Passion for Art: Mridula Chury
A piece of good art is ageless, so is the artist behind such art. Mridula Chury who predominantly works with pencil and charcoal, creates almost realistic sketches of national and international figures through deft strokes of her hand. Her sketches, which contain her artistic expressions, pulsate with a creative energy, and look as good as a colourful artwork despite being monochromatic in nature. Vinay Agarwal sits down with the artist for a tete-a-tete with the artist…
What does art mean to you?
Art is a combination of heart and mind; here one completely forgets the outer world and is transported to another world. I have got this gift from my mother.
As an artist, I keep finding my own scope for improvement. I believe one can only compete with oneself and do better than the last work
Can you tell us about your Mohd. Rafi sketch? What was the reference point and how much time did you take to finish it?
I have been a big Rafi fan since my childhood and have been listening to all his songs for many years. I believe he is a legend and the king of music. When I did a charcoal sketch of Michael Jackson, the king of pop on his birthday this year, I felt that I must do one of Mohammed Rafi who is the King of Music all over the world. Hence the idea of doing a sketch of Rafi sahab came to my mind. It’s a small tribute to him from my end.
It was deeply appreciated by his daughter-in-law Firdaus. Tell us more about that.
Yes, I felt extremely delighted when Mohammed Rafi’s daughter-in-law Firdaus Rafi appreciated my drawing sketch. She insisted that I make one more sketch and include her husband, Shahid Rafi and son Fuzail Rafi along with the legend Mohammed Rafi himself, in one frame. Later, Rafi sahab‘s grandson Fuzail Rafi too called me and had a word with me regarding the same, and he mentioned how much he loved his grandfather’s sketch too. I plan to do a sketch of his along with his grandfather Mohammed Rafi, very soon as well.
I have been a big Rafi fan since my childhood and have been listening to all his songs for many years. I believe he is a legend and the king of music.
Which are some of your favourite songs by Mohd. Rafi?
There are so many actually, it’s quite difficult to choose. But I would like to mention two of my favorite ones: Pathar Ke Sanam and Bahaaro Phool Barsao. I can listen to these songs all day.
Are you always satisfied with your final work?
Frankly speaking, not quite really, because as an artist, I keep finding my own scope for improvement. I believe one can only compete with oneself and do better than the last work.
What and who are your sources of creative inspiration? Also, you picked up the pencil after a hiatus, can you talk about that part in brief.
Inspiration can be found all around us if we just take the time to stop, look, and truly appreciate everything that life has given us, even in our toughest moments. I lost my husband last year, he used to tell me to follow my passion but it was only during the lockdown that I felt I was missing out on doing something that I really love. And that’s when my son forced me to pick up the pencil again and did the entire setup for the same. There’s been no looking back since. I feel age is no bar when it comes to fulfilling your dreams and passion.
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