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INDIA, February 21, 2023: For the first time in the history of Indian weddings, Jeevansathi.com, the country’s leading matrimony brand, organized a one-of-its-kind surprise for a Jeevansathi couple on their wedding. As part of its campaign, #StringsOfLoveByJS, Jeevansathi collaborated with ‘Din Shagna Da’ and ‘Ranjha’ fame singer-songwriter Jasleen Royal who treated the lucky bride and the family – hailing from Indore – to a beautiful performance on the wedding eve. In order to successfully pull off this enormous surprise, Jeevansathi.com took the groom – from surat – on their side while keeping it a secret from the bride, wedding guests and everyone else involved.

Jasleen sprung a surprise on the bride by gatecrashing the wedding immediately after the Varmala, stunning everyone present and leaving them bowled over. The reactions that the gig elicited from the bride and her family were beautifully captured by the Jeevansathi team, who disguised themselves as the employees of an event management company while secretly ensuring that all preparations were on track and that the plan came through exactly as it was conceptualized.

Himani Bahuguna, EVP & Head of Marketing, Jeevansathi.com, said, “It’s a beautiful love story that took wings on our platform, and we, in turn, made their special day extra memorable by flying Jasleen Royal for a live performance at their wedding. Given it was a real wedding, planning a surprise of this magnitude wasn’t easy at all, but the reactions made it totally worth it! We would like to thank Jasleen for her amazing performance and the groom for going that extra mile in helping us pull this off. With the success of this plan, we are sure that we will continue to come up with more such unique initiatives for Jeevansathi couples to bring that extra love and smiles into their lives.”

Hardly able to contain her excitement, Jasleen Royal added, “When Jeevansathi came up with this idea of gatecrashing a Jeevansathi couple’s wedding, it got me very excited because I had never done something like that before. A big thank you to Jeevansathi.com for making me a part of someone’s special day and making it extra special for the lovely couple. It is heart-warming to see a partner go above and beyond to make everything perfect for their spouse, and I would like to commend Jeevansathi.com for taking that extra care to make this happen flawlessly!”

The success of this exceptional campaign reiterates why Jeevansathi.com is the best matrimony platform for people to find love and take their relationship ahead. As the leading matrimony brand in India for over 25 years, Jeevansathi.com has played a vital role in shaping the evolution of marriages. The brand ensures that everyone gets the right tools and experience on our platform needed to find their perfect life partner.

Gurugram, 21 February 2023: Signature Global, India’s leading real estate brand, announced the launch of three independent floor projects in Gurugram under its mission in 2023. An assortment of projects has been announced in Gurugram, including Signature Global City 93 in Sector 93, Signature Global City 79 B in Sector 79 B, and Signature Global City 92-2 in Sector 92.

On this occasion, Mr. Pradeep Aggarwal, Founder & Chairman, of Signature Global (India) Ltd. said, “As part of our expansion strategy, we are delighted to launch these projects in Gurugram. We have observed a paradigm shift as consumers nowadays increasingly favor open green spaces and amenities near their homes post the pandemic. As a result, our independent floors are equipped with state-of-the-art and modern amenities.”

“Aside from being known for impeccable construction quality, our projects offer desirable amenities at competitive prices . Furthermore, our company is deeply committed to providing Green Homes with open green spaces to promote a healthy and sustainable lifestyle. In light of the pandemic and global warming, we believe eco-friendly and sustainable living practices are more critical than ever. Therefore, our top priority is ensuring minimal use of natural resources and implementing green building practices. We are pleased to announce that these independent floors will provide EDGE (excellence in design for greater efficiencies) certified Green Homes to residents, reflecting our dedication to creating an eco-conscious living environment,” he added.

Spread over 17.31875 acres, the premium and luxurious Signature Global City 93 project offers a world-class lifestyle, unparalleled connectivity, conveniences, and comforts. The project offers 996 units of 2 and 3 BHK independent floors. The price of 2BHK independent floors commences at INR 7750000 and the 3BHK independent floors are priced between INR 97,57,000 to INR 1,18,19000 crore.

The second independent floors project, Signature Global City 79 B, is situated on a sprawling 12.4875 acres of lush greenery, providing a serene and unpolluted lifestyle away from the city’s commotion.

