Sardhubaatu Exhibition by Ravi Chunchula Opens at Bikaner House in New Delhi
ChampaTree Art Gallery inaugurated Sardhubaatu: Put Together, Somehow, a solo exhibition by artist Ravi Chunchula, on Friday at the Main Hall of Bikaner House in New Delhi. Curated and presented by Archana Sapra and Pooja Bahri, the exhibition showcases a new collection of works that delve into the quiet and often unnoticed ways individuals are gradually molded by their surroundings, daily routines, and social structures.
The Meaning and Essence of Sardhubaatu
The term Sardhubaatu, derived from Telugu, loosely translates to "put together" or "arranged." In Chunchula's artistic practice, however, this phrase resists straightforward interpretation. His figures appear composed yet tentative, calm yet inwardly charged, suggesting states of being that are continuously negotiated rather than fixed.
Speaking about the exhibition, Ravi Chunchula explained, "Sardhubaatu is about the quiet process of becoming. It reflects how we are constantly shaped by what we see, where we stand, and who we are surrounded by. These works are less about telling a story and more about holding a moment where things feel temporarily aligned, even if imperfect."
Artistic Techniques and Visual Language
The artworks are primarily rendered on rice paper, allowing pigments to settle organically into the surface, staining and breathing over time. This fragile materiality is central to the exhibition's visual language, echoing how experiences accumulate gradually and leave subtle traces on identity and perception.
A restrained palette of greys and earthen hues creates an atmosphere of stillness, punctuated by gentle accents of ochre, red, green, and blue. These colors register internal shifts rather than overt drama, enhancing the contemplative nature of the pieces.
Curators' Insights and Exhibition Themes
Commenting on the exhibition, Archana Sapra and Pooja Bahri, gallerists at ChampaTree Art Gallery, shared, "Ravi's work speaks through restraint. There is a deep attentiveness in the way his figures inhabit space. They appear quiet, grounded, and profoundly human. With Sardhubaatu, we were drawn to how subtly the works reflect contemporary existence without spectacle or excess, allowing viewers the space to pause and reflect."
Rather than depicting specific individuals, Chunchula's figures evoke a shared psychological condition. They occupy everyday spaces, suspended between habit and awareness, solitude and collective presence. Narrative is deliberately withheld, encouraging viewers to engage with the works through observation and introspection rather than explanation.
Opening Event and Continued Exhibition
The opening evening featured a live theatre performance titled Where Is My Mind?, conceived by Rohit Chauhan and his ensemble. Presented as a time-bound experiential intervention within the gallery space, the performance explored mental and social constructs such as belief, conformity, influence, and freedom through physical movement and visual symbolism.
Following the opening, the exhibition continues as a painting-led presentation, inviting sustained engagement with Chunchula's works in an environment of silence and contemplation. This extended display allows art enthusiasts to immerse themselves in the subtle narratives and reflective qualities of the collection.
