Varsha Kharatmal
Born and brought up in Maharashtra, Varsha comes from a family of painters and calligraphers. Her father was an artist and her grandfather was a sculptor, which ensured that Varsha spent her childhood with colours and artistic inspirations. Varsha received her Diploma in Drawing and Painting from Kala Mahavidyala in Satara.
Having spent most of her childhood around typical Maharashtrian women, these gorgeous ladies and their charming beauty made their way into Varsha’s canvas as subjects. The artist adorns these sensuous ladies with traditional Maharashtrian jeweller such as nath; the nose-ring, khopa; the hair clip, tucked in a high hair bun, along with chandrakor bindi (crescent moon bindi) necklaces, earrings, glass bangles, etc. To top it all, her subjects are dressed in the statement ‘nauvari’, the 9-yard long beautiful and regal Maharashtrian sarees. Often, men accompany these stunning beauties in Varsha’s paintings, dressed in traditional dhotis and safa or the turban, sporting luscious moustaches.
Eyes are one of the most prominent features of Varsha’s subjects, making her subjects Meenakshi i.e. women with eyes shaped like fish. Along with their typical shape, Varsha breaths life in their eyes, making them extremely expressive. Some art enthusiasts denote them to be “talking eyes”. Being speech and hearing impaired, “eyes that speak” is not only a symbol or enhancement of her art but also a medium of her voice. Since her childhood, art was the only way Varsha enjoyed expressing herself and conveying her opinions. Her art reflects her confidence, the strength and her prowess that she carries in her daily life.
Varsha’s brushwork flows with ease, it is light and refreshing, and her colours are bright. Her artwork, just like her subjects is absolutely elegant, bold, and vibrant. With a beautiful blend of realism and miniature art form, Varsha illustrates the essence of womanhood on the canvas. Even when her sketches are monochromatic, Varsha’s artwork carries the same sensuality and luscious beauty. Her subjects are equally appealing and gorgeous.
The artist uses rural settings from Maharashtrian villages, her backgrounds, which are often decorated with motifs, that resonate rangoli and many other traditional art forms found in Maharashtrian culture and homes. The artist has exhibited her work in many shows and exhibitions across India.
