In an interview published in India’s weekly weekly In March 1990, artist Madhavi Parekh spoke Manu Parekh, her husband and fellow artist, describing, Their ability to explain various aspects of other things Life for him. “There is one thing that I like very much Manu, and this is his ability to explain things in a very simple And clearly. Also, “She says,” despite living In his entire life cities, he is very aware about the life and village life The compulsion of the villagers. ,
The village holds a central place in Madhavi’s art, for someone familiar with his work. This is the heartbeat of his practice – the village and its people are the mainstay of his work in the last six decades. Recognized as one of the influential artists in India, Parekh is a pioneer in the realm of folk modernism, depicting deeply with his childhood memories in a village in Gujarat.
“Although it is confident as a person, Madhavi was initially uncertain about art,” Manu says, who is recurring with a serious leg injury. Meanwhile, Madhavi is busy in the kitchen, preparing Masala chai And snacks to go with our conversation. “She is always happy to avoid interview,” Manu said, “I have to talk on her side. I ask about the dimension of any of her paintings, and I will tell you everything in detail,” they say. Madhavi, on her side, repeats, “I don’t like to talk much. I have done my work, you can understand what you have to do,” she laughs, urges us to eat well.
There is a quiet experience sitting in a couple’s house in Chittaranjan Park in South Delhi. The walls of the house are paintings made by artist-kupal, who have now been married for 66 years. “When I was 12 years old, I was engaged to Madhavi and she was 9 years old – [she was] The tomb of a real village, full of high souls, and a rebel in the heart, ”he is quoted in a piece published in 1992 The Times of IndiaIn another piece, Manu recalls how he exchanged letters before his marriage – Madhavi, he noted, took six months to respond.
Artist Madhavi Parekh | Photo Credit: DAG
There is no clear memory of his first meeting nor he. But both agree that, over time, they have created a synergy – a cool and baseless support system in each other. In a world where marriage institution often faces stress – marked by increasing complications, disconnections and irreversible breakdowns in relationships – Madhavi and Manu have navigated their journey with a simplicity that feels rapidly rare to find and inspect. “Who doesn’t have a problem?” Madhavi says that this is the case. “You have to face; just don’t leave.” Manu accepts the complexities of relationships, especially when we live. In his view, what matters the most has the ability to recognize a woman Pehdhan (Identification), his talent – accepting him beyond the traditional roles of a wife, mother, daughter or sister, allows them to really flourish. Just as much as she may direct her, she admits that she too, is a grounding force in her life and has kept her focused.
Art and marriage
Madhavi Parekh with her artist husband Manu Parekh. , Photo Credit: DAG
After spending time with them in some meetings, it is not difficult to note how they easily guide each other. Whether it is being used for each other or in shared rhythm, they are clearly each other’s homes. Back in 1994, Hindu Started a series with title Artist couple: how they face art and lifeIn the initial piece, the author Anjali Sarkar gave several examples of the western -world couples, who had benefited emotionally by their colleagues and destroyed both. “Dorothy Perlstein left her painting career to support her husband Philip Perlstein’s ambitions. Edward Hopper’s wife, Joe, did the same,” said this piece., “Spouses and friends have also proved to be important in the continuous activity of many artists. Almost the entire abstract-abusive movement of the 1940s and the 50s was supported by wives of prominent artists … Mark Rothk’s wife worked as a model to support them … It was a tradition for the artists to marry working women.”
Sitting in his room, Manu says with a sense of pride, “Even today, when we talk to each other, I am interested in her. What she is thinking about her work, her art, as a woman? I like to attach, and she does so.” He further says, “Therefore our relationship is getting so strong.” According to him, it is at a very brain level – and yet with complete simplicity – that they talk to each other. “We are an artist interested in each other’s work, and our talks are about everything related to our life and whatever comes with it,” they say. In his share, Madhavi agrees that Manu is a patron, friend and husband who first saw his ability as an artist. “I still think, I must have been a good teacher,” she laughs. While Manu shakes her head laughing, “See, she can get all recognition as an artist, but she still wants to become a Montessori teacher.”
Decades ago, when he lived in Bombay – went to the city in the early 1960s – Madhavi did a course in Montessori teaching. She was in love with her conversation with the children and completely taken from her art innocence. Interestingly, his art maintains a sense of innocence of children, while maturing in execution. Fascinating with the art she saw, she started doodle at home in her free time. Says Manu, “I was the first person to present my talent,” stating that his questions about art during their visits in various exhibitions and galleries – especially in the early years of marriage – fascinated them. “It was the beginning of our deep bond as husband and wife, and the art was a major factor connecting us,” he indicates.
Together they have traveled around the world, managing the day-to-day matters of domestic life and participated in artist residence and experienced life. Through all this, Madhavi credited her husband to guide her through many streets and motives of various roads in unknown places. “By myself, I don’t like to go out,” she says.
Specific stroke
Manu strongly believes that even after so many years, their marriage has been kept strong, it is real interest that they take each other’s life. This is especially meaningful, given that both are artists. While they do not force their respective opinions on each other’s work, they provide guidance without intervention. ,My Demand Pisces, Aadhaar Main Hoon, Audi Woh (In my mind, I am half and that is [my other] Half, “He says, accepting the depth of his relationship. He admitted that he never thought that Madhavi’s recognition as an artist would reach such heights. In his view, she was filling the gap of a folk modernist – no recognition was for that ability after the ground Roy.” I knew that he always supports me, and I knew that he would always support me. Both of us did not guess how far she would go and appreciate her art, ”they say.
Painting by Madhavi Parekh
She is attentive in her ways, quietly focusing on it when she is working around the house, instructing employees or just bringing her medicines, notebooks or sketchbooks. “Freedom,” he says confidently, “so important in any relationship. You cannot bind anyone else [down] According to your craze and fans. Look at Madhavi, “he continues,” he is such a strong, confident person. ” Now imagine, tying a person down like him, removing his talent. If he prevents the creativity of his partner, what would it do for any man? “Madhavi also agrees that a constant guidance Manu has introduced her in all these years, which is to discover her personal inclination and interests, one of the reasons that her job is so special.
Manu claims that he has no formal understanding of feminism: “Main kuch zay jaid bol nahi paoong (I will not be able to say a lot) … I will all say that men should be stopped from scaring and confident women should be stopped. They are excellent company. In addition, a woman must be numerous There is a possibility – like a man does – to prove himself worthy of himself. Just return it, he is already able to achieve anything on his own. ,
Madhavi Parekh: Remembered Tales Dag is seen in New Delhi till 23 August.
Excerpt with permission from Remember storiesA collection of essays published by Dag.