The project offers 776 units of 2 and 3 BHK independent floors. The price bracket for 2BHK independent floors starts at INR 82.81 Lakhs onwards, while the price for 3BHK independent floors ranges from 1.04 Crores to 1.19 crores.

Another independent floors project which is Signature Global City 92-2, occupies 8.3125 acres of land and provides 688 units of 2 BHK and 3 BHK apartments. The price for 2BHK independent floors begins at INR 75.75 lakhs onwards, while the price for 3BHK independent floors starts at INR 89.25 lakhs onward.

Renowned Padam Bhusan architect Hafeez contractor designed Signature Global City 92-2 and Signature Global 79B and Signature Global City 93 is designed by AEDAS. The interior designing part is catered by the internationally renowned interior designer Sonali Bhagwati. The project, therefore, is going to be a work of perfection amidst an urban location.

The strategic locations of these projects will keep the dwellers connected to NH-8, Dwarka Expressway, Golf Course Road, and Badshapur via Southern Peripheral Road.

These independent floors have been developed under state housing DDJAY policy provide a seamless range of over 25 amenities, including amenities like Forest Spine Virtual Concierge App, Free Wi-Fi, Cyber Lounge, Laundromat, Modular Kitchen, Digital Door Lock, Wellness Zone, Clubhouse, electric car charging stations, reflexology path, e-library, meeting room, yoga court, skating rink, open gym, badminton court, wellness zone along with other basic amenities. Also, all these projects are also offering a High Street Retail Hub i.e. Signum Plaza which will cater to residents’ daily needs.

Hyderabad 21st February: The fourth day of ELECRAMA 2023, the biennial electricals and electronics showcase of the Indian Electrical & Electronic Manufacturers’ Association (IEEMA), witnessed an engrossing interaction session with Shri Piyush Goyal, Hon’ble Minister of Commerce & Industry, Govt. of India at the India Expo Mart, Greater Noida on 21st February 2023. The session was also graced with the presence of 12 start-up firm leaders whose organizations were shortlisted for this year’s much-anticipated ‘Electraverse Spark competition. The ceremony saw key dignitaries like Mr. Rohit Pathak, President, IEEMA; Mr. Hamza Arsiwala, President-Elect, IEEMA; Mr. Sunil Singhvi, Vice-President, IEEMA indulging in an open interaction with global industry leaders and experts in attendance.

Shri Piyush Goyal, Hon’ble Minister of Commerce and Industry, Govt. Of India, said, “I urge IEEMA to facilitate new programs and initiatives in small cities of north-eastern India including the likes of Jabalpur among others. When it comes to the Indian electrical industry, we’ve already done exports amounting to 10 million dollars and now aim to reach the 25-million-dollar mark in the future. With an acceleration in global efforts towards creating a sustainable future, I recommend the US and UK to exhibit events akin to ELECRAMA 2023 to contribute more efficiently towards the world’s sustainability needs. With this year’s edition of ELECRAMA focusing on reimagining energy for a sustainable future, I would like to stress on the need for quality over quantity, not only as our way of life but also as a defining factor for the future of this ever-growing industry.”

Mr. Rohit Pathak, President of IEEMA, said, “In the next 25 years, 50% of global energy consumption will happen through renewable sources. And, given the country’s preparedness and continuing efforts towards creating a future roadmap for energy transformation, I feel, the time has come for India to establish itself as a major hub for global power requirements. We appreciate that Shri Piyush Goyal, Honourable Minister-Commerce & Industry, Govt of India is here with us today and that he understands the significance of what we are trying to build through ELECRAMA 2023. This is the largest energy exhibition in the world with 1000 exhibitors, and buyers from over 75 countries. We, at IEEMA, are putting more emphasis on sustainability and green activities in order to create a greener nation and have a good influence on the world. The power industry has undergone a major paradigm shift, and it’s important for institutions to promote sustainable practices.”

Since its inception in 1990, ELECRAMA has grown from 250 exhibitors to 1,350 exhibitors over the past 14 editions and is proud to have a lineup of approximately 1,500+ exhibitors (from over 70 countries) in 2023. The ongoing edition will also host a series of events and exhibitors under the marquee events like World Utility Summit, eTechnxt, Change X Change – Reverse Buyers and Sellers Meet, DBSM – Domestic Buyer Seller Meet, and Buildelec.

21st February 2023: Hipi, India’s leading short video app that encourages creativity and passion, successfully concluded the voting phase for the viewers’ choice categories of the Zee Cine Awards 2023. Celebrating the excellence in Indian cinema, this collaboration offered Hipi users an exclusive opportunity to cast their ballot for their favourite celebs, movies, and songs. In addition, the short video app will also bring exciting celeb content from the red carpet of the award ceremony, exclusively for its users.

As a part of this association, Hipi enabled its users to cast their votes for the viewers’ choice categories in the Best Actor, Best Actress, Best Film, and Song of the Year of the Zee Cine Awards 2023.

The Award night will also witness the culmination of Hipi Stunner – India’s first digital fashion pageant. The six winners of this unique fashion pageant will get a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to rub shoulders with their favourite celebrities, basking in the limelight of acknowledgment and stardom. They will also be accompanied by the gorgeous Nikita Anand, Miss India Universe 2003, the host of the six-month-long, Hipi Stunner pageant.

At the Zee Cine Awards red carpet, Hipi will engage and interact with Bollywood celebrities to create fresh and exciting new content as they make their way through the event. Users and fans will be able to access this exclusive content, featuring behind-the-scenes moments and fun videos from the red carpet.

Hipi has continuously brought forth such wonderful opportunities through ground-breaking challenges and contests, in which users can participate from the comfort of their homes. GBS Bindra, Chief Business Officer of Hipi mentioned, “Hipi has always aimed to provide a stepping stone for talented creators to reach for the stars. With contests like Hipi Stunner, Hipi G.O.A.T and the ongoing challenge, Hipi Lipsync Battle, the platform is teeming with opportunities waiting to be seized by any creator with a desire of making it big.”

New Delhi, 21 February 2023: At Andhra Pradesh‘s successful Investors Meet in Mumbai today, held ahead of its Global Investors Summit 2023, the government assures the fastest single-window clearance, usable coastline, ports, quality power, abundant land bank, state-of-the-art infrastructure to Maharashtra investors for collaborating businesses for growth.

By calling the state of Maharashtra, the largest economy in India, accounting for over 14% of India’s GDP and contributing to 20% of industrial output in the country, Shri. Gudivada Amarnath, Minister for Industries, Infrastructure, Investment & Commerce, Information Technology, Handlooms & Textiles, Andhra Pradesh, said that the industry meet would help improve cooperation between the growth-oriented, economic power-house states in the country.

“With its diversified portfolio across the industry (including sectors such as automobiles, chemicals, aerospace & defence, pharmaceuticals, textiles, etc), Infrastructure (ports, road network), IT/ITeS, Startup ecosystem, Gems & Jewellery, Finance, Tourism, the state boasts of the highest per capita income of $3,800 in 2021-22,” said Shri Amarnath.

“At the moment, 89 large projects are under active implementation with a total investment of INR 2.2 Lakh Crore (USD 27.54 billion) with the potential to create employment for 20,000 people,” he added.

Being the Champion State in Ease of Doing Business, and with the availability of large industrial land banks, 530 industrial estates, 293 industrial parks, 31 MSME parks, 6 special economic zones (SEZs), 3 information technology SEZs, and 3 major industrial corridors, Andhra Pradesh is a competitive investment destination on India’s east coast.

Talking at the Meet, about the state’s rich history of economic and industrial development across multiple sectors, that continue to contribute to the growth of India’s economy, Shri. Buggana Rajendranath Reddy, Hon’ble Minister, Finance & Planning, Commercial Taxes, Legislative Affairs, Skill Development & Training, Government of Andhra Pradesh said that the state is taking big strides as evidenced by its economic growth, the state recorded a GSDP growth rate of 11.43%, which was the highest among all states in FY22 and in the last three years, the state’s exports have increased at a CAGR of 9.3%.

“Over the past few years, the Government of Andhra Pradesh has undertaken several path-breaking reforms and initiatives to strengthen governance, improve the business environment, promote policy stability, drive competitiveness, and enhance transparency, to boost the investment climate,” added Shri Rajendranath.

The government is also inviting businesses to set up shops to its vibrant city of Visakhapatnam which ranks among India’s top 5 cleanest cities as per the recent Swachh Bharat Rankings.

