Susmita Lakhyani’s paintings inspired by Buddhism

“I have been inspired by philosophy of sage Nichiren Daishonin because he writes on how to bring hope in this world, and how to really feel happiness inside. The real purpose of life should be to bring positive changes in society,” says Lakhyani. The artworks at the exhibition are an amalgamation of different places and reflect a person’s inner scape. “I have drawn inspiration from nature in myriad forms. The real purpose of my paintings would be solved if a person low in life is able to draw inspiration and get some hope,” says the artist. ‘Lotus’, a recurring leitmotif in her artworks, takes up different meaning in different paintings like in some it signifies faith and purity, while in others it expresses happiness, comfort and luxury. 

“The twists and turns of dry leaf which I have painted, are symbolic of elegant wrinkles of experience on the portrait of life,” says artist. In a painting titled ‘Hope’, the artist attempts to draw viewer’s attention towards the struggles outside in the form of logwoods in the foreground and a female soul standing over it. “Identity” depicts the uniqueness of each human. 

The thumb print portrayed in the picture conveys that Buddha exists in the core of each life. “Our real identity is Buddha – the awakened one. Caste and name is not our true identity but we all are Buddhas – pure souls from distant past, that is what should reflect in our society too,” says the artist. The exhibition which began on September 26 at India Habitat Centre here will continue till September 29.