Traditional grid systems of India. A talk by Sri Parameshwar Raju on 14th November at 5:00pm

Typography Society of India, Design Lecture Series.

Traditional grid systems of India. 

A talk by Sri Parameshwar Raju on 14th November 2020, Saturday, at 5:00pm

Recording of the talk is available at 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hHo8hyLDpj8


A documentary film on Parameshwar Raju is available in YouTube












This topic will be useful for those in the area of graphic design, product design, architecture, craft and artefacts.

In India, the grid was always a part of tradition and it has been practiced with the faith to the extent of religious doctrine. It has a large variety in form and application. In the past few centuries, the meaning of grid has shifted from interface between physical and super physical worlds to interface between physical world and its perception by the rational cognition. Process of creation is an initiation and a sharing knowledge of the craft and information gathered and referred from nature.
Listening, seeing, feeling, understanding and experiencing the physical forms and worshiping this source of creation gave an immense joy of being part of it. It was a source of wonder and an aesthetic which made living a wonderful experience.
Life in nature and its adaptation to its surroundings was a visual experience. This knowledge led to create things. The basics were from nature. The geometry to the existence and the functions of the five elements made creating of objects with added functionality a joyful experience.
From making of houses and shrines to toys for children to weaving to cultivation and gathering of food to making of vessels for cooking and using fire as a source of energy have a reference in nature. Looking for an answer or an idea is unique. People in various geographical regions have created and adopted things for their requirements which are related and referred to their surroundings. Hence the change of aesthetic and functionality of things created by them. There is so much creation around us. Being part of this creation helps in understanding nature better. One tends to look inside oneself and share that experience. The experience is different. Hence the variation in the same idea which makes creating a object exiting. This started a process of trade with and within the communities.

The exercise in this set is creating of products and images from shared information from nature. The speaker attempts to use this aesthetic in blending it into the narrative of nature.


About the Speaker:

Poosapati Parameshwar Raju



Parameshwar’s creativity as an Artist, Calligrapher and his expertise in Communication, Documentation and Publication design, is celebrated across the Globe. In his work, we witness the phenomenon of a new genre that could be termed as iconic -calligraphy. The artist engages with a distinguished form of expression that traverses both traditional and contemporary terrains. 

His images are offspring of an epistemological discernment and the minimalist’s aesthetic, ensuing from his personalized research of iconography, signs, and symbols inherent in the Indian ceremonial culture.  He has been practicing for the last 30 years.  

Parameshwar is one of the Trustees of Jagdish and Kamla Mittal Museum of Indian Art, Hyderabad. His Book Designs and Documentation work for the Museums  have set new standards for Museum Publications and is being followed by leading Museums all over the world. 

He is in the process of setting up a Foundation for the Arts for generating work for artisans with his design forms and traditional art and craft, for the self reliance of artisans, specific to Indian regions.

Academics

Secondary Education: Sainik School, Amaravathi Nagar, Tamil Nadu and Kendriya Vidyalaya,
Southern Command, Pune, Maharashtra.



1980–1985: Stood third in order of merit in BFA (Applied Art) from Government School of Art, Aurangabad (Dn). 

2005: Received State Award from Potti Sriramulu Telugu University 

2011: Masters in Applied Art ( Typography ) from BAM University, Aurangabad (Dn) 

2013: Awarded at the Phoenix Art Festival 2013 

Senior Research Fellowship (2013 to 2015) from the Ministry of Culture, Government of India

2017: Masters in Applied Art ( Visualization) from BAM University, Aurangabad (Dn) 

Authored: Traditional Indian Grid

Association with Lalit Kala Akademi

Communication Design, Aesthetics and Design Solutions for External Landscaping

2015-16

Calligraphy workshop of eminent calligraphers and typographers organized by Aksharaya in Bhor, Pune, December 2016

