It is said that the present influences the past more than vice versa, since it is not only through the present that the past comes alive, but also because the values of today become the lens through which we understand the past. This is evident while examining Senthil Kumar’s oil paintings as he looks back at ancient India coloured through the lens of today. A figurative artist, his preoccupation with the Dravidian race consciously seems to adhere to the contemporary day understanding of this race as dark complexioned people with squat proportions. The female form, especially, is his forte and he creates them from memory as well as from live models. Though there is a hint of some narrative in few of the works, most of his figures are depicted in contemplative poses and gestures whereby even the individual figures in groups seem to exist in private worlds. While he adds a tinge of the contemporary in some of the costumes, the paintings have a certain ‘timeless’ feel, divorced from the noise and din of every day. The ambiguous, textured background with decorative details heightens this dream like atmosphere.

An artist whose journey evolved from the temple town of Kumbakonam to Bangalore, Senthil is inspired by eclectic sources ranging from traditional temple sculptures to contemporary cinema billboards. However the figures in his paintings with their stylised features, schematised drapery, large eyes and slightly rigid poses seem to have also been inspired by folk art. With an emphasis on line, minimal modelling and the use of sober and earthy hues, the figures in his paintings effortlessly evoke the feel of ‘Dravidian art’.

-V.R.V

“Each frame by itself reflects a sense of completion”. His works reflect sheer skill to introduce intricate details which accentuate his subject here-“the woman”. This series of his works have a few similarities like the self-engrossed and content woman, the style of beautification etc, the thoughts of the artist runs to every details from hair, flowers, texture, clothes etc which makes each frame unique and self-explanatory.

This concept of “sensible accentuation/beautification” is introduced here with a range of colors, textures, merging surroundings to create a fascinating Art. Also the composition itself makes the intricate details more prominent and we witness the magic of different elements weaved on so brilliantly.

The beauty is to see the knowledge and skill of the artist to use such bold colours, details and to create such diverse compositions which make each frame interesting in its own way…

- A.S.H