Indo-Armenian Friendship NGO hosts Ambassador designate of India to Armenia and Georgia in New Delhi, India

IAF Press Release
December 16,2012
New Delhi



The Speakers of the event



On 15^thDecember 2012, Indo-Armenian Friendship NGO (IAF) organised an interactive session between the newly appointed Ambassador of India to Armenia and Georgia Dr. T. Suresh Babu and members of IAF in India’s premier Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi.  Dignitaries present in the occasion included Ambassador Achal Kumar Malhotra, outgoing Ambassador of India to Armenia and Georgia, Mrs. Lusik Tovmasyan, Consul of Armenian Embassy in India, and Prof. Purushottam Agrawal, Member of Union Public Service Commission (UPSC).

People who attended the event included Armenian students studying in India, Indian students who had graduated from YSMU, businessmen and people from different walks of life interested to know about Indo-Armenian ties. Most of them were members of Indo-Armenian Friendship NGO.



IAF Co-founder & President
Mr. Rananjay Anand

Mr. Rananjay Anand, Co-Founder and President of Indo-Armenian Friendship NGO welcomed everyone and thanked them for taking some time out of their busy schedules to attend the event. At the onset, he underlined the importance of such initiatives and need of such organizations like IAF to execute them. He updated the audience with IAF's past activities and future plannings!




Ambassador Achal K Malhotra


Ambassador Achal K Malhotra, who ended his tenure as the Ambassador of India to Armenia and Georgia in April this year congratulated IAF on organising the interactive session. He said, “IAF has done a great job so far, and I am sure that it will continue to do many more activities that will once again revive the old tradition of Indo-Armenian cultural and friendly interaction”.  Ambassador Malhotra also wished his successor, Dr. T.S. Babu a very fruitful and productive tenure in Yerevan.


 



Prof. Purushottam Agrawal


Prof. Purushottam Agrawal, who recently launched his new Book titled “Hindi Sarai: Astrakhan via Yerevan” spoke about his experiences in Yerevan which was his penultimate destination before his journey to Astrakhan in Russia. His journey inspired him to author this book, which he mentions not only as “Travelogue” but a well researched “Thoughtlogue”. He especially mentioned the great contribution of Armenian patriotic poet Yeghishe Charents in the cultural historicity of Armenia. “Armenian people are quite efficient, quite energetic and very helpful”, said the professor, recalling his days in Armenia. “I was aware of the importance of Armenia in world history, and also of the long standing cultural relations between Armenia and India”, continued the author, and went ahead to speak about the immense contribution the Armenians had on Indian culture and society.




Ambassador Designate of India to Armenia & Georgia
Dr. T. Suresh Babu


Ambassador Designate Dr. T. Suresh Babu works in the Eurasian division of Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India and is in charge of CIS countries, among which Armenia is one as well. While speaking of his next assignment as Ambassador of Armenia & Georgia, he recalled how he got to know about Armenia for the first time when his father took him to Armenian Bazar in Chennai. He underlined the great mutual goodwill existing between both countries and was happy to state that there is already a great existing foundation to take his work further very easily. He thanked IAF for organizing the event, which is his first official interaction with relevant group of people after being appointed as the Ambassador of India to Armenia & Georgia. “I will try my best to carry ahead the good work which Ambassador Malhotra had put up during his tenure in Armenia”, assured the newly appointed Ambassador, adding, “I will not let you down Amb Malhotra”, referring to his new responsibility in Armenia. 





Consul of Embassy of Armenia to India
Ms. Lusik Tovmasyan



Mrs. Lusik Tovmasyan, Consul of Armenian Embassy in India addressed the audience and spoke about the centuries old Indo-Armenian ties. She especially underlined the striking similarities between people of both countries. “As most Armenians in India will agree, it is very difficult for one to part away from India after staying in this country for some time”, she said, speaking about the love Armenians have for India. She also spoke about the long-standing Indo-Armenians ties, making a special mention about Mariam Zamani Begum, the Christian Armenian wife of Mughal Emperor Akbar. The Armenian Consul further wished the new Ambassador to Armenia immense success in his new task in Yerevan.

 



Warli Folk Art Painter
Ms. Babita Biswas





Renowned Warli Folk artist Mrs. Babita Biswas who was also present at the event was sharing her own memories about Armenia which she experienced during her visit to this beautiful country for her Painting Exhibition jointly organized by the Ministry of Culture of Armenia and ICCR.

Audience were invited to ask questions regarding Indo-Armenian relationship or any relevant topics. Questions were asked to both the Ambassadors, which they were more than happy to answer, making it a completely interactive event.