At  Park Hyatt, Hyderabad, exhibition of selected works; Must have been love, curated by Koeli Mukherjee Ghose, February to March 2016

Sulekhan, Calligraphy Workshop, at the Hyderabad Literary festival, curated by Koeli Mukherjee Ghose January 2016

At Art Spice Gallery, New Delhi: 

Showcasing of Three Wise Men to the Tree of Celebration - Journey of a Breath: A narrative in calligraphy, unveiling the main incidents reflecting the life of Jesus and Christian Symbolism, and launch of the artist’s book - The Tree of Celebration, curated by Koeli Mukherjee Ghose, 11 December 2015 to 12 January 2016

Forms of Devotion curated by Sushma Bahl, showcased by MOSA in Shanghai China,  from 5 November 2015 to February 2016. 

At Valladolid from 2 Sep to 25 Sep 2016.
At Madrid CC Conde Duque from 13 Oct 2016 to 18 January 2017. 
At Valladolid, Casa de la India, from 14 Oct 2016 to 16 Dec 2016.



Geetopadesham from the Mahabharata series in a group show titled ‘Calligraphy tells the Beauty’ at Korean Cultural Center, New Delhi, 14 September to 16 October 2015 and at the InKo Centre in Chennai, 26 October to 15 November 2016.

Khushkhati, A workshop of Urdu Calligraphy with M A Gaffar and his students of Idara e Adabiyat at the Hyderabad Literary Festival 2015, curated by Koeli Mukherjee Ghose and invited by Goethe Zentrum, Hyderabad. 

One Asia Project, showcased a selection of work from the series on the ‘Sun’ in Taipei, 2014

2014

Hyderabad Literary Festival, Saptaparni, Hyderabad, and Goethe Zentrum released Ramayanam in Calligraphy by Parameshwar Raju and showcased the series of 34 frames at Saptaparni, curated by Koeli Mukherjee Ghose from February to March 2014.

2013

Lore of belief at Gallery Ashok, Amsterdam, exhibited from July  to November 2013.

Exhibited at the Phoenix Art Festival 2013, at the Nehru Centre, Mumbai.

Sacred is the passion for Sacred  integrity, Retrospective, Gallery Art Spice, New Delhi, till June, 2013

Lore of Belief - a  traveling exhibition  of his works curated by Art Historian, Koeli Mukherjee Ghose, showcased at the Poecile Gallery, Hyderabad, in March 2013, and earlier in January 2013 it was showcased at the Orthic Creative Centre, Nanappa Gallery, Kochi, as a collateral event during Kochi Muziris Biennale in early January 2013

2012

Invited to take part in Ek Sutra an International Exhibition of Calligraphy at IIC Gallery, New Delhi, by Qalamkari, curated by Qamar Dagar, as part of the Project One Asia, 2012

Presentation at the pavilion of Indian art at the 5th International Biennale in Beijing in September 2012. Creating a cultural connect between both the countries at the very onset of the exhibition prepared and presented by Lalit Kala Akademi.

 Permanent collections

The Museum of Sacred Art, Brussels, Belgium houses a collection of all series - from Buddhist Symbols, Sikh Symbols, Jewish Symbols, names of Allah, the Ahura Mazda, Christian Symbols, Epic Narratives, the Ramayanam and the Bhagavatam under the title, Timeless Art.

Work experience

August 2008 to 2018: Working from personal Art & Design Studio creating product designs related to traditional crafts, Corporate design, packaging and documentation for art. 

February 2004 to July 2008: Concept and execution in setting up the Kalahita Art Foundation, by Nagarjuna Fertilizers and Chemicals Limited as Director of Arts.

February 2004 to July 2008: Nagarjuna Fertilizers and Chemicals Limited, Design Director and Head, NFCL Design Studio.

2005 to 2007: Nominated member of core group - Product Design, Development and Diversification and Marketing Support Cell, Central Silk Board, Ministry of Textiles, Government of India.

