Nayanaa Kanodia a demure but confident lady of the world just finished her 19th solo show at the Museum Art Gallery in Mumbai. With no formal training in art, except for a short 1 year apprenticeship with Anjolie Ela Menon, a burning desire to paint and armed with her grit & determination, Nayanaa has scaled great heights in the art world. Nayanaa is the first Indian of Non British origin whose works are in the collection of the “Paintings in Hospitals” UK. In 1998 she was selected by the Commonwealth Institute for a solo show in their newly renovated complex in London. In 2001 she was invited by Victoria & Albert Museum London to exhibit her works and give a demonstration of her painting technique.
The show titled “ A City Wakes Up Inside Me” is a tribute to Mumbai. She was shaken up after the terrorist attack where she lost some dear friends & relatives. Her simplistic style transports one to another era. A dream city hers & ours is put on canvas. A city so clean and organized….There were paintings of heritage monuments, the Flora Fountain, Princess Street and the Municipal Corporation which she has so aptly titled Manipulation Corporation. One cannot miss the witty underlying humour in the paintings. Nayanaa believes a city would be lifeless without its people. Ordinary people whom we miss noticing would probably fade into oblivion with economic progress. Like a man on a cycle or the Barber at the Nukkad. Her figurative works unravel a story within the frame. “Looking Pretty” & “Morning News” are scenes one can relate to with ease.
Nayanaa’s popularity can be judged by the turnout of guests who turned up in full force. The preview was well attended by Jehangir Sabawal, Shobha De, Anjolie Ela Menon and the entire art fraternity.
