Shakti started painting in the 70s and this is his 25th solo show . The paintings exhibited have never been shown before and this is really a mini retrospective . The works are done over several decades , most of them done during Shakti's stay in the U.S.A. Delicate still lifes and tree-scapes done using watercolours and ink . Bold nudes using acrylics, pastels , watercolours . Monks and The Corporate Man done during Shakti's corporate days , with his ever abiding fascination with Budhism . Al the way to his current work , where Shakti explores the visual form and colour of sound .

Shakti returned to India 5 years ago and realised the extent to which Indian art was leaning towards the West , perhaps as a result of globalisation . He also realised the importance of issues identity , direction, purpose and value , that art in India was struggling with . Shakti felt the aesthetic philosophy of India which was marked by integration and a deep understanding of the transformation in art and beauty was being forgotten .

This is what drove Shakti to write this book , " TOWARDS ANANDA " . It suggests a direction that avoids both revivalism and imitation . The book is centred in the present and future - on contemporary Indian art and its place in the emerging global art world . It explores ancient theories in the light of contemporary challenges . It illustrates the application of aesthetic values of balance , rhythm , harmony and proportions in art - as also in economics , development strategies , health , education , city planning , architecture and product design .

In short , in life . And since art can never be separate from the experience of reality , it is also a provocative commentary on the state and society that we are a part of .
Come , let's move " TOWARDS ANANDA "

Come have a conversation with Shakti over cocktails on 6th April , ' 06 6.30 pm onwards .