A recent exhibition in the capital city of India celebrated the grandeur and glory of its heritage. What made this event worth noting was the fact that the images were painted by a seventy-seven-year-old artist. Septuagenarian Uma Lohtia spent hours at sites like the Humayun's tomb, Red Fort and Jama Masjid. The passion and persistence reflects in the meticulousness of her works.
Naturally gifted in the fine arts, the unassuming artist originally from Khurja in the northern state of Uttar Pradesh and now based in Delhi, has been painting for last several years, spurred by the time she spent at an art school in Delhi and the evening classes she attended there.
After completing her graduation from Lady Irwin College, Lohtia began painting for her own joy. Her family members encouraged her to paint, as she continued to explore various mediums like oil on canvas, watercolor, mixed media etc apart from some wonderful wash paintings, a medium that she is keen to revive. She applied her flair for color and design to her own line of apparel and its exquisite embroidery, with an imprint of her unique workmanship that won her a client following worldwide.
For several years, she was at a finishing school, teaching art. Having lived in Delhi for last so many years, she has been inspired by its monuments, mosques, tombs, gardens etc. In a tribute to the rich heritage, she recently created a series of paintings, entitled ‘The Living Legends/ Legions of Delhi’, which celebrates the spirit and ethos of the city during its centenary year.
She has stated: “Each monument in Delhi has its very own story to tell that makes it even more interesting. In a way, my paintings are efforts for a revival of history. And I have painted the monuments that have survived for so many years to draw attention to them. “I picked books on these monuments and studied them from different angles.” For example, she painted an angle of the Humayun's tomb, a side view of Lodi Gardens and Diwan-e-Khas, showing dancers in a live performance.
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