“The Mystic and Her Colours”, a unique coffee table book of award-winning art and lyrical prose by the mystic Pratiksha Apurv was launched by Vishal Bhardwaj, the film director, screenwriter, producer, music composer & playback singer, and his wife Rekha Bhardwaj, here in Mumbai on Wednesday.
The book, a compilation of spiritual artworks and accompanying text, which were first published in The Speaking Tree newspaper from the Times of India Group, is published by Times Group Books, the publishing division of The Times of India Group.
Speaking at the event, Vishal Bhardwaj said: “I never knew that spirituality can be painted. I always thought that spirituality was an inherent expression. To give such a tone to spirituality that cannot be expressed in words is very special. The silence that comes out can only be felt and not expressed.” He also said that “Music too, I think, is one step short of silence. In fact, all the fine arts – music, painting, poetry – all lead us to silence… nothingness… and this book is representative of all – it is poetic, it is musical and it is art or painting on the surface– a combination of all three.”
Rekha Bhardwaj added: “The book is too beautiful, I have no words to explain. It’s to be observed and absorbed. Pratiksha has been an Osho sanyasin and has been exposed to Osho’s teachings/philosophies since childhood as she is also Osho’s niece. I really like her colour palette and the fineness of her work. I am a student of art these days and I can now understand the mosaic tiling she has made. Its fineness is very difficult to achieve. These paintings have to be done in different layers to get this final version. I understand from Pratiksha that she listens to Osho’s discourses and prepares herself to start the painting. Every painting is a journey by itself.”
Pratiksha Apurv said: “The Mystic and Her Colours was conceived when i started writing regular columns elaborating on my paintings. As i was painting and simultaneously writing on so many spiritual themes, the book finally started taking the shape. The synthesis of canvas and white spaces between the lines felt like my brush and pen had caught something overflowing from existence. While my artworks inspired by Osho’s vision became colorful notes, the articles, now part of this book functioned as a flute. This unique book is an example that canvases speak too…but its language is that of a flower and i hope all the seekers can experience its fragrance.”
