Echoes of Faith & Flight: Rajiv Mistry’s Exhibition at CKP, Bengaluru

This October, get ready to dive into the resounding space of Karnataka Chitrakala Parishath in Bengaluru. This is your chance to witness the astonishing place being filled with the stoic nature of monotone watercolours, the visceral drama of charcoal, and the grand history of Indian military aviation.

Hold Up! This isn’t a mere basic exhibition; this is the first solo exhibition of Gp Capt Rajiv Mistry (Retd.), who transformed from a veteran of the Indian Air Force to an exhibiting artist from his tireless approach, current acute observancy and lifelong interest in all aspects of Indian art and culture across an impressive career. So save the date and book your calendar for this exciting and enriching experience.

Exhibition Details

The Sacred Inspirations: Monotone Masterpieces

Rajiv’s collection is composed of approximately 20 watercolour paintings painted entirely in grey, while this may seem restrictive, it is revelatory. The art pieces reflect the quiet rapport nurtured in the sacred spaces that affected him the most on his travels across India. From the towering gopurams of Tamil temples to the domes of ancient mosques under star-filled skies, Rajiv discovered that colour can often distract from what matters most- the dance of light against stone, the soft shadows across their carved surfaces, and the space itself, with the dignified stillness of a space built for prayer.

In each painting, Rajiv does not depict a place, but a feeling- the feeling of stepping into a sacred courtyard and being shifted in an instant. The use of monotone is expected of the viewer to slow down, to see the nuanced transgressions between light and shadow that create the objects of great beauty. It is exertion much like listening to a conversation in whispers; you have to lean in and attend more deeply. Through his unspectacular work, Rajiv invites us on his sacred walk. Each brushstroke becomes an act of devotion.

Hoysala Heritage in Charcoal

The set includes four charcoal drawings, each inspired by the remarkable stone sculptures of Karnataka’s Hoysala temples at Turuvekere. Rajiv makes a transition from the workflow of watercolour to charcoal, and its marks are emphatic, much like these 800-year-old works of art. The Hoysala artists were storytellers in stone, wrapping narratives about the divine and humanity, and selectively flowing details around the reliefs, articulating every fold of fabric, every gesture, every ornament- as if the stone, too, held a memory of its own. 

Rajiv does not improvise on the original, but instead works to provide an interpretation of the original, collecting the translation of the three-dimensional sculpture into the intimate scene of paper and graphite. When using charcoal, you write with security and resolve; in a conviction made, marks cannot be erased, nor contrasts lessened. But this quality is rightly assured in these subjects, capturing both the conviction of stone and light and the fleeting nature of the light each day at dawn and dusk that offers a life similar to their sculptures.

Aviation Art: A Tribute to Service

A distinctive element of the exhibition is a dedicated section paying homage to the Indian Air Force through aviation art. This collection communicates the essence and memories of Rajiv’s service, as established by the gifted military artist tradition that has been practised for some time now in the Indian Air Force. The heritage of aviation art in the IAF is enriched by enthusiastic pilots and aircrew members who have represented their love for aviation through their depictions. These artistic impressions of operations have decorated the walls of the officers’ mess and their respective offices, serving as visual archives of military history and accomplishments. Rajiv’s aviation paintings are memory diaries transformed to canvas to depict bravery, discipline and companionship, which depict his years of service. Just like the famous military artist honouring our military heritage, Gp Capt Deb Gohain, who captured our former military operations of the IAF during the 1965 and 1971 wars, Rajiv bridges the gap between military service and art. Rajiv’s paintings not only provide artistic merit, but they also depict and leave a legacy of our military heritage for future generations.

Artistic Inspirations Behind The Works

• Spiritual exploration of various temples and mosques throughout India through a monotone watercolour palette.
• In-depth investigation of Hoysala temple sculptures from Turuvekere, Karnataka, that capture expressive qualities whilst continuing a lineage of traditions from antiquity.
• Recollection of personal memories and experiences from a meaningful career in the Indian Air Force, re-imagining the experience of flight as an appreciation for service and sacrifice in military aviation.
• A combination of values of faith, flight, and art, creating a context to situate devoted faith and service to the nation.
• Recognition of the cultural history of India, as an extension of its rich heritage from ancient structures to military passion for a country that has maintained artist-soldier traditions of documenting history through art.

A Space for Growth and Engagement with the Community

This exhibit is about more than artistic accomplishment; it is a space for sharing and growing as part of India’s community of art. The Karnataka Chitrakala Parishath is the perfect venue for this exhibition, given its rich history of promoting art and artistic exchange. Chitra Santhe, the Parishath’s annual event celebrating art with the motto “Art for All”, epitomises the collaborative and democratic experience of art appreciation that Rajiv seeks to engage.

The Artistic Process and Technical Mastery

Rajiv’s process engages the same methodical precision that defined his military career. Each monotone watercolour begins with a period of intense observation and a scaffold for composing it, assuring that the spiritual nature of the sacred parts is properly represented. His process employs layers of wash and detail that will offer depth and atmosphere to transport the viewer into the sacred spaces. While monotone watercolour assists Rajiv in using tones, colours, and moods infinitely, he could focus visually on the light and shadow that architectural beauty can offer.

While Rajiv’s charcoal work requires a whole new skill set. The use of charcoal requires confidence and control of the piece, as corrections can put you behind the eight-ball. Rajiv’s military discipline of precision and detail serves him as he creates deliberate strokes in charcoal. The Hoysala sculptures, with all their ornate details and configurations, present the perspective for Rajiv to leverage all the variable options charcoal can offer.

An Invitation to Engage with Art and Heritage

Gp Capt Rajiv Mistry (Retd.) warmly invites all art lovers, culture enthusiasts, and fellow military veterans to visit this exhibition. He particularly welcomes constructive feedback and contributions to help him grow as an artist and stay connected to his passion for art. 

The exhibition will be more than a collection of paintings. It is an invitation to travel through sacred sites in India, admire the beauty of historical architecture, and celebrate the spirit of service that defines this nation. Through “Echoes of Faith & Flight,” Capt Rajiv Mistry reflects his personal yet cultural exploration of devotion and heritage, and demonstrates the power of art, continuing the proud tradition of artist-soldiers who have, and continue to, document and celebrate both the rich cultural heritage and military heritage of India.

So don’t forget to block your calendar and save the date for experiencing this intersection of military experience and art-making, where sustained observation meets creative inquiry.