Samvaad with Sidharth: The Visual Story Teller of Many Journeys (Part 5 of 5)

Welcome to Samvaad, where art meets conversation, and inspiration knows no bounds. Here we engage in insightful conversations with eminent personalities from the art fraternity. Through Samvaad, Abir Pothi aims to create a platform for thought-provoking discussions, providing readers with an exclusive glimpse into the creative processes, inspirations, and experiences of these creative individuals. From curating groundbreaking exhibitions to pushing the boundaries of artistic expression, our interviews shed light on the diverse perspectives and contributions of these art luminaries. Samvaad is your ticket to connect with the visionaries who breathe life into the art world, offering unique insights and behind-the-scenes glimpses into their fascinating journeys.

This is Part V of Samvaad between Nidheesh Tyagi from Abir and Sidharth. While still at school in his village Sidharth started painting signboards. Working as an apprentice with village mason Tara Mistry, he learned the art of creating murals and friezes. Later he went on to learn the Thangka painting technique from the Tibetan monks in Mcleodganj. He spent some time with artist Sobha Singh (painter) too at his studio in Andretta, Himachal Pradesh. After doing a five-year diploma in painting from the Government College of Arts, Chandigarh he went to Sweden for some time. He is now settled in New Delhi where he has his own studio. Sidharth has participated in more than 135 group shows in the UK, Sweden, the US, Singapore and Hong Kong besides India. An honorary degree of DLitt was conferred on Sidharth in 2012 by Punjabi University, Patiala.

Nidheesh: As we have so many young artists at Abir, what would you like to suggest to them as experienced artists?

Sidharth: The only thing in this world that gives more than it takes is a suggestion.

Nidheesh: Yes

Sidharth: There are different paths and everybody’s journey is different. Just remember that this world is very beautiful. I will tell you a story, a beautiful one. A man walked towards heaven, he felt the cool breeze there. The heaven was very beautiful; it had long trees and shadows. It was very bright, huge mountains and deep rivers were there. It also had waterfalls, and nature’s music was there. He was amazed and thought of sleeping there. He thought about it and realized how nice it would be if he could get something to eat before sleeping. Suddenly a lot of food comes in front of him. He ate the food enthusiastically. It was cold out there, and he again wondered if he could find something to wear and something under him. Suddenly he found a blanket and a mattress. He fell asleep and wondered whether he had everything he wished for, including water and a bed. He doubted if there was any negative energy behind it and suddenly the same energy appears in front of him. They all surrounded him. Therefore, this is what our life is. You will get whatever you manifest. Because whatever you will think, if sadness, you’ll get nothing but sadness.

There is one more beautiful story. During my childhood, people used to hear stories from me. One day I started telling them a tale of a character whose name was Nawgaja. I said I met Nawgaja. I bunked school and rather I used to walk in the woods. That forest was huge, around four to five hundred kilometres in area. Our village was small, situated at the centre of it. I used to roam around in the jungle during the day. I started telling the story of Nawgaja to everyone I meet. Nawgaja is just a mythical character in village folktales and people are afraid of him. One day, when I was walking toward that same tree in the afternoon. I found a tall man standing under the tree in white clothes. I was afraid and thought that this was the same man. We used to have tall men in our villages, seeing a man of seven feet was very common. His shadow was big, and I thought that he is 9 feet tall. I returned, and I found a Sufi saint standing near a grave. I informed him that I really saw Nawgaja. He started laughing and mocked me because of my false narratives. He told me that one could get anything if he manifests. I ran back to the tree and found nothing. I understood one thing that day one should be precise while asking for any wish. Because that person has to face the consequences of his wish. I have whatever I wished for, and I do not ask for much.

Nidheesh: What do you think about the situation of contemporary art in our country?

Sidharth: See, I am not critical about it. I have told you everything. That there is only one content and nothing else. There is no contemporary without any content. We need new content; the form could be anything. Do realistic, photo-realistic or work on Photoshop but it has to be with content.

Nidheesh: So, you don’t see any new content?

Sidharth: If I find anything new, I will definitely call it contemporary. But, sorry to say that not even in India, not even in the West, wherever I go for an exhibition I get nothing. Yes, using techniques separately is a different story altogether, Interior designers do it better than us. We just need new content that is all. I am always looking for content but I can never find it. Some of them are sexual and some are unnecessary misery. Everything is necessary, our cartoonists are better than they are. At least they have content. This now happens in every field including music. However, some youths differ. In contemporary music, they have new ideas: they have new melodies, new styles and new instruments. You will also find some poets who are different. Every word that comes out of their mouth expresses a lot. For example, I was reading your poems the other day. I am not saying this because you are sitting in front of me, but I have actually read the entire poem. I usually cannot read the whole poem. If you read expository material, you will see that the poet is going nowhere, not engaging the reader and not even engaging him. Today’s paintings are the same, developing neither himself or herself nor the audience. Marketing is a different story altogether, it is a different world.

Nidheesh: Where do you get the inspiration for your art?

Sidharth: If you get it from the art itself, it’s fake. Inspiration is not outside of art either. The content comes from you. You can associate the content only with the outside world but the metaphorical image of it comes only from you. That is your thing and that is you. Otherwise, nothing will come of art. One can only talk about Picasso, but there is a continuum. I do not understand what kind of competition is this. People often think that it has been done with this technique, why should we do it again? Personally, I do not understand it.

Nidheesh: You have learned the art from Chandigarh School of Art and other places as well. What do you think about the current scenario of today’s art school?

Sidharth: The buildings are good, but it all depends on the students. If someone is willing to learn, he can learn. The school cannot do anything about it. Art College cannot help you grow as a person; you have to learn it on your own. You have to develop your intelligence. I was in a Tibetan school and for the first three years, my guru asked me to grind colours. I learned to make vegetable dyes, learned to set gold and learned to meditate. The process was very difficult; we talked about the vision of it every day. We always had new conversations; I read many scriptures including Buddhists, Shavists etc. I learned about language control. I also learned biophysics, the biological physics of the human body, the biological physics of trees, and the biological physics of grass. I learned to draw mandalas and architecture. Finally, I got permission to paint. When I held the brush after three years, I became very emotional. I thanked my guru and touched his feet, tears welling up in my eyes. My guru laughed at me and said, go see the world now. It is very sad to say that our art colleges do not teach you in a holistic manner. They do not teach you the art of listening; they do not even teach you how to see, they do not even teach you techniques, if you have the courage then become an artist.

Nidheesh: Are the artists coming because of art school?

Sidharth: They are learning outside the school. forever and always! School just gives you an environment and nothing else.

Nidheesh: Tell us something about your upcoming works.

Sidharth: I am going to create some characters, I have read some books and met some people, trees, birds and animals, flowing rivers, beautiful men and women. Some stories, some sky, some universe. I have beautiful stories.

Transcribed by Abhishek Dixit.