2004: Sree Designs, Hyderabad, Head Graphic Design.



2002 to 2003: Member of Design and Marketing Team for revival of APCO, Department of Industries, Government of Andhra Pradesh.



30 October, 1997 to 30 October 2003: SSC&B - Lintas Limited Hyderabad, as Creative Director.

1 November, 1992 to 25 October, 1997: Everest Advertising Pvt. Limited, Hyderabad, as Sr. Art Director and Associate Creative Director.

9 July, 1990 to 25 October, 1992: Mudra Communications Limited, Ahmedabad, as an Art Director. 

1985 to 1998: Visiting Faculty at Government School of Art, Aurangabad (Dn) 

27 May 1985 to 5 July 1990: Marketing Consultants and Agencies Limited, Bangalore, as a Visualizer.  

Solo exhibitions 

ICCR, Ravindra Bhavan, Hyderabad / Le Café D’Art, Hyderabad / G C Laha Centenary Fine Arts Gallery, Kolkata / Kalahita Art Foundation, Hyderabad / Lalit Kala Akademi, New Delhi / WSCA, Kolkata / Standard Chartered Bank, Bangalore / Apparao Galleries, Chennai /  The Marriott, Hyderabad / Taj Krishna, Hyderabad / Our Place, Hyderabad / Truffles Café, Hyderabad / Smart Art Company, Germany / Akruti, Baroda / Ethos Art Gallery, Bangalore / Weavers Center for the Arts, Kolkata / Suruchi Art Gallery, Noida / Shrishti Art Gallery, Hyderabad / Taj Hotel, Mount Road, Chennai / Emami Chisel, Kolkata / Art Serenity, New Delhi / ICCR, Azad Bhavan, New Delhi / ICICI Bank, Hyderabad / Orthic Creative Centre, Kochi / Poecile Gallery of Art and Fashion, Hyderabad/ Art Spice Gallery, New Delhi / Annexe Gallery, India International Centre, New Delhi / Taj Palace, New Delhi / Ailamma Art Gallery, Hyderabad / Gallery Ashok, Amsterdam / MOSA, Brussels, Belgium / Park Hyatt, Hyderabad,Online Solo, Art World, Sarala’s Art Centre.

 

Group exhibitions

ICCR, Ravindra Bhavan, Hyderabad / Standard Chartered Bank, Bangalore / Dubai Art Festival  / Al Murooj Rotana, Dubai/ ICICI Bank, Hyderabad / Phoenix Art Festival 2013 / India International Centre, New Delhi / Korean Cultural Center, New Delhi / Ailamma Art Gallery, Hyderabad /  Avishkar2016 Birla Academy, Kolkata / MOSA, Lalit Kala Akademi, New Delhi / MOSA, Shanghai, China / MOSA, Valladolid, Spain / MOSA, CC Conde Duque, Madrid, Spain / Valladolid, Casa de la India, Spain / Jehangir Art Gallery, Mumbai / Entrance Gallery, Kala Ghoda, Mumbai /  Art World, Sarala’s Art Centre.



Workshops 

Government School of Art , Aurangabad / CAVA, Mysore / Chitrakala Parishath, Bangalore / Government School of Fine Arts and Crafts, Kolkata / Broadridge Financial Solutions, Hyderabad / NIFT, Hyderabad / Orthic Creative Centre, Kochi / Guruvayur Devaswom Institute of Mural Painting, Guruvayur / Poecile Art gallery, Hyderabad / Our Place, Hyderabad / Ailamma Art gallery, Hyderabad. 


