Renowned artist Paramesh Paul, born in 1970 in a rural . His artistic sensibilities blossomed as he sculpted clay gods. Today, he draws inspiration from Hindu iconography—the Nandi bull, Lord Shiva, the Ganges and Banaras’s sacred Temples. His vibrant paintings bridge materiality and metaphysics, weaving mythology into every brushstroke.
The Nandi, etched with cultural and historical significance, anchors Paramesh’s consciousness. His invocation of this sacred symbol becomes a spiritual pilgrimage—a lens through which he glimpses religion, culture, history and the transcendental present.
“In this project, he is very successful. His works are, no doubt, subjective and grow out of his very personal love for life. For this purpose, Paramesh often takes up the religious centers of the country as his subject. He is greatly in love with Varanasi. Haridwar, Rishikesh and other religious places also appear frequently in his paintings. He also has a predilection for looking at life around the river. Water appears as a dominant theme in his painting, especially the river Ganges,” says the curator of the show.
Artist Paramesh Paul, shaped by rural beginnings and later immersed in the complexities of big cities, delves into life’s intricacies. His art dissects human connections with nature, religious fervor and the transcendence of ordinary existence. Yet, amidst this exploration, one constant endures: his commitment to imagery that resonates universally, touching hearts on a profound aesthetic consciousness.
1.I was born in Shree Mayapur, Nabadwip Dham, where my childhood was immersed in the spiritual beauty of temples, the Ganga River, and the artistic sculptures of gods and goddesses crafted by local artists. This profound environment left an indelible mark on me, inspiring the themes and ideas in my paintings, which are drawn not only from my birthplace but also from sacred places like Benaras.
2.Choosing this career wasn't just a decision; it was following the call of my heart. Whether easy or hard, painting is what I love, and I’m committed to pursuing it for the rest of my life.
3.I've been influenced by many artists whom I deeply admire, such as Vikas Bhattacharjee, Ganesh Pyne, M.F. Husain, Paresh Maity, Michelangelo, and Picasso.
4.My first artwork, titled Holy Place, depicted the Nabadwip Ghat. When it sold, I felt immense joy and bought my first bicycle with the earnings. That bicycle became my companion for outdoor painting trips, marking a significant moment in my journey as an artist.
5.I started with oil on canvas but now primarily work with acrylic. I use a range of techniques, including the palette knife, brush, and other tools like rollers, to bring depth and texture to my work.
7.In my art, I often express life as a flowing stream, like the Ganga River. Many holy cities and temples have risen along the banks of such rivers, and my paintings reflect the essence of these places. They convey stories—some of spiritual power within temples and others representing my own struggles, like the steps of the Benaras Ghats, which symbolize the challenges I’ve faced.
8.All of my works hold a special place in my heart, and I love each one equally.
Paramesh Paul’s artistic journey began from Shree Mayapur, Nabadwip Dham to Rishikesh, Haridwar, Vrindavan, Mathura, Panchavati and Benaras, where he immersed himself in the sacred art of deity creation, and later refined his vision through experiences in vibrant cities across the country. This journey has spanned over 30 years.