LET THERE BE LIGHT

Veteran artist Paresh Maity speaks with Bazaar India about his ongoing retrospective, Infinite Light'.

- RADHIKA BHALLA

With the colours splashed on the canvas, the painted ghats of Benaras seem to almost come alive; its sapphire waters inviting the viewer towards spiritual immersion. This venerable city has called upon veteran artist Paresh Maity time and again, since he first visited its shores in 1985...a theme that continues to inspire his work even today.

We are sitting in the sun-soaked studio of Paresh in the capital, before he embarks upon yet another flight to showcase his exhibition titled Infinite Light—the largest, solo, travelling retrospective in contemporary Indian art. The celebrations began last year, with two grand openings for the retrospective in Delhi, followed by Mumbai, and the finale in Goa [curated by Sunaina Anand, Director of Art Alive Gallery, Delhi]. “You don’t have to search for a theme to paint in Benaras; the subject will seek you itself...it will ask you to paint, draw, photograph, or film it,” Paresh tells Bazaar India with his wide smile that is as inviting as his works are.