Lectures

Government School of Art, Aurangabad (Dn) / CAVA, Mysore / Chitrakala Parishath, Bangalore / S.V College of Fine Arts, Hyderabad / JNTU, Hyderabad / Government College of Art and Crafts, Kolkata / NIFT, Hyderabad / Tripura Central University, Agartala / Ecole Mumbai

 Visiting FacultyGovernment School of Art, Aurangabad (Dn) / CAVA, Mysore / Chitrakala Parishath, Bangalore /  NIFT, Hyderabad / Tripura Central University, Agartala / Ecole Mumbai

Publications 

Guileful Strokes, ISBN 81 7525 410 6

The Benign Perch - The Imagined Tree, ISBN 81 901 784 0 7

Bliss of Being - Works of Poosapati Parameshwar Raju, ISBN 978 81 901784 2 6

Ramayanam - Lore of Belief, Iconic Calligraphy by Poosapati Parameshwar Raju

Aum - the Divine Sound of Creation, Iconic Calligraphy by Poosapati Parameshwar Raju

Dasavataram - Lore of Belief, Iconic Calligraphy by Poosapati Parameshwar Raju  

Tree of Celebrations Depiction of the Story of Jesus in calligraphy, by Poosapati Parameshwar Raju  

Divine Presence –  Symbolic depiction of the feet of of Gods, Godesses and Spiritual masters. 

Shakti – Calligraphic depiction of the Godess as the embodiment of strength in a range of images with reference to epic narratives and mythologies, by Poosapati Parameshwar Raju  

Nava Durga – Depiction of nine forms of Durga, worshipped and celebrated during spring and autumn in India.

Dwadash Jyotir Lingas – A Visual narrative of the twelve Jyotirlingas in a series of twelve works along with a few images of the adoration of Shiva, by Poosapati Parameshwar Raju.  

Bhoota lingas –  Bhoota lings in calligraphy is a anthology of forms from the Pancha bhoota sthalam; the five  temples dedicated to Shiva, each being an expression of the five elements of nature, land, water, air, sky  and fire by Poosapati Parameshwar Raju.  

Ashtavinayaka – Ganesha in Calligraphy including all the forms of Ashta Vinayaka, a visual pilgrimage, covering the eight ancient holy temple of ganeshas in natural formations, that are situated around Pune  by Poosapati Parameshwar Raju.  

Hanuman – A selection of Pictorial calligraphy by Parameshwar Raju to exult the great role hanuman played in Ramayanam that he thoroughly studied from the composition of Tulsidas and other great devotees and saints. The story of Hanuman is evoked here to restore Veer Rasa, an essence of internal strength to overcome challenges of our body and mind. The lyrical rhythm of Calligraphy transmits a beautiful sense of energy. 

Ganesha – Parameshwar’s references are from the temple carvings, rituals and cultural narratives and his works unfurl a plethora of images and beliefs that go hand in hand in seeing  Ganesha in as many forms as his devotees have desired down the ages.

Gurus and Avataras – A series dedicated to the Spiritual masters bear proof of the artist’s dexterity in conveying distinctive detail of personalities, created with minimum strokes that characterize his work by Poosapati Parameshwar Raju  

Bhagvatam – Krishna depicted in calligraphy, across narrations from Hindu philosophical and theological tradition by Poosapati Parameshwar Raju   ions wherein he is portrayed in various forms and amidst a range of activities 

Radiant Flow -  a series on deepam by Poosapati Parameshwar Raju. 



Must Have Been love – Interpreting devotion in the form of love for nature , the universe, the country , its tradition and mythologies by Poosapati Parameshwar Raju  

 The Valentine Guy – The healing power of Love by by Poosapati Parameshwar Raju.

Jagannath of Puri – the cosmic collaboration of the creator and all that is created, The overwhelming significance of Jagannath combining the spiritual and the social aspect of working together.

The Nurtured Daughter - The journey of the girl child who is conditioned to grow up into a strong woman.



Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Muthu Nedumaran Speaking on Font Design, Font Engineering and Annai Multiscript Tyeface. 6th March 2021 at 5:00pm IST

Typography Society of India. Design Lecture Series.12th December, 2020. Ms Anagha Narayanan.

The Typography Society of India : Story so far.