For about three decades artist Najmi Sura has been exploring and experimenting miniature painting, giving it a contemporary touch. Throughout her artistic career she painted for her own pleasure there was no motive for conveying any message to the viewers. Her paintings were also not philosophical which would be explaining her viewpoint about a subject. Thus her paintings were just for her own satisfaction as she enjoyed paintings which gave her delight and a feeling of happiness. Painting is her passion. She savour the moments while she was painting and she immersed into her painting as if she is part of it.
A solo exhibition of paintings by Najmi Sura titled 'A Painter between Worlds' was held recently at Momart Art Gallery, Karachi for the delight of art enthusiasts. Although she has been honoured with the Sitara-i-Imtiaz for her contributions to art she never had a solo exhibition before. During these years people saw her works mostly in group shows. The show was not only her very first solo exhibition but also her first exhibition in Pakistan, comprising works from her entire oeuvre. This made her exhibition much more momentous for the artist and art lovers as well.
While going through the show one can felt her dexterity and skills in miniature techniques. The entire exhibition was imbued with traditional palette having the warmth and spirit of the miniature art of the Mughal times. She is a painter with modern sensibilities. As she was much inspired by the miniature paintings of Jain and Rajasthan artists she used that touch with modern themes. And the style has become her signature as she moulds the classical themes into contemporary compositions.
She portrayed confident and vibrant women in her paintings. Showing immense control of the media she depicted stronger women while dancing or riding a horse both women has their own level of strength and dignity. She emphasized on particular details which are basic part of miniature painting. Whether in ink or in colours her paintings have sensual women figures draped in long flowing garments with colourful embroidered borders and heavy jewellery.
The portraits of some distinguish Mughal heroes was also part of the show, they were also draped in long dresses with swords and pearl jewellery like "Qutubuddin Aibak" and "Azam Shah". Most of the paintings have light or dark tone patterned, free brushworks or rough textural effects backgrounds while some has landscapes. The women and men riding horses, elephants and even camels were portrayed - a traditional style of miniature paintings.
She also painted the famous legendary lovers Rupmati and Baz Bahadur riding a horse. And Jodha Bai can also been riding a horse with a man leading the horse depicting her strong and authoritative character. Other paintings had diverse themes from a women talking to a peacock to women dancing and playing with a hawk. Most of the men were having swords or a rose in their hands while others escorting women.
The elegant women were the main subject of the paintings. The women figures were meticulously painted just like old traditional miniatures. The women have bright eyes and full of facial expressions but all the figures of women and men were side poses. Women figures may be dancing, riding, standing or sitting but none of them were frontal paintings. The figures were facing each other or side ways but none facing the viewer.