Mane Mkrtchyan, who is studying Hindi in India
 had some questions for the speakers

The session ended with High Tea, where the event participants got a chance to meet each other and make new friends, further tightening the Indo-Armenian Connection.

Indo-Armenian Friendship NGO wished Dr. T.Suresh Babu immense success during his tenure as Ambassador of India in Armenia.


Picture Perfect



 

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The Art and its Aesthetic Journey

By Sona Yeritsyan

Soon after finishing the opening ceremony of her wonderful exhibition, Contemporary Warli folk artist Ms. Babita Biswas wanted to see Yerevan, as well as get informed about Armenian culture. Members of India - Armenia Friendship helped her in this, among those I was also actively participated. She was very active and eager to see every corner of Yerevan. 

We started our trip from the Republic Square, where famous painter paid a big attention at the Art of Armenian architecture. She was mostly impressed by hearing that an ancient city was discovered underground, in the centre of the Republic Square. Continuing through our way, we walked along the Northern Avenue, and reached the musical monument of Yerevan - Opera House. Here Ms. Biswas saw monuments of two big representatives of Armenian Culture: Hovhannes Tumanyan and Aleksandr Spendiaryan. Our third station was Painting's show near famous painter Martiros Saryan's statue in the park after M.Saryan. Our steps slowed down. We were stopping near every painting and she was explaining the meaning of each, in which style it was painted etc. The most impressive thing was that the Indian painter met with Armenian painters and they had a little talk about paintings of both side.
In Cascade she liked sculptures sample of modern art and admired the beautiful scene in top of it. There was Yerevan with Its new and old buildings, and behind of it historical mountain Ararat. The painter was bowled over by its beauty. She saw Matenadaran and was informed a little about invention of Armenian Alphabet. Most of all Ms Babita was eager to see our churches. As you know we have many of them, but we visited the church of St. Gregory the Illuminator. Here we explained her about St.Gregory, Tiridates III and how Armenia became Christian country. In church we witnessed an Armenian wedding ceremony. 

Though we were already tired, but it didn't stop us to continue our trip. Continuing our way we went to Vernisage. Here Ms. Babita liked souvenirs sample of Armenian Culture, wooden handicrafts and Armenian musical instruments. During this whole tour Ms. Babita was trying to keep every moment, everything and everyone, even taxi drivers and shop assistants in her memory. Returning back to hotel our Ms Babita tried to make us feel ourselves a little part of Indian culture and drew Bindis on our foreheads: not simple ones but in Warli style.

At the end of the day she was full of happiness but a bit regretted too, because she had only one day for visiting Yerevan's beautiful sights. Nevertheless it was big honor for us to spend a whole day with Ms. Biswas and show her Yerevan, though the time was not enough to make it complete.

During her five day visit to Armenia, Contemporary Warli folk artist Ms. Babita Biswas contributed to the deepening of Indian - Armenian cultural ties. On the fourth day of her visit, embassy of India in Armenia organized special meeting - presentation for students, among them I was too present. It took place at Yerevan State Medical University. Ms. Babita specially organized a presentation for students. The artist shared some of her professional secrets of Warli art with both Indian and Armenian students. The most interesting fact was that, the Armenian students showed no less activity than Indian ones. 

Ms. Biswas explained in details the significance and importance of Warli art to all those present, as well as gave us information about its origin and further development. Warli art was first discovered in the early seventies. Maharashtrian women were mainly engaged in the creation of these paintings which did not depict mythological characters or images of deities, but depicted social life. There were many pictures shown which were telling us about different manifestations of Warli art. Then Ms. Babita showed us how we could draw animals, plants and humans (men) in Warli style. It was not a big issue for us to perceive that. Everyone was impressed. Though it was simple, it was meaningful and substantial in the same time.

Everything was explained and showed in details, so there was no question left to be asked. Some interesting questions were voiced, among them this one was the most impressive: whether Ms. Biswas could go for sightseeing in Yerevan during this short time, and if it's possible to draw those beautiful sights in Warli style. Famous painter liked this question very much and answered with regret. She told that unfortunately she could stay in Yerevan only for few days, and must leave the next day of presentation. She would be glad to stay a little bit longer, but the lack of time couldn’t stop her to fall in love with Yerevan, and assured us that she would draw Yerevan in Warli style. She was planning to return to Yerevan with her family in near future.

This answer pleased everyone present there, and was the final note for special organized presentation.

A Saga of Immortal Love

Triangle, circle, point and line, trees and animals, people, sun and moon.
Simple and colorful images, which are reported immortal saga of love and glorify Krishna.

Within the framework of the agreement on expansion of the cultural ties signed between Armenia and India in 2010 November, Yerevan is hosting the exhibition of paintings of Indian contemporary artist Babita Biswas.  The inauguration of the exhibition took place in the National Gallery of Armenia on February 10. The exhibition is organized by The Ministry of Culture of Republic of Armenia, the Embassy of India in Armenia and ICCR (Indian Council for Culture Relation). The opening ceremony was attended  by Foreign Deputy Minister Mr Sergey Manasaryan, Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Culture Mr Arthur Poghosyan, the ambasador of Inida to Armenia, H.E. Mr Achal K. Malhotra, the director of the Gallery Mr Pharavon Mirzoyan.

The opening ceremony

In the opening speech the head of the Armenian National Gallery Paravon Mirzoyan mentioned that the Painter has filled the Canvas with Indian contemporary art.

“By the agreement signed between the Foreign Affairs Ministries of the two countries the cultural dialogue will not be limited by exhibitions of paintings, almost all the branches of art are involved in the programs,” the ambassador pointed out. These events are aimed at introducing the Armenians and the Indians the rich heritage of both countries,” A.K. Malhotra noticed.

‘If you watch the paintings attentively you will understand that they depict the outlook of the Indian people about the world, love and friendship,” the Indian painter said.

Mrs Biswas specializes in Warli style painting, depicting famous image of the Indian mythology – Krishna. Warlis or Varlis are Indian indigenous people, who live mostly in Dahanu and Talasari talukas of the northern Thane district, parts of Nashik and Dhule districts of Maharashtra, Valsad District of Gujarat, and the union territories of Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu. The ritual paintings of the Warli are usually done inside the huts. The walls are made of a mixture of branches, earth and cow dung, making a red ocher background for the wall paintings.

The Warli use only white for their paintings. Their white color is a mixture of rice paste and water with gum as a adhesive. They use a bamboo stick chewed at the end to make it as simple as a paintbrush. The wall paintings are done only for special occasions such as weddings or harvests. The lack of regular artistic activity explains the very crude style of their paintings, which were the preserve of the womenfolk until the late 1970s. But in the 1970s this ritual art took a radical turn, when Jivya Soma Mashe started to paint, not for any special ritual, but because of his artistic pursuits.

        Well, all these news you could read in almost all the news portals in Armenian network. Now I would like to write about a special day. The day when IAF members visited the exhibition and had the pleasure not only to enjoy the Indian exhibition but also to meet Mrs Biswas and watch the paintings along with her descriptions. A cheerful and lovely lady who was always ready to answer every question of the impressed audience. This exhibition is unique both for being the first ever to be opened in Armenia  representing Indian art and also the first one organized abroad for the artist.

As Mrs Biswas introduced the exhibition called "A Saga of Immortal Love", includes 22 paintings of Warli art. Most of them are  picturing love and life of the two gods of Hinduism: Krishna and Radha. Starting with his childhood Krishna is painted with his flute. When he plays his mesmerizing flute, the whole world is filled with love and compassion. Some paintings are of Buddha. Here you can see a painting with Krshna symbolizing love and Buddha  symbolizing peace. 

Peace and Love

Unlike the traditional way of Warli art Mrs Biswas's paintings are full of colors. "In that stage of my life I desperately was eager for light and purity, and I found it in Warli. The white was calling me, attracting me, an I felt it needed me as I needed it- purity and truthfulness. But I wanted to enrich it with lots of colors. And I started studying their culture from a folk artist". Since then she had several solo and group shows and was appreciated for her art with several awards.

Radha resembles to Krishna's shadow

The Rasa-Lila of Krishna (Love game)

  While discussing Warli and Indian culture with Mrs Biswas IAF members also had the opportunity to see who is the artist  Babita Biswas as a woman and mother.  Mrs Biswas has inherited her artist skills from her Grandparents. "My Grandfather was ա sculptօr and my Grandmother was painting too", she said. As a talented artist she is good at dancing and singing as well. She has got 2 children: a daughter and a son and  grows up her children in mixed Indian and western atmosphere.  She doesn't like getting presents but likes making surprises for her dear ones. She cooks very well, especially steamed fish and likes having evening gatherings for her friends in her house.

Lusine: I can hear melody in this painting: very gentle and live.
And I feel great love & tranquility in this blue atmosphere

Mrs Biswas also told us about her future planning. Back home she will prepare for another exhibition at The Nehru Center in London in June 2011.

Mrs Biswas shared her impressions about Armenia too. "Frankly said I had never heard about Armenia before I was told I would have an exhibition of my paintings here. I started surfing the net in search of the mysterious country called Armenia. Then only I fell in love with it. And now when I am here I think I should have planned my trip to be longer". Mrs Biswas ensured us that she will come back with her children to travel all over Armenia.

Next day 3 of IAF members spent the whole day with Mrs Biswas showing her Yerevan....