"You Want to Fly, but the World Won’t Let You" by Christina Benevento

Mrutyunjaya Dash is a watercolorist and photographer, his work often depicts images and representations influenced by his native culture. Dash is from Orissa India, where he says the people are “humble, simple, and hardworking”, “India is filled with diverse culture which makes our heritage rich”, says Dash. He is a commercial artist and affluent in watercolor painting. Each specific work is special in its own way, as he portrays his images with intense emotion. His work is vibrant and rich; his use of color makes it possible for viewers to share this emotion. Dash has a way of cultivating his personal experiences and transforming them to his viewers in a way which makes you feel a part of it. Dash incorporates his Indian culture through images, as he is greatly influenced by his heritage and customs, almost as if he is telling a story. I enjoy Dash’s ability to create such a well depicted story of the way in which people live in India. “I like Orissa’s village scenes, as people here have adapted to live a basic lifestyle”, explains Dash. I am draw to the simplicity and ease in which the people of Orissa live.” On the flip side, India also has the city life with bustling population”, says Dash, as he also enjoys painting these cityscapes. His use of soft lines and rich color creates a sense of calm and stability which transforms you in time. Above all, Dash enjoys painting nature, and he says there is no greater or more powerful inspiration.

Dash shares what aspects drive his expressive, abstract nature to his artistic creations. He says that his brain is a constant thinking tool, and is continually observing various elements of life. Dash’s imagery often depicts women, which he explains to captivate elements of “water (cooling), fire (fierce), wind, and earth (life sustaining)”, as he merges these ideas to create his work. Mrutyunjaya describes feelings of being captivated or chained. “You want to do thing which society won’t allow, you want to fly, but the world won’t let you, so in those cases I make abstract paintings which reflect those feelings”, states Dash. When asked what his favorite part of watercolor painting is, he responded with, “wherever you put watercolor, it drips and it stains…wow.” What more is there to say? For all of us who have ever touched watercolor, we know exactly how he feels.

After a gracious interview with the artist, I have a better understanding of Mrutuyjaya’s thoughts and beliefs around his art. Do aspects of a culture different than your own intrigue observation?

Christina Benevento is an Art Educator, mother of two young children, and an Art Education graduate student at Buffalo State.