FLORAL TRIBUTES PAID

FLORAL TRIBUTES PAID

15-DEC-ENG 7

RAJIV NAYAN AGRAWAL

ARA------------------------Today, a tribute ceremony was held at the local Jayaprakash Narayan Open-Air Stage in memory of the city and country's contemporary artist, Bhubaneswar Bhaskar. The painter, theater artist, art critic, and writer, Bhubaneswar Bhaskar, had been suffering from heart ailments for many years and was battling for his life. Recently, he slipped and fell on the roof, sustaining a head injury from which he could not recover even after surgery. The late Bhubaneswar Bhaskar was not only a prominent painter and art writer from Bhojpur but also one of the leading artists in the country. Addressing the tribute ceremony, theater artist Krishnendu said that he was one of Mr. Bhaskar's friends who understood art and culture from its roots, having shared in his early struggles. Painter Roshan Rai, in his address, said that the creativity and dedication to folk art that Bhubaneswar Bhaskar possessed was unparalleled. During his artistic journey, Mr. Bhaskar organized numerous art exhibitions on the soil of Bhojpur, which helped connect the region to art and culture. Bhaskar Mishra, secretary of the social organization Yatharth, addressed the gathering and said that they had all together started a new chapter in the art world of Bhojpur. He said that they had conducted in-depth studies of the Bhojpuri painting style, raised awareness in villages and towns, and presented a new idea to society, and they would never forget Bhubaneswar Bhaskar's contribution to this effort. Bhubaneswar Bhaskar, during his artistic journey, closely felt the earthy fragrance of Bhojpur's soil and created a new style by combining contemporary and folk art. Senior writer Niraj Kumar Singh, offering floral tributes, expressed deep sorrow and sympathy for Bhubaneswar Bhaskar's artistic struggles. Everyone's eyes were moist on this occasion; everyone felt that Bhojpur had lost a painter, art writer, and theater artist whose loss would be difficult to compensate for. Bhubaneswar Bhaskar also wrote two books during his artistic journey, one on Bhojpuri art and culture and another on art dialogue, and he had the honor of being awarded numerous times by prestigious institutions in the country. Theater artist Anup Avalik, a friend of Bhaskar, said in his address that Bhaskar's relevance is now becoming clear. He was a truly down-to-earth artist, a rare kind of artist deeply connected to his roots, possessing the aesthetic sensibility that Bhaskar had. Numerous painters, journalists, theater artists, and writers from the city were present at this memorial service. Everyone's eyes were moist, and a strange silence hung in the air. No one could bear the untimely passing of the painter. In his address, young poet Suman Kumar recalled Bhaskar's early artistic understanding in his heartfelt tribute. The late Bhubaneswar Bhaskar's artistic style, with its contemporary context and understanding of folk art, was unique. In his paintings, the fragrance of the soil of Bhojpur was clearly visible in the deep outlines and muted, earthy colors. Bhaskar created numerous paintings during his artistic journey, which are preserved in respected institutions and locations across the country. Senior journalist and theater artist Shamshad Prem, while conducting the proceedings, said in his address that he was one of those friends who were part of Bhubaneswar's artistic struggle. It was a struggle that intertwined both the struggles and the beauty of life with the colors of friendship. Bhubaneswar had strengthened his sense of belonging to the land of Bhojpur, and he will remain in all our memories. Among those present were Satyadev Kumar, Amit Kumar Bunty, Indu Rai, Kamlesh Kundan, Dr. Ajay Kumar Singh, Ishtiaq, Santosh Shreyans, Shubham Sinha, W, Brajesh Kumar Singh, Punit Kumar, poet Janmejay Ojha, Sanjay Kumar, Vikrant Kumar, Sanjeev Sinha, and Nilesh Golu.