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| Maruti Shelke |
When an artist
distinguishes himself through both subject matter and technique, he attains a
unique place in contemporary art—and Maruti Shelke (Full name Maruti Baburao
Shelke) is one such artist. Over nearly three decades, he has explored many
creative approaches, but in recent years he has developed a technique that sets
him apart. His work is figurative and rooted in concrete representation,
focusing on the human form and human life. Social themes—particularly his
innovative expressions of gender equality—are central to his practice.
The most
striking and unusual feature of his technique is that he never uses a brush to
create human figures or any other forms. Instead, his entire painting process
relies on a roller. Working in multiple layers of oil paint on canvas, he
begins with dark tones and gradually applies lighter ones. The texture produced
through this roller-based method gives his work its distinct character. To form
figures, he uses engraving, enabling him to achieve crisp, sharp lines. He is
the only figurative painter known to work entirely without a brush, and no
other comparable example of this technique exists.
Maruti
Shelke's art is a complete and thoughtful combination of beauty, ideas, and
social responsibility. His paintings are not only visually appealing but also
reflect his understanding of human life and social problems. His thoughts about
human relationships and society are clearly visible in his paintings. Born in
1970, Maruti Shelke has progressed step by step in his artistic journey. He
received his early education at the Raheja School of Art. He then continued his
studies at the renowned J.J. School of Art in Mumbai and pursued higher
education at Nagpur University. His artistic talent and dedication have earned
him a special place in Indian art. He has received significant honors for his
art, including the Maharashtra State Art Award in 1993, the Art Society of
India Award in 1997, and the South
Central Zone Cultural Center Award in 2003. He has been a member of the Executive Committee of the
Lalit Kala Akademi. In addition to being a painter, he shares his knowledge
through books on art education, one of which is "Sketching and Drawing – A
Personal View." This reveals that he is not just an artist who paints, but
also a teacher and thinker who wants others to understand art deeply.
From an
early age, he was interested in figurative art, which primarily focuses on
human forms. Social involvement and close observation of life shaped his
thinking. Understanding social structures made him realize that discrimination
between men and women still exists in every aspect of life. He began to
consider how this inequality affects human dignity. As an artist, he felt a
responsibility to respond to such injustice. Instead of loud or angry protests,
he preferred to express his views through the sensitive and calm language of
art.
Maruti
Shelke found unique ways to question gender discrimination in her paintings.
One of his most unique decisions was to depict both men and women without hair.
In Indian culture, hair is often considered a mark of a woman's beauty, but
this very mark also restricts women's freedom by confining them to certain
standards of appearance. Similarly, clothing becomes a limitation that dictates
how a woman should or should not be. Maruti Shelke deliberately removes these
limitations. When he paints men and women without hair, he attempts to remove
judgments about beauty and gender. Through this, he envisions a society where
physical differences may exist, but they do not become a cause of inequality.
He recognizes that men and women are inherently different in terms of biology
and anatomy, but he does not believe these differences justify discrimination.
In fact, he sees that differences often become the basis for injustice and
social hierarchies. This is how social structures like patriarchy, caste, and
economic inequality are formed. He rejects this system. This can be said to be
a special feature of their art, whereas such a concept of equality is rarely
found even among women artists and other feminism supporters. They fight
discrimination, but sometimes they inadvertently reinforce it instead of
eliminating it. Maruti Shelke's approach is different. Instead of fighting the
established discrimination between men and women, he attempts to eliminate the
visible differences. In doing so, gender equality becomes a natural starting
point in his paintings. Although some of his works depict women in traditional
Indian clothing, he mostly avoids elements that suggest inequality. His aim is
not to highlight women as a separate symbol, but to show all human beings as
equals.
Maruti
Shelke's art isn't just about thought; it also focuses on exquisite artistic
quality. His color choices are particularly noteworthy. His paintings use
light, pastel, and soothing colours. These colours convey tenderness, peace,
and compassion. According to Maruti Shelke, humans are inherently kind. No
child is born with cruelty or harshness. As a person grows up, circumstances
and social pressures alter their temperament, making them angry or ruthless. To
reflect the natural tenderness of human character, he chooses light, soft colours.
His paintings lack harsh colours or overt violence. In fact, his colour palette
reflects his personality. He speaks calmly, smiles naturally, and expresses his
thoughts simply. His calm nature is directly reflected in his colour choices.
Another strong
quality in his paintings is his use of line. Because he paints human figures,
lines are essential for conveying form. Many artists use bold and strong lines.
In contrast, Shelke's lines are calm, precise, and rhythmic. They are not
forceful, yet expressive. They gently hold the figures and give them structure,
while also connecting them to their surroundings. His lines are delicate enough
to show beauty, yet strong enough to convey form. The planning of form, lines,
and color together creates a balanced and beautiful composition.
Maruti
Shelke's canvases also demonstrate a thoughtful use of empty space. He doesn't
fill every part of the canvas with colour or form. Large areas remain open or
empty. This emptiness has a distinct meaning. It is a way to allow the figures
to stand independently, effectively asserting their identity and presence. In
some larger works, he creates human groups, but in most paintings, he creates
images of couples or families, or focuses on relationships between individuals.
These small human groups appear calmer, closer, and more social. The silence
surrounding the figures becomes a space for respect, freedom, and reflection.
It's not emptiness; it's a space for the subject to breathe.
In this
sense, his paintings can be seen as a peaceful hymn about human existence and
identity. He doesn't shout or protest. He expresses his views with calm, depth,
and humanity. He appears to be searching for a balance between coexistence,
companionship, and spontaneity, a fundamental tenet of Indian philosophy.
Maruti Shelke's art seeks simplicity, peace, and equality in human life, rather
than over-dramatization. His works remind us that if we learn to see beyond
physical differences, we can create a better and more balanced society.
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