As per Shri Audimulapu Suresh, Hon’ble Minister for Municipal Administration & Urban Development, present at the event, the city of Visakhapatnam is their biggest urban agglomeration. With a coastline that stretches for 85 km, Visakhapatnam is a growing port city with 20 million residents, 5.8 million households, and 681.92 square km of land. “The vibrant coastal city is cosmopolitan in nature and a hub for industrial, educational, and tourist activities attracting investments from Public and Private Companies that include Oil Refinery, Zinc, Fertilizers, Steel, Dredging, Heavy Engineering, Ship Building, and Power Generation. Large-scale industries said, Shri Suresh.

The state of Andhra Pradesh is showcasing its rich natural resources, large investments in infrastructure, land bank, and intensive reforms in rules and regulations at successful investors’ meetings in Mumbai. These efforts, taken together, position Andhra Pradesh as the state where abundance meets prosperity. The event is the fourth of many such meets that is being organized in the run-up to the Global Investors Summit on March 3rd -4th 2023 in Visakhapatnam.

The ministries, state government institutions, and officers from various departments had an open interaction with the investing community in Mumbai today. Promising to handhold potential investors and facilitate the fastest turnaround time. The presentations showcased the present and upcoming infrastructure and the conducive policy environment of the state. Agriculture, Agro-based industries, maritime sector, manufacturing, food processing, ports, IT and Electronics, handlooms, and textiles sectors attracted significant interest at the event.

Andhra Pradesh is India’s gateway to the southeast with its 974 km long coastline, the second longest in the country, 6 existing ports, and 4 upcoming ports. Coincidently, it has also emerged as the fastest-growing state in India, as per the number released so far, with double-digit growth of 11.43% in 2021-22. The state has embarked on a rapid growth path under the able leadership of Sri Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy, Honourable Chief Minister. Thanks to the governance reforms and formulation of investor-friendly policies by the government, the state has emerged on top in terms of ease of doing business (EoD) for three consecutive years.

Consistent improvement in the governance framework to create hassle-free investing is augmented by hard infrastructure. The improvements have been duly recognized and the state has received various awards over the last year alone. To name a few the LEADS award for logistics 2022, the Inertia Award for Energy 2022, the ET award for port-led, and the infrastructure project 2022.

The event was also graced by the key functionaries of state government including Shri. Sridhar Lanka, Advisor to the Andhra Pradesh Government, Shri Robin Banerjee, Vice Chairman, CII Maharashtra State Council,- Shri M. Govinda Reddy, Chairman, APIIC, Smt. Bandi Nagendra Punyaseela, Chairperson, APIDC, Smt. Sunitha, Principal Secretary, Handlooms & Textiles, Shri Saurabh Gaur, Secretary, IT & Electronics and Skill Development,- Shri Shanmohan, CEO, AP Maritime Board, Smt. Srijana Gummalla, Director of Industries, Shri Sridhar Reddy, CEO, AP Food Processing Society, Bharat Kumar Coo – AP food processing society, and Industry leaders from Tamil Nadu.

New Delhi, February 20, 2023: In light of the auspicious festival of Mahashivratri, Delhi-based NGO, Wishes and Blessings distributed 2000 milk glasses to the homeless and destitute children. The drive was executed by organizing a unique milk distribution drive across Delhi NCR, Jharkhand, Karnataka, and West Bengal on 18th February 2023.

Wishes and Blessings have been celebrating this holy festival in a distinctive manner for the last six years. The beneficiaries of this year’s milk distribution drive include street and slum children, homeless children living in night shelters, orphans, visually impaired children, and children with physical disabilities. The NGO welcomed kind-hearted and generous individuals to come forward and contribute to this unique initiative.

Commenting on the occasion, the Founder and President of Wishes and Blessings said,

“It’s in small moments like these that I realize the magnitude of the efforts of social workers and in moments like these that I realize that every effort contributes to making a difference. It warmed my heart to see the contentment of the little ones as they gulped the glasses of milk. What we take for granted is a luxury for so many of the lesser fortunate out there. I appreciate everyone who came forward to assist us in spreading joy and positivity to those in need.”

Anjali, a beneficiary from the streets of Delhi said,

“Mama told me that milk is very nutritious for young children like me. I am so grateful that the didis and bhaiyas came to distribute these refreshing glasses of milk to me and my siblings. I feel happy and stronger today!”

Since 2014, Wishes and Blessings have been spreading happy smiles amongst the underprivileged through their various happiness-centric programs.

Bhubaneswar, 20th February 2023: AIC-Nalanda and Karkhana Makerspace organized ‘Innovate Odisha’ at AIC-Nalanda Incubation Centre, Bhubaneswar on 19thand 20th February 2023, which lights up the bright and innovative ideas of creative thinkers. Innovate Odisha is a platform for engineers, non-engineers,students &professionalstocollaborateandbuildinnovative solutions for various challenging problems.

This 24-Hours Hackathon is based on themes of futuristic technology like Internet of Things, Cloud, AI, Future Mobility, Applied Robotics, Metaverse, and Web 3.0. Founder’s Talk, Music Nite, and Community Talk are also part of the program. Renowned guests from the Government and Corporate world will share their valuable thoughts and experiences with the young and enthusiastic innovators.

From over morethan300participants,80 were selected under 20 finalist teams. More than 15eminentspeakers and 30+ corporates were also a part of the program. Exciting cash prizes for Winners & Runners Up will make Innovate Odisha a most sought-after event for innovators.

President of Vedanta Aluminium Limited (Odisha and Chattisgarh) Dr.Tapan Kumar Chand in his address to the gathering said “We must encourage such product hackathons as that will speed up implementation of Industry 4.0 products & services”. He further added that the list of all innovations made during this hackathon should be shared with the Industry Associations & other relevant bodies to ensure seamless integration between innovations done at Business Incubators & Industry.

CEO of AIC-Nalanda Shri Devjyoti Mohanty delivered the welcome address to the gathering and said that “We at AIC-Nalanda have strongly believed that fresh minds create better innovation which is why we as an incubator have always practiced encouraging students across all levels of education.”

The Founder & CEO of Karkhana Makerspace Shri Siddharth Bhatter delivered the vote of thanks.

Innovate Odisha is going to prove itself as an extraordinary platform for students from various Colleges& Universities across the State. It will enable them to use their creativity to innovate and explore new ideas. This Hackathon focuses on Learning than winning and shall be an exciting opportunity for all creative thinkers to meet and develop impactful solutions to re-write India’s true growth story.

New Delhi | February 20, 2023

All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) launched the curriculum designed for two new programs of BTech Electronics (VLSI Design and Technology) and a Diploma in IC manufacturing.

The courses shall be uploaded on the AICTE portal.

Any number of AICTE-affiliated colleges/universities/technical institutions may opt to offer these courses.

This course will provide a variety of employment roles featuring outstanding salary incentives for Indian students in global as well as Indian companies.

Union Minister for Electronics and Information Technology, Ashwini Vaishnaw said, “The PM approved the Semicon India program on Jan 1, 2022. In consultation with the Semiconductor industry and all the experts, a curriculum has been developed and today AICTE within the Ministry of Education has launched two new programs.”

“First is a BTech program in semiconductors and second is a diploma program in semiconductors. These two programs will help us create very good semiconductor talent throughout the engineering ecosystem. I would encourage the youngsters, students, and industries to participate in the programs,” Ashwini Vaishnaw added.

Prof. T G Sitharam, Chairman, AICTE launched the Model Curricula on Semiconductor Design and IC Manufacturing for UG and Diploma students of technical institutions. He shared his experiences while being a faculty of IISc and thereafter part of academic administration at IIT Guwahati. He emphasized on the nature of education the institutions are imparting should be interdisciplinary. Besides, he requested that academic institutions to opt for starting new courses in the area of the semiconductor domain so as to meet future manpower needs.

Dr. P. Shyama Raju, Chancellor, of REVA University thanked AICTE for conducting an interesting event in line with the Mission of the country to become a semiconductor hub. Further, he also requested the industry personnel to come forward and let the academic fraternity be aware of their domain-specific requirements.

The VLSI sector is a high-paying industry and is immune to automation.

It will create an environment for the Semiconductor ecosystem for setting and scaling up.

The B.Tech in Electronics (VLSI Design and Technology) will include Introduction to IC Design and Technology, Digital systems labs, Semiconductor Device Fundamentals, Analog Electronics, Introduction to CMOS processing, Introduction to VLSI Design, Analog IC Design, Statis Timing Analysis, Fabrication and characterization lab and Physics of Electrical engineering materials.

The Diploma in IC Manufacturing will include an Introduction to VLSI Fabrication, Semiconductor Fab familiarