Hey there, young art explorers! Get ready for a an inspiring tale of creativity and mystery! We now embark on a journey through the fascinating world of Shanti Dave! He is India’s first calligraphic abstractionist!

In this story, we’ll learn about his incredible art, his highs and lows. Plus, how his work finally gets the attention it deserves. So let’s dive right in and discover the magic of Shanti Dave’s artistic universe!

Long ago, in a time when India was newly independent, there was an artist named Shanti Dave. He was a very special person, known for his unique style of art called “calligraphic abstraction.”

Shanti Dave was one of the early Modern abstractionists in India. He learned his craft under the guidance of a great teacher named N.S. Bendre at the M.S. Baroda School of Fine Arts.

Shanti Dave’s Odyssey

• Shanti Dave’s art journey started with a big honor – he was invited to create beautiful murals at the Rashtrapati Bhavan in Delhi. Wow, that’s impressive! From there, his fame soared, and he won top prizes for three years in a row at the Lalit Kala Akademi.
• He even traveled around the world, representing India in international art events. His artwork adorned the walls of Air India offices in different countries, including Rome, Sydney, Bombay, London, and New York. Imagine his delight when The New York Times featured a picture of his work and called it “Little Gujarat!”  He said it was the happiest moment of his life!
• But as time passed, Shanti Dave’s name somehow faded away from the art scene. It seemed like people forgot about his wonderful creations, and he became less known compared to other famous artists. How could this happen to a superstar of Indian modern art? Well, the art world can sometimes be tricky and focus on different styles at different times.
• It seems that in the past, people preferred art that told stories or showed recognizable things. But now, they appreciate and love modern art that uses shapes, colors, and forms to express emotions and ideas.
• Shanti Dave’s unique calligraphic abstraction style was not getting as much attention as it deserved, but times are changing, and people are starting to appreciate and value this kind of art once again.
• Now, thanks to the Delhi Art Gallery (DAG), Shanti Dave’s art is getting the spotlight it deserves! DAG has organized a special exhibition called “Neither Earth, Nor Sky,” showcasing over 80 of his amazing works.
• From his early experiments with figurative art to his dive into the world of abstraction, his art is a masterpiece of creativity. Shanti Dave’s fascination with the Devanagari script, the letters of the Indian alphabet, led him to create beautiful paintings and artworks exploring the language’s essence.
• Isn’t it fascinating how one artist’s journey can have ups and downs, just like a roller coaster ride? Shanti Dave’s story reminds us that art is a treasure, and sometimes even the greatest treasures need a little bit of rediscovery.
• So, next time you see a beautiful painting or artwork, remember the magical tale of Shanti Dave, India’s calligraphic abstractionist, and appreciate the wonder and mystery behind every stroke of the artist’s brush!

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