ART FACTS: Colours of rhythm

The surrealistic world of Dr Syed Ali Wasif reflected his mentor the legendary artist Sadequain. The guidance and influence of his teacher make him fell deeply in love with the medium. He got inspired by variety of things and situations and being a psychiatrist he got a lot of inspiration from conversation, emotions and expressions. And thus the source of inspiration varies. But his paintings depicted every emotional expression.
Meditation dance and music has been practiced since ancient times in numerous spiritual traditions and beliefs. And Dr Syed Ali Wasif's current works in a solo show titled "Music and Muse" at Full Circle Gallery, Karachi explored this world of music and dance where his muse meditate while dancing on the rhythm of music.
Using his fantasies he imagined his muse in an unrestrained and extravagant environment, here she can live as she wanted to, it may be playful, entertaining or it can be distracting and frightening.
While explaining his work he said, "Meditation is a therapeutic practice where an individual focuses his/her minds to achieve a mentally clear and emotionally calm state. It helps to reduce stress, anxiety, depression, and pain. It also changes and heals the broken soul and spirit of love."
The current body of work revolved around the classical 'Kathak' dance. As this dance historically used to communicate stories from the great epics and ancient mythology through dance, songs and music, Dr Wasif also used it to recount his narratives.
Each painting has narrated a complete story in a unique encrypted manner. He has chosen old popular songs as a subject and depicted women in various dance movements and dancing postures according to the song.
He has a powerful sense of anatomy and he also beautifully distorted the figures. The compositions of his paintings in a curve showed his command. Having brilliant outline his work was unique in every sense of technique and approach. He has a style of his own as he perceived various subjects in a particular way.
The women in this series of paintings have closed big eyes as they seemed to be in passion for music and they dance on the rhythm without knowing what was happening around them. They were less concerned about their surrounding and much concerned about the dance and the music.
These were those moments that the women wanted to be themselves and dance for themselves and enjoy themselves thus they rejoice the dance and music. This meditative dance and music filled colours in their lives and became a source of joy and happiness. Their colourful dresses and smile on their faces was indicative of their soul and spirit becoming free from agony and hatred and they were experiencing real tranquility and love.
He showed the power of music and dance by portraying rhythmic movements of these women. The women were simply taking delight in the movements while expressing an idea or emotion according to the song lines thus they communicate through dance language to the world.
The title of the paintings clearly explained the theme of the paintings such as, "Mari Humjolyan", "Raat Abhi Baki Hai", "Murli Baja Ke Mohna Kyn Kar Lia Kinara", "Chapp Tilak Subb Cheen Laa", "Kantaa Chubh Gaya Rayy Moraa Paoon Maa", "Chamba Kitney Dour", "Mohay Rang Do Laal", "Garaj Garaj Ghir Aaye Badal", and "Naina Day Teer".
He basically talked about the struggle of individuals to survive and make progress in the competitive environment of modern life; seen as a dehumanizing and ultimately futile activity he also took refuge in meditation music and dance so he can battle with the feelings of unhappiness and low spirits due to depression that followed him for three years.
The vivid imagery and emotional impact of his work can be felt while viewing his paintings as it unfolded a new perspective of the subject. His high colour sense and command on using colours was evident from the colourful contrasts of his paintings.
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