Theme of Exhibition

India represents a uniquely diverse subculture that is built by its people, its history, its religion; and the land itself. Yet preceding all its history is the strongest factor that represents the basis for its culture- its wild nascence.

FERA- the exhibition brings to you, various dimensions of this very essence, with “Symmetry” portrayed in the works of Prashanthi Nerallapalli. With origin of the Earth, it was symmetry in the elements that brought about life; it was symmetry in elements that created the land and the water; it was also symmetry in its abstract form that created religion; and it is this symmetry in culture that India still strongly presents its ancient tradition of old; for even today, its people and wildlife are intertwined within this very symmetry.

Being created by symmetry and having supported life on it, is “The Land.” The land that supports its wildlife is displayed in classical landscape artwork by Abhijna Anand. It is a manifestation, on canvas, of the glory of the Himalayas, the pride of the mighty rivers, the blissful solitude of the grasslands and the peace of the evergreen forests.

With this came “Life,” represented in the artwork and photography displays of Arjun Srivathsa, Ramnath Chandrashekar and Phillip Ross. Life, in India is a tradition heavily represented by the wild denizens of the forests. It is ‘the tiger,’ upon whom goddess Durga ascends; ‘the elephant’ representing the union of man with god; ‘the serpent’ associated with Shiva- the destroyer. The Essence of FERA brings many more such displays that portray the wild heritage of India.

However, within such wild and cultural traditions, we see forewarnings in the “The Reality,” of today. With issues ranging from water conservation to rural life, that gradually modernizes, to create a major conflict between man and the wild, FERA portrays the reality through photography displays by Vivek Vellanki. Eyes are drawn to threats faced by our culture; the land; the people and the wildlife.

With its various sub-themes, FERA is only the start of an immense chain of activities. It hopes to spread the message of the ecological world through artworks and photographs. Beyond this event of course is the core purpose of the effort- Conservation.