By Our Spl Correspondent
Shillong: At a solemn but meaningful function at the Brookside compound, Rilbong, Raphael Warjri, noted artist, film maker and author released his second book, Ka Thohdur Mynta (Art Today) on Monday.
The function chaired by RG Lyngdoh who also recently released his coffee table book of poems and pictures, A Point of View, saw the presence of art lovers and artists from across the region and elsewhere who were in Shillong to attend the workshop organised by Riti Academy.
The book which essentially captures the concept of Khasi indigenous art forms is the culmination of a series of symposia attended by artists over a period of time and Warjri’s personal research. Commenting on the book, Esther Syiem, Head of English Department, North Eastern Hill University, said she was deeply impressed by the meticulousness with which Raphael Warjri has worked to finally come out with the book. She expressed her amazement at the vocabulary that he has coined to define the various concepts of Khasi art.
“This book is long overdue as it is about the Khasi indigenous art form. It will be a very good guide book for budding artists and for posterity,” Prof Syiem said adding that Warjri has captured the entire facet of art from the visual to the pictorial. She commended Warjri for his persistence and hard work of translating visual art into the medium of writing.
Prof Syiem said what is remarkable about Raphael Warjri is that despite his talent he is unassuming and has an innate desire to share his talent with others and to learn from fellow artists.
Deputy Commissioner, East Khasi Hills, Sanjay Goyal while releasing the book of Khasi art, lauded Raphael Warjri for taking several initiatives to promote art and culture in Meghalaya.
“Although I am not connected with arts, I am grateful to Raphael Warjri and other artists for their thought provoking images. Without these art forms no society can be fully developed. Human are blessed with the power to think. It is this expression of the thought which keeps us alive,” Goyal remarked.
He rued the fact that the Lalit Kala Academy was intending to close shop in Meghalaya and said this should not be allowed to happen at any cost.
Stating that the District Arts and Culture Society under his watch is trying its utmost to promote art, culture, literature etc., Goyal said more people should evince interest in these events.
“The presence of an audience is important for an artist, so the next programme of this nature – a workshop of artists – should be held in a school or college for the benefit of young minds.
Dr Streamlet Dkhar from the Department of Khasi NEHU, suggested that visual arts should be promoted as an elective subject in schools as is happening elsewhere. She praised Warjri for the coinage of terminologies associated with arts in the Khasi language thereby enriching the concepts not thought of in the past.
Speaking of the book, Raphael Warjri said it is on visual art concept, history and the local folk tradition of art with a brief mention about Indian Art and World Art.
“I owe my fellow artists a debt of gratitude because this book is all about what I have learnt from them and their work. We have journeyed together and shared much and the result is this book. My humble attempt is to take art to a different level,” Warjri said.
Earlier the Director, Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) Dr Munish Singh while welcoming the audience said young and talented artists should know the meaning and philosophy of art and such workshops on the arts are a welcome initiative which the ICCR would readily support.
Archbishop Dominic Jala blessed the function and hoped that many more young artists would find an outlet and a space to get their work out to the world.