Gallery Silver Scpaes
Old Temples Near River
Old Temples Near River
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Artist: Manu Parekh
Medium: Acrylic on Canvas
Size: 22 × 32 inches ( 55.88 x 81.28 cm )
Year: June 2004
This work, Old Temples Near River by Manu Parekh, captures a mesmerizing view of temple structures perched beside a flowing river, evoking a sense of timelessness and spiritual resonance. True to Parekh’s enduring fascination with Varanasi and other sacred Indian landscapes, the painting reflects his deep engagement with the rituals, architecture, and cultural life of India’s riverine cities.
The composition is animated with bold, expressive brushstrokes that imbue the ancient temples with a theatrical energy, while the juxtaposition of vibrant and muted tones evokes both serenity and intensity. The structures, partially abstracted, seem to emerge organically from the landscape, echoing Parekh’s signature style of blending realism with expressionist sensibilities. The river, flowing calmly in the foreground, anchors the composition, suggesting the continuity of life and devotion that has persisted alongside these edifices for centuries.
Parekh’s fascination with architecture and ritual comes through in the intricate detailing and rhythmic forms, which hint at the spiritual life pulsating within these sacred spaces. The angular lines and layered textures create a dynamic visual rhythm, echoing the ebb and flow of ceremonial activity and the quiet solemnity of these age-old structures. The interplay of shadow and light, of solidity and fluidity, reinforces the painter’s meditative approach to his subjects.
Known for his Benaras series, Parekh often explores the city’s unique synthesis of life, death, and devotion. In this work, the “old temples” are not merely historical relics but vessels of cultural memory, their forms conveying the collective spiritual consciousness of generations. Through abstraction and expressive color, Parekh transforms the scene into an evocative meditation on history, continuity, and the human experience of sacred spaces.
With a career spanning more than six decades, Manu Parekh continues to channel the emotional and spiritual undercurrents of Indian life. Old Temples Near River exemplifies his ability to merge formal innovation with cultural depth, offering viewers a contemplative journey through space, time, and devotion. This painting is a testament to his enduring engagement with India’s visual and metaphysical landscapes, inviting reflection, awe, and connection.
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Art has always, naturally, reflected the development and exploration of different thoughts and perceptions, and our current postmodern era is no different. It is interesting to see how art has evolved visually, yet the traditional methods of composing art remain a valid means of expression.
All it takes for an artist to rise above normalcy, is inspiration, which fuels his passion to paint beautiful creations throughout his life.
The valuable expression of art is always there with us, but now this expression is yet to take an interesting diversion with our art gallery, Gallery Silver Scapes, located in Hauz Khas Enclave. Art is no longer considered just decorative but has evolved and come forth as a major form of investment yielding high rates of returns for its buyers, making it an expression commonly used.
Mrs Mayor was walked into the art world by the legendary modernist Bimal Das Gupta, one of whose biggest collections remains with Gallery Silver Scapes. In the 1980s, as head and first curator of the Habiart Gallery founded by Mrs Rekha Modi — a childhood friend — Mrs Mayor worked closely with and curated shows for renowned artists such as A Ramachandran, GR Santosh, Rameshwar Broota, Sakti Burman, MK Bardhan, Dhiraj Chaudhury, M Sivanesan, and Arup Das among others.
Besides modern masters, she also worked with young contemporaries such as Sudip Roy, Paresh Maity, Subroto Kundu, Vinod Sharma, and many more. Artworks commissioned by her are now part of prestigious collections, such as those of the India Habitat Centre, Ranbaxy, Pepsi, Hotel Lalit, Bank of America, and many more private and public collections.