BHARATI PAWASKAR
Art is a medium that helps to connect human mind to the divine Supreme Being. An artist, while indulging in his art gets automatically connected to the cosmos and the universe. Dr Guruprasad Kapadi is one such person who lives every moment of his life with joy and a sense of gratitude. A compassionate doctor and a passionate artist, Dr Kapadi expresses his innermost emotions in colours and words - on canvas and on paper. His expressions become a painting when sketched on a canvas and a poem when penned on a paper. In his upcoming solo exhibition show at Kala Academy art gallery, a collection of his latest work will be displayed. ‘Paint-o-Poetry’ is a ‘mix and match’ of paints and poems on canvas which are self-expressive and which also speak in volumes about the artistic talent of this medical man who gives his 100 per cent to whatever he does.
“I have put in my physical energies into my profession for the last 34 years and am really happy to serve the people but what calms and soothes my mind most is music and painting. My soul fills with solace while I do japa (chanting) and dhyan (meditation). I now, have clubbed both my hobbies to create something beautiful called ‘Paint-o-Poetry’ as an artful combination of colours and words on canvas,” announces Dr Kapadi nonchalantly.
A creative individual, an artist, a poet, a social worker and a family man too, Dr Guruprasad Kapadi is a known name in Goa as a dentist with a different bent of mind. Art flows in his DNA. In his formative years, he was inspired by the paintings of his late father, Krishna Govind Kapadi aka Baba Kapadi, a professional artist and a product of J J School of Arts, Mumbai. Art and music was Baba’s passion and the same descended is his son, albeit in a slightly different form. While Baba was good at painting and singing, his son is a combination of painting and poetry - with music as the catalyst.
“I was inclined towards art, especially painting, but Baba was keen on academic education as I was good at studies. Having become a dentist, I tried to divide my time between work, art and social work. It was in my 40s, that I began seriously nurturing my long cherished hobby of painting,” shares Dr Kapadi whose earlier exhibition of paintings ‘Antaryatra’, an inner journey with Sai Baba, too raised funds for a cause. The entire amount collected by the sales of his paintings on Sai Baba was donated to Matruchaya, an orphanage in Ponda.
Dr Kapadi, not limiting to keeping the noble thought to words, puts it in action himself. Dr Kapadi’s pivotal role in setting up Keshav Seva Sadhana’s school for special children at Bicholim is just unforgettable. A collection of Dr Kapadi’s poems released in the form of musical album ‘Bhava Vishwa Sadhakache’ also raised funds for this school.
‘Nirmalya’ is Dr Kapadi’s yet-to-be-inaugurated art gallery in Bicholim where his artwork is displayed for free public viewing. As he turns 60 on January 9, this man of god observes that it’s his time for sublimation and give back to society.
Over 100 paintings that Dr Kapadi created in the past couple of years, ‘Nirmalya’ art gallery will serve as a platform for various kinds of social activities. Also, the entire sales proceeds of his paintings that are walled here will go directly to societal causes. “My profession earns me a living, my paintings will earn for the society while obliging me with utmost joy of creation. I have lived my life to the fullest. Now, the final essence of my life should be an offering to the supreme divine. That’s my ultimate wish,” declares Dr Kapadi, an ideal example of total sublimation and indeed, a rare one, in today’s times of material consumerism.
A solo show of paintings, Paint-o-Poetry, by Dr Guruprasad Kapadi will be displayed on January 5-6 at Kala Academy art gallery, Panaji.
