Abhay K's 'Shunyata': A Visual Symphony of Emptiness at Alliance Francaise

Renowned poet and diplomat Abhay K has launched his latest exhibition 'Shunyata' at Alliance Francaise, New Delhi, exploring Buddhist philosophy. This visual treat runs until September 10 and delves into the themes of emptiness and self-discovery, earning high praise from art enthusiasts and dignitaries.

Poet and diplomat Abhay K unveiled his latest artistic endeavor, 'Shunyata,' at Alliance Francaise in New Delhi. The exhibition, which runs until September 10, delves deep into the Buddhist philosophy of Shunyata, or Emptiness. This philosophical concept suggests that understanding emptiness is essential for liberation from suffering and the cycle of birth and death, known as samsara.

In an interview with ANI, Abhay K shared, "When I stared at the empty canvas, I had no clue what I was going to paint. I started by drawing a circle and filling it with paint, and it began to take form. Each new shape that emerged was mesmerizing. I began to enjoy the process." He elaborated, "These paintings are visualizations of emptiness. While forms become visible when examined closely, they disappear as one moves away, leaving behind a sense of emptiness. This aligns with the essence of the Heart Sutra: 'Form is emptiness, emptiness is form.' The forms depicted—whether gods, goddesses, mortals, immortals, plants, or animals—are all transient. They appear and then vanish, leaving emptiness as the true constant."

Abhay K's translations of Kalidasa's Meghaduta and Ritusamhara from Sanskrit earned him the KLF Poetry Book of the Year Award for 2020–21. Likewise, his translation of the Magahi novel Fool Bahadur has been published by Penguin Random House, India. Diplomat KL Ganju praised Abhay K's work, stating, "He wears many hats—writing books, editing, and more. I call him a philosopher. When you consider the concept of emptiness, you might think of zero, but his paintings offer a deeper experience. What seems like emptiness at first glance reveals profound meaning upon closer inspection."

Visitor Gayatri Sharma, a Bharatanatyam dancer, commented, "In dance, we seek stillness, which can speak volumes and lead to self-realization. This resonates with 'Shunyata,' capturing that same sense of stillness and self-discovery. Observing these paintings allows one to uncover something new and discover oneself, which is what this exhibition represents to me." Abhay K's artistic journey began in 2005 in Moscow, Russia. Since then, he has exhibited his work in Paris, St Petersburg, New Delhi, Brasilia, and Antananarivo, with pieces held in private collections worldwide.

A multifaceted individual, Abhay K is not only a poet but also an editor, translator, artist, and diplomat. His poetry collections have been featured in over a hundred literary magazines globally, and his Earth Anthem has been translated into more than 160 languages. He received the SAARC Literary Award in 2013 and recorded his poems at the Library of Congress, Washington DC in 2018.

(With inputs from agencies.)