Sea gypsies to paint canvas blue

They are not sea gypsies nor are they sea merchants, they don’t live by the sea but still they love the sea. They are members of the Society of Indian Marine Artists (SIMA), who believe in spreading awareness about seas and oceans through their paintings.

“SIMA is the sister body of Indian Maritime Foundation (IMA) which aims to kindle maritime consciousness among the children and the youth by organising various activities. The society was formed in 2001 when Robert King, a member of the Royal Society of Marine Artists, UK, was invited by the IMA to conduct workshops at the Gateway of India in Mumbai and Empress Garden in Pune. The response was immense; hundreds of artists who were present loved the experience of painting the sea live and demanded that such workshops be held regularly. This was when SIMA was born,” said the society’s president, Commodore (retd) Ranjan Vir.

SIMA has 80 members, 65 out of whom are artists from Pune and Mumbai. The members are in the age-group of 13 years to 80 years. Professionals, amateurs, learners and hobbyists come together to paint and share their knowledge and experience.

Professional artist, 40-year-old Nandkishore Dhanekar, who has held 20 solo exhibitions, said, “Painting the sea is dynamic because it keeps changing. The clouds, waves, birds and the light changes as your painting progresses. Hence, the artist’s imagination plays an important part in portraying the correct picture.”

Dhanekar travelled from the coast of Mumbai to Kanyakumari to work on his seascapes. “In spite of travelling so much, I feel that I have not even covered 1/10th of the coast,” he added.

About the colours used in sea painting, he said, “We do not use white anywhere. The colour of canvas itself is the neutraliser and helps to play with the blue shade.”

Hoshar Kaikobad, who is an art teacher in a private city school, does his paintings using oil, acrylic and charcoal. He keeps travelling to beaches to paint nature on his canvas.

Ekta Agarwal, a young artist, who conducts art classes and whose three paintings will soon be on display, said, “My painting, ‘Divine Faith’ is about a sailor’s faith in God. The sea storm he is fighting against is subsiding and the dark clouds are moving out to give way to a bright clear sky.” 

Another artist Ashwini Bhat and her friend visited the Andaman to present the beauty of the islands to Puneites. She will display her painting of ‘Ross Island’, which is in ruins with trees and moss growing all over it.

SIMA holds workshops, lectures and competitions for children to promote interest in the marine life. The artists are also holding their 10th annual exhibition on the theme of ‘Beauty of the Oceans’ — Seascapes of India’s Coastal Heritage at Balgandharva Kaladalan till March 27.