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Noni Borpuzari

by Nava Thakuria


Noni Borpuzari is recognized as one of creative artists in north eastern India with international repute. Once known as one of the outstanding printmaker of India, though now find more interest in painting, Noni is associated with the visual art movement of the region with his tireless effort and a concrete vision.

An amusing personality and a hard working and prolific artist, Noni has a rare quality to impress an art lover with fabulous treatment putting inside and outside of a canvas. The self-taught Guwahati based artist has so far exhibited his work in different parts of the globe. The 50 plus painter had joined those exhibitions both individually or in group. Some of his debuting important international exhibitions were : Mini Print International Exhibitions in Spain in 1983, Ninth International Contemporary Art Exhibition in New Delhi (1984) and International Exhibitions Against War in Poland (1985) etc. Whereas his overseas individuals shows were held in Kathmandu (Nepal, 1981), south California (USA, 1983), Imperial Valley (USA, 1983). His works were also exhibited in Dhaka (1986), Seychelles (1992), Missouri (1994), Texas (1994), Nebrasha (1994), Banff Center, Canada (1991) etc. In home country, Noni’s creations are being displayed regularly in New Delhi, Calcutta, Bombay, Chandigarh, Guwahati etc.

‘Blue Man’ - A painting by Borpuzari Some of his latest paintings are being displayed in distinguished web art magazine (including www.artsacre.com) and even sold through the website. The artist receives regular feedback from art connoisseurs throughout the world through his homepage.

To the painter’s credit, his paintings are collected in USA, Poland, Nepal and in India. The energetic artist from the trouble torn region of India had been selected as a member of Advisory Committee of National Gallery of Modern Art, New Delhi; also being conferred with Senior Fellowship in the field of Visual Art from the Ministry of Human Resource Development (Department of Culture), Government of India.

His paintings with dominating colors Blue and yellow on full-form figures can attract the viewers at their first sight. The artist’s tremendous weakness to those colors and placing of those with all their natural brightness find an important place on his canvas. The universal theme, more often he prefers, always make his creations more splendid and powerful. The ‘Anti Gravitation’ series of paintings caught the theme, which varies from selfish politicians to opportunists who were waiting for their goal or destination. Those paintings can add another dimension to excite the art-goers with the inherent movements of the floating figures in the space. The ‘Love’, ‘Life’, ‘Infusion’ and even ‘Death’ are also being used as theme in Noni’s canvas. His ‘Death’ series with an uncommon subject depicts the fear of final departure of a living being from this romantic and lovely world. Though Noni is fond of universal subject matters, presently he seems to be inclined to political themes too. His ‘Bandage’ series included some significantly paintings with political theme, which depicted the untold stories of some tortured, exploited section of our society. The full form realistic figures, yellow dominated canvas with selective green and golden touch can make the paintings most provocative.

‘The Chair’ - A painting by Borpuzari Born at Dergaon in upper Assam on 1950, Noni had his primary education at Shillong, the beautiful town in the cloud. Noni is impressed and still being influenced by the natural scenery of Shillong. "So whenever I draw a landscape, the scenery of colorful ‘Scotland of The East’ comes to my canvas. And I just cannot get rid of it." Noni is talkative when one mentions about Shillong.

After his college education Noni used to work for some government department, but found those very much boring. Lastly he worked as an artist in the Veterinary department under Assam government, though didn’t continue for long. Leaving aside all other avenues, Noni has dedicated all his skill and energy for creative development.

Presently associated with Srimanta Sankardev Kalakshetra Society in Guwahati as a Governing Body Member and Gauhati Artists’ Guild as an adviser, Noni is very much concerned about the present political turmoil of the entire north eastern region. The prolific painter is bold enough to add, "In whatever situation I am, woes and happiness, trifles and achievements of humanity make a deep impression on me. And I act accordingly."

Speaking to this writer the evergreen artist told that there is no dearth of talent in the region. Noni is optimistic about the new comers in the spectacular world of visual art. "They should be encouraged to show their works regularly inside and outside Assam and be exposed to the international art market. Now the artist can take the advantage of internet facilities in the region and open their own virtual art gallery. This kind of galleries possess tremendous possibilities and I don’t see any reasons, why the artists of our region leg behind," added Mr. Borpuzari.

Courtesy: AssamLive.com (2003)

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