Aryabhata is here
Danapaur Station after we had created the artwork: Aryabhata and his ‘magic realist’ world painted in full glory!
Danapur Station: Before the Artwork
Danapur is a satellite town of Patna in Bihar, constituted as a municipality way back in 1887. Danapur’s railway station has always carried a lot of importance for the state and the country. Above is the picture of the historical but rather dull Danapur station and how we found it.
The Vision of Aryabhata in a Digital Sketch
We conceived the portrait of Aryabhata and his majestic vision for the walls of Danapur Station. Aryabhata (476–550 CE) was the first of the major mathematician-astronomers from the classical age of Indian mathematics and Indian astronomy. Aryabhata is said to be born in erstwhile Kusumapura or Pataliputra (present day Patna, Bihar), thus an apt figure to appear on the walls of his native state.
Danapur Station Set in Blue
The station facade wall was given a blue base coating to prepare for the artwork. And so started the process of converting the banal facade of the station into a tribute to one of the greatest sons of Bihar.
Danapur Riders (October-November) by Nilesh KharadeWalk for Bihar
Danapur Riders!
Fearlessly straddling the metal scaffolding, Nilesh is seen giving the first brushstrokes to bring his vision to life.
Vital Local Support
Nilesh was assisted by Soma Anand, Satya Sarth and Alam Khan. Patna resident artists Binita and Mamta Keshri also helped him complete the artwork in about a week. The final artwork stands 225 feet wide and 24 feet tall.
Tracing Out the details
The digital copy of the art work was projected on the walls of the Station. The venue of the art work became a ‘live art studio’ for the ongoing Walk for Bihar Public Art Festival. Members of public engaged with the Art team over the creative process giving instant feedback and often a pat on our backs.
Sketch Projection
Nilesh at work late into the evening. He had a huge portrait in mind, but the area available was such that he came with this unique solution to split Aryabhata's portrait and paint the mathematician into three parts, creating a unique presentation.
I was here- Aryabhatt (October-November) by Nilesh KharadeWalk for Bihar
A Floating Vision? Nilesh used a comic book treatment to his painting thus giving it an immediate, popular appeal.
Aryabhata in Fish-eyed Detail (October-November) by Nilesh KharadeWalk for Bihar
The fish-eyed lens skews to amplify the magic realist feel of the painting and brings a new shade to the Aryabhata's world that has been portrayed.
Central Motif
Danapur Station entrance stood transformed on the completion of the art work! The painting style is essentially derived from Nilesh Kharade’s talent at line drawing; the portrait is dominated with hatch line style, lending to its seamlessness, vibrancy and magic realism.
I was here- Aryabhatt (October-November) by Nilesh KharadeWalk for Bihar
The portrait of Aryabhata is split into three parts, a decision taken as a result of the limited space but which led to a beautiful surrealistic effect.
The portrait of Aryabhata is split into three parts, a decision taken as a result of the limited space but which led to a beautiful surrealistic effect.
The portrait of Aryabhata is split into three parts, a decision taken as a result of the limited space but which led to a beautiful surrealistic effect.
I was here- Aryabhatt (End quater of 2016)Walk for Bihar
Patience Pays!
Video showing art work in progress with public participation and occasional commentary on the subject of the painting.
Walk for Bihar – Public Art Festival - Chapter 2016
Artist – Nilesh Kharade
Festival Director & Curator – Abhishek Kumar
Festival Producer – Manish Tiwary
Cinematographer – Sumit Das
Supported By –
Art Culture & Youth Department, Govt. of Bihar
Eastern Central Railway, Indian Railwaays
Bharati Projects
Copious Software
Art Warriors – Shams Alam, Manoj Kumar & Others.
