Vrikshah

Vrikshah | वृक्षः | Tree was a group art exhibition held at Exhibition House, South Gate Entrance, 2 Rangapillai Street, Pondicherry. It opened on Tuesday, 26 August 2025 at 5:15 p.m. with an inauguration that included chanting and recitation, and ran until Sunday, 31 August 2025. Visiting hours were 9:30–11:30 a.m. and 5:30–7:30 p.m.

Around forty artists took part. Their work explored how trees shape human life, culture, memory and the environment, in a range of styles and mediums. The name itself is a trilingual invitation: Vrikshah (Sanskrit transliteration), वृक्षः (Devanagari) and Tree (English).

Artwork 1: Vrikshangi, the Chipko Movement

Medium: Acrylic on canvas | Year: 2025 | Artist: Jyotsna Sharma

Vrikshangi is inspired by the Chipko Movement, the non-violent environmental movement that began in the Himalayan region of India in the early 1970s. Village women hugged trees to stop them from being felled. The word "Chipko" means "to stick" or "to cling."

In the painting, a close-up portrait of a weathered elder looks out of the frame, carrying the weight of experience and quiet resolve. Behind her, four women in saris and headscarves stand hand in hand in front of a large tree trunk, forming a human shield. The forest around them is painted in warm ochres, mossy greens and earthy browns.

Themes: women-led environmental activism, community courage, non-violent resistance, forest conservation, the link between livelihood and nature.

Artwork 2: Amayam the Mango Tree, a Summer Scene

Medium: Acrylic on canvas | Year: 2025 | Artist: Jyotsna Sharma

Amayam the Mango Tree is painted in the folk idiom of Madhubani (Mithila) art, known for bold outlines, rich colour, intricate patterns and decorative borders. A mother in a vibrant sari reaches up to pluck a ripe mango, a basket in her hand, while her young daughter stands under the tree, happily eating a mango. A parrot sits among the branches, the sky swirls in blue patterns, and a pink floral-patterned border frames the scene.

The painting captures the joy of the Indian summer mango season, the care of a parent and the generosity of a tree. It is a gentle companion piece to Vrikshangi: where the first work shows people protecting trees, this one shows what trees give back.

Themes: nourishment, motherhood, childhood memories, seasonal abundance, folk art tradition, harmony between humans and nature.

Why These Two Works Belong Together

	Vrikshangi	Amayam the Mango Tree
Style	Painterly, atmospheric, realistic	Madhubani folk style, decorative
Mood	Resolute, reflective	Joyful, warm
Message	Protect the tree	The tree provides
Human presence	Women united in protest	A mother and daughter in everyday life

Together they answer the exhibition's theme: our relationship with trees is both a responsibility and a gift.