage to Japanese master Hokusai, whose mystical landscapes deeply influenced Sen.
Here, Charminar becomes monumental, with a railway station on its terrace, against the backdrop of Mt Fuji.
The third context, the Lighthouse of Alexandria, symbolises Hyderabad as a sanctuary and a beacon of hope for settlers worldwide, including Iranians and Turks.
The fourth, Istanbul Snow, presents a portrait of Turkish Princess Durru Shehvar. Having married the son of Nizam Mir Osman Ali Khan, she contributed to Hyderabad’s modernisation. The snow globe depiction of Hyderabad provides a glimpse into the princess’s memories of Istanbul’s snow gently gracing her adoptive city.
Sen’s profound inspiration drawn from life in the Old City is evident in his other works.
Eid at Laad Bazaar. (Supplied)
Muharram, a poignant creation, was born from his deep emotional connection to the Ashura procession in the Old City five years ago. “The slow, intense, sorrowful yet ultimately uplifting experience cannot be put into words,” Sen shared.
He immediately began sketching the images from memory. Later, he enlisted his co-artists to journey to Hyderabad, to capture Muharram’s essence through photographs, videos, and sketches.
The result is a breathtaking portrayal of the procession, featuring a majestic elephant, devotees in contemplation, and the disruption of daily life as the procession passes through busy streets.
Laad Bazaar Eid offers an aerial view of festive Hyderabad at its peak, adorned with shimmering lights and bustling streets surrounding Charminar.
The scene features bangle vendors, jewellery shops, and enthusiastic shoppers, exuding the festive spirit. Open eateries cater to late-night cravings, and families revel in their best attire during Ramzan outings.
Muharram on display at Kalakriti Art Gallery, Hyderabad. (Supplied)
Haleem Makers and the iconic Pista House also make appearances, celebrating Hyderabad’s culinary expertise and its famous gourmet dish, haleem. Shah Ali Banda, where modernity meets tradition, showcases linear symmetry and an intriguing kite-eating tree.
In contemplating the essence of identity and the notion of belonging, Sen raises a thought-provoking query: “What defines a Hyderabadi? Must one hail from a place to claim its identity?”
“In this era of globalised cultures, diasporic communities, and manifold identities, these questions intrigue us. Through my work centred on Hyderabad’s Old City, I have attempted to respond to them,” he added.
Leaving us with these reflections, his artworks invite us to ponder the intricate interplay of identity, heritage, and global dynamics.
Through his work immortalising Hyderabad, he urges us to explore the evolving nature of human connection in an ever-changing world.
(You can experience ‘Heart-ich Hyderabadi’ at Kalakriti Art Gallery, Hyderabad, until 13 September. To experience a slice of the artist’s work, visit Instagram @Kalakritiartgallery @orijitzen)
