Doctors Gone Artists! ‘Lovely Docs’ Display their ‘Lovely Art Works’ on a ‘Lovely Sunday’ at ‘AALEKH?
Mangaluru : Behind the white apron is a kaleidoscopic full of magnificent color and immense talent- and for the FIRST time in Mangaluru, the citizens of smart City had a chance to witness the art works of the “Healing Army” as they had picked up their paintbrushes instead of their steths (Stethoscopes), and meticulously created some lovely paintings/art works on a bright and lovely Sunday, which brought in lots of wow’s from the visitors to the exhibition. During the weekend, City’s Doctors and Dentists participated in “AALEKH”- First of a kind , Exclusive and Exemplary Group Exhibit of Art by doctors and dentists. Art is something that makes you breathe a different kind of happiness”- and Health care providers strive to spread cheer and happiness amongst their patients .
Yes, 44 doctors and dentists from various hospitals in and around Mangaluru joined together to present their art forms at AALEKH , which was held at Milagres Senate Hall-Mangaluru on 15 Sep 2019 . This exhibition displayed nearly 300 various art forms in different sizes like oil painting, acrylic painting, watercolors, charcoal Andrew pencil sketches- and this Art Exhibition by doctors which was for the FIRST time in Mangaluru involved so many doctors who came together to display their talent under one roof. Kudos to the “Brain child” behind this unique idea which was conceived by Dr Errel Dias , Professor Department of Surgery , Father Muller Medical college, and also the convener of this event.
This platform served a dual purpose of showcasing the hidden talents of the health care providers along with encouraging budding talent. Health care professionals – doctors, dentists, physiotherapists, audiologists, optometrists and many others in medical field unleashed their cultural, social and technical competencies that reach far beyond their biomedical training. One doctor speaking on his paintings said, “In my painting I use fundamental, geometric shapes: squares, rectangles, triangles, and an occasional circle as a kind of vocabulary. I arrange the forms to interplay with one another. I use color to fill the forms or highlight the forms and create other interactions. Art is a creative outlet that helps to balance the day to day pressures of Medical practice. Medical science saves lives, but art has its own healing properties and perhaps life altering changes in the society”.
The exhibition was inaugurated by chief guest Dr Akther Husain- HoD of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopaedics, along with other dignitaries on the dais, namely Fr Joseph Lobo-Parish priest of Milagres Church-Mangaluru, who presided over the function, and Ms Cecelia Pereira -the Vice President of Milagres Church parish Council, who was the guest of honor, and convener of Aalekh.
In his inaugural address, Dr Akther Husain said, “The object of art is not to reproduce reality, but to create a reality of the same intensity. It is important to express oneself…provided the feelings are real and are taken from you own experience. To be an artist is to believe in life. Art is not what you see, but what you make others see. Whether you succeed or not is irrelevant, there is no such thing. Making your unknown known is the important thing. Don’t think about making art, just get it done. Let everyone else decide if it’s good or bad, whether they love it or hate it. While they are deciding, make even more art. Painting is poetry that is seen rather than felt, and poetry is painting that is felt rather than seen. Today’s art work display shows the unique talents of doctors and dentists apart from their profession, and we need to appreciate the initiative brought forth by Dr Errel Dias by organizing the first art exhibition which has received tremendous response”
In his presidential address, Fr Joseph Lobo said, “Wow, I am overwhelmed looking at the unique talents in the form of art from doctors, who are not only professional health care specialists but professional artists too. In spite of their busy schedule in treating and caring for the patients, these doctors and dentists could find to create such beautiful art works needs to be appreciated and complimented. It’s nice to note you all have highlighted your passion through your artistic talents. May your art inspire many others, and that they too take up the hobby of painting. Painting is the grandchild of nature. It is related to God”.
Dr Thankam Verghese-Professor of Surgery at KMC, Mangaluru also briefed and highlighted the beauty of art, and said that each one of us have talents within us, and like Pablo Picasso said, “The artist is a receptacle for emotions that come from all over the place: from the sky, from the earth, from a scrap of paper, from a passing shape, from a spider’s web.” The welcome address was delivered by Dr Vinay Rao- Assistant professor ENT at FMMC, and the vote of thanks was proposed by Dr Nikitha Suzanne, while the programme was compered by Dr Arun John of Father Muller Medical College. Many of the art works were for sale, and Cheshire Home also had displayed some art works as a fund raiser for their Charitable work.
