Madhvi Parekh and Her Creative Anchor

In an interview published in Illustrated Weekly of India In March 1990, Artist Madhvi Parekh Talks About Manu Parekh, Her Husband and Fellow Artist, Describing, Among other things, his ability to explain various aspects of Life to her. “There is one thing I find very nice about Manu, and that is his ability to explain things in a very simple And Lucid Manner. Also, “She Adds,” In Spite of Having Live In cities all his life, he is very aware about Village life and the Compulsion of Villagers. “

Village, for Anyone Familiar With Her Work, Holds a Central Place in Madhvi’s Art. It is the heartbeat of her practice – the village and its people being the mainstay of her work over the last six decades. Recognized as one of India’s influential artists, parekh is a pioneer in the realm of Folk modernism, Drawing Deeply from Memories of Her Childhood in a Village in Gujarat.

“Thought Confident as a person, madhvi was unsure about art in the beginning,” Says manu, who is recrueling from a severe leg injury. Meanwhile, madhvi is busy in the kitchen, preparaing masala chai And snacks to go with our conversation. “She’s Always Happy to Avoid Interviews,” Laughs Manu, Adding, “I have to do all the talking on her behalf. Ask me about the dimension of any of her paintings, and I will make telel you Everything in detail,” Madhvi, on her part, reiterates, “I don’t like to talk much. I have done my work, you can decipher what you have to,” She Laughs, Urging Us to Eat Well.

Sitting in the couple’s home in south delhi’s chittaranjan park is a calming experience. On the walls of the house hang paintings made by the artist-couple who have been married now for 66 years. “I was engaged to madhvi when I was 12 years old and she was 9 – [she was] A Real Village Tomboy, full of high spirits, and a rebel at heart, “He is quoted in a 1992 piece published in The Times of IndiaIn another piece, manu recalls how they exchanged letters before their marriage – Madhvi, He Notes, Took Six Months to Reply.

Artist Madhvi Parekh | Photo Credit: Dag

He has no clear memory of their first meeting nor does she. But bot both agre that, over time, they have built a rapport – a Quiet and Unassuming Support System in Each Other. In a world where the institution of marriage often faces strain – marked by growing complexities in relationships, disconnection and irrevocable breakdowns – Madhvi and Manu Have Navigated their JARNEY WITH AND Simplicity that feels Increasingly rare to find and observe. “Who does not have problems?” Madhvi Says Matter-of-Factly. “You have to cop; can’t just leave.” Manu Acknowledges The Complexities of Relationships, Especially in the Times we live in. In his view, what matters most is a man’s ability to recognize a woman’s pehchaan (Identity), Her Talent – Acknowledging Her Beyond The Conventional Roles of a Wife, Mother, DAUGHTER OR SISTER, Letting them Truply Thrive. Just as much as he may have guided her, he admits that she, too, has been a ground for force in his life and have kept heam focused.

Art and marriage

Madhvi Parekh with Her Artist Husband Manu Parekh. , Photo Credit: Dag

Having spent time with them over a couple of meetings, it is not different to note how they guide each other effortlessly. Whether it is growing used to each other or having a shared rhythm, they are cleverly each other’s home. Back in 1994, The Hindu began a series titled Artist Couples: How they cop with art and lifeIn the opening Piece, Writer Anjali Sarkar Gave Several Examples of Such Couples from the Western World Who Had Both Benefited and Been Ravged Emotionaly by their responsible partners. “Dorothy Pearlstein Gave Up Her Painting Career in Order to Support The Ambitions of Her Husband Philip Pearlstein., “Spouses and friends have also also proved Vital in the Continued Activity of many artists. Rothko’s wife worked as a model to support

Sitting in his room, manu says with a sense of pride, “even today, when we spendak to each other, I am interested in her point of view. So does She. ” He further adds, “That’s why our relationship is going so strong.” According to Him, it’s at a very cerebral level – and yet with utter simplicity – That they talk to each other. “We are artists interested in Each other’s work, and our talks are about everything related to our lives together and whitever comes with it,” he says. On her part, Madhvi agrees that manu is a mentor, friend and husband who first spotted her potential as an artist. “I still feel, I would’ve been a good teacher,” She Laughs. While Manu Shakes His Head Laughing, “See, She can gain all the reconstrance as an artist, but She still wants to be a montessori teacher.”

Decades ago, when they lived in bombay – having moved to the City in the Early 1960s – Madhvi Took a Course in Montesori Teaching. She Loved Her Interactions With Children and Was Completely Taken in by the innoce of their art. Interestingly, her art, while mature in execution, continues to retain a sense of childlike innoCen. Fascinated by the art she saw, she began to doodle in her free time at home. “I was the first one to spot her talent,” Says manu, adding that her questions about art during their visits to various exhibitions and galleries – Especially in the early years of marriage – Fascinated Him. “It was the beginning of our deep bond as husband and wife, and art was a Major Factor Connecting Us,” He reflects.

Togeether they have traveled across the world, Attended Artist Residencies and Experienced Life While Managing The Day-to-Day Affairs of Diestic Life. Through it all, Madhvi Credits Her Husband for Guiding Her Through the Numerous Lanes and Bylanes of Various Streets in Unknown Locations. “By Myself, I don’t like going out at all,” She says.

Distinctive strokes

Manu firmly believes that what keeps their marriage strong, even after so many years, is the genuine interest they continue to take in Each Other’s Lives. This is especially meaningful, giving that bot of them are artists. While they do not force their respecting opinions on Each other’s work, they offer guidance without interference. ,Mere Dimmag Mein, Aadha Main Hon, Aadhi Vo (In my mind, i’m half and she’s [my other] Half, “he says, acknowledging the depth of their relationship. Modernist – There was no one recognized for that ability after jamini roy. What we both didn’t anticipate was how far she’d go and how much appreciation her art would garner, “He says.

Paintings by Madhvi Parekh

He’s observant of her ways, quietly glancing at her when she is working Around the house, giving instructions to the staff or just bringing Him Medicines, Notbooks or His Sketchbooks. “Freedom,” he says reassuringly, “is so important in any relationship. You can’t tie anyone else [down] According to your whims and fancies. Look at Madhvi, “He Continues,” She’s Such a Strong, Confident person. Now imagine, tying a person like her down, Taking Away Her Talent. What Good God it do to any man if he stifles his partner’s creativity? ” Madhvi, too, agrees, that one constant guidance manu has offered her over all these years is to keep exploring her individual inclination and interesting, a Reason White Her Work Constinues Being Suing Suing Suing Suing Suing So.

Manu claims that he has no formal understanding of feminism: “Maen kuch zyaada bol nahi paoonga (I won’t be able to say much)… all i will say that men should stop being scred ofstrong and confident women. They’re excellent company. Also, a woman should have innumerable Chances – just like a man does – to prove her worth to herself over and over lead.Just back her, she’s alredy capable of achieving anything on her own. “

Madhvi Parekh: Remembred Tales is on View Till August 23 at Dag, New Delhi.

Excerpted with permission from Remembred TalesA collection of essays published by dag.