The Art effect

I truly believe one should always listen to his inner voice. After staying in Mumbai for seven years at a stretch,one fine day I just thought of doing something which gives me immense satisfaction – painting,” says Pankaj Jha,who spent almost seven months to complete the creations and will be exhibiting in the city at Bliss Art Gallery. Jha has acted in movies like Black Friday,Gulaal,Chameli,Anwar and Matrubhoomi to name a few.

 Speaking more about his paintings and his works,he says,“My favourite subject is nature. For me painting should be appealing to one’s eyes; it is for viewing and not thinking.” His uses a mix of oil,acrylic,pen and ink in his creations. But the paintings of his current exhibition are only in acrylic.

Jha came close to art when he came in contact with Sukhmoy Da during his stay at Shantiniketan in 1980s. Later on,he went on to do a five-year course in fine arts from Patna. While working as a designer at National School of Drama (NSD),he developed a taste for acting too.

When asked which is more satisfying creatively – acting or painting,he says,“Definitely painting. Though I cannot pinpoint from what age but I do remember I used to sketch a lot during childhood. But more than being called a painter or actor,I would like to be called a human being,who is just following his heart.”

Briefing about his current projects and future plans,he says,“I am quite happy playing the character Parvat Ram,who is the father of the protagonist in the TV serial Kaashi.” As far as his future subjects of paintings are concerned,Jha wants to experiment with subject like spiritualism. “Although most of my paintings are nature-based I haven’t painted mountains till now,I would love to try my hand at that,” he concludes.

(Jha’s creations are exhibited at Bliss Art Gallery,Koregaon Park,till April 5,10 am to 6 pm)