Life lessons from traditional games inspired this art show

CHENNAI: Inspired by Vinita Sidhartha’s book titled Just Play: Life’s lessons from Traditional Indian Games, artist Shalini Biswajit is presenting an art exhibition called Games People Play. In this exhibition, seven artists will present their works inspired by traditional games mentioned in the book. Talking about the collaboration, Shalini says, “Vinita’s book inspired me in many ways. The book not just talks about games but also touches upon certain life lessons one could learn by playing the games. Every game represents or captures an aspect of life; which is really fascinating. I thought it will be interesting if we can transform all this into artwork. I gifted the book to a few artists and each of them has explored various aspects of games and interpreted it in their own way.”

Artists who are part of the group show are Jacob Jebaraj, Kavitha Prasad, Lakshmi Srinath, Manisha Raju, Shailesh BO, Shalini Biswajit and Thejomaye Menon. Just Play: Life Lessons from Traditional Indian Games is a book that takes you back in time through the fun and laughter of games. Every game - from Panch Kone to Solah Seedi to Aadu Puli Aatam - represents or captures an aspect of life and the world.

Shalini vouches that each work is different from the other. “I have done two works titled Play to Win and Samsara. In the game of life interpreted as Samsara, we open our board with the choices that we make guided by our free will. The dice that we roll much akin to our own karma determine the highs and lows that we face. In order to win, we must stay focused on our end goal which is clarity of our true nature. The number six being the highest that one can roll as symbolised by the six dots on the checkerboard offers a possibility to attain inner clarity which is consciousness. The namams of Vishnu and Shiva represent that ultimate goal and in fair play by rolling the right number one can ultimately win. We set out to play our game of life by the choices that are offered by the roll of the dice. Be it 1, 2, 3, 4, or 6 as symbolised by the corresponding dots on the canvas, the possibilities that unfold are many and we alone are responsible for our course of action,” shares Shalini.

Vinita joins the conversation and tells us that her book is not just about games, but it is also about how games relate to our everyday life. “We have a rich culture of games, but many of them are forgotten and run the risk of disappearing. They are fun, elemental and easy to play by people of all backgrounds, ages and cultures and qualifications. What is even more important is that each of them has lessons for us that are as important today as they were when they were created,” says Vinita.

BO Shailesh’s work titled Aaadu Puli Aatam is acrylic on leather. A strategic game of strength over weakness, Aaadu Puli Aatam is a classic example of power over the powerless — the tiger and the goat/lamb. The powerless goat uses its intelligence to win. In his work, the asymmetrical lines speak of this imbalance in life/money/power and of survival. “It swings both ways. The multiple limbs four in number is the flailing legs of an attacked creature broken emotionally and physically. The half-human tiger form denotes power and defeat, much as the board game is. It could swing any way.”

The exhibition is on view from September 23 onwards at Forum Art Gallery, Adyar.