“Taking the Line for a Walk” is an activity that I conduct during my art education workshop for children. In this activity, I ask the children to draw a lineas if they are taking it for a walk. The objective is to make the children draw on a piece of paper their daily experiences and encounters. In much the same way, lines have accompanied the Artist Jayant Parikh as a companion developing a lifelong fruitful relationship. Art has therefore been a Sadhana, a visual meditation entrenched in his altruistic philosophy.

In the symphony of Parikh's artistic expression, one encounters the essence of Synesthetic Art, a distinctive fusion where the strokes of his brush are harmoniously entwined with the cadence of music or the rhythm of dance. This immersive approach not only defines his unique style but also extends an invitation to viewers to partake in the experience of synesthesia, blurring the boundaries between visual and auditory senses.

In 2005, when Jayant Parikh received a senior research fellowship from the Government of India, he decided to spend most of the money on travelling to the historical monuments. He took the lines to places like Bhimbetka, Sanchi, Khajuraho, Ajanta & Ellora caves, Champaner and other monuments marvelling at the architectural and sculptural beauty and documenting his experience through drawings, a selection of them are exhibited here.

Jayant Parikh's canvases are full of intriguing compositions, in a vast flat landscape, architectural motifs, sculptural figures, and dancing nymphs inhabit. He injects life into these forms through his unique brush strokes and mystical marks. The figures are animated with rhythmic movements. It is not just humans becoming alive but the monuments, sculptures, ruins, trees and even inanimate objects.

Monuments are not delipidated ruins but 'vestiges' of our century-old tradition. The Artists’ immersive and aesthetic interaction with these monuments serves as an inspiration to reimagine our engagement with these historical marvels, urging us to perceive them through a renewed lens.

Jayant Parikh, a proponent and practitioner of holistic human development, passionately endeavors to bridge the gap between art and society. His artistic mission extends beyond the canvas, striving to make art accessible to all. Deeply influenced by Eastern spiritual traditions, his visual expressions echo profound spiritual dimensions.

As you navigate through this exhibition, consider walking alongside the artist, attuning yourself to the rhythmic lines that have been his faithful companions for decades. These lines, pulsating with life and love, transcend prejudices and earthly bondages, embodying the very essence of Jayant Parikh's artistic legacy.

Jothi Xavier

Sarjan Art Gallery