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Soulful creations
Straight from the heart — Photo: Sampath Kumar G.P.
RASHMI KOTHARI describes her art as "art from the heart". And that explains the name she has given to her studio that doubles up as a shop - Kalatma.
Rashmi, interestingly, has had no professional training in art. So, it all started as a hobby, which turned into her profession.
Artefacts are Rashmi's forte and her creations serve the dual purpose of being decorative pieces, which also double up as utility items. "I believe that an artefact has to be of some use, and not just have decorative value. That way, one can keep an object of art without feeling the lack of space even in a small house," she feels.
Never one to curb her creativity by working with limited materials, Rashmi uses anything and everything to add her special touch to her murals and pots. Terra cotta, wood, shell, jute, marble chips, rope, beads, sand, M-seal, broken bangles, and batteries are some of the material that she uses, as "these can be sourced anywhere from the streets of Shivajinagar to Bangalore's lifestyle stores". The outcome of using any material that is available on the spur of the moment is what makes her art unique and spontaneous. "I never make an attempt to think what to do with any object, it just flows," she says. But she adds that things and events that happen around her inspire her. To exemplify, there is one particular section in her studio on Mission Road that is dominated by motifs such as sun, sand, and various hues of blue. This, she says, was inspired by her visit to Goa. Now, with Diwali just round the corner, one notices that Rashmi's designs feature lamps, sacred symbols, and images of her favourite deity, Ganesha.
Kalatma houses many little keepsakes, gifts, and utility items such as candle stands, photo frames, decanters, lamps, tissue paper holders, ash trays, paper weights, pen stands, etc. But what is unique about her earthy-coloured artefacts is that they are made with eco-friendly material. Once inside the studio, myriad shades of browns and greens catch your attention. One also finds some creation in pearl black. But why does she not use colours such as vivacious reds and yellows? "Earthy colours strike a different chord in me, and they are pleasant. Whenever I have to use bright colours, I have to think twice before I combine two."
Bright or not, her artefacts are beautiful and have a neat finish. Most of the murals (which are sold as name plates) depict the abstract because that is what she believes "flows from the heart". Rashmi has also designed artefacts for some of the City's famed photographers and designers. Some of her products can be found at Raaga and Bramha as well.
Items at Kalatma are priced at Rs. 45 upwards. Rashmi can be contacted on 9844273330.
TINA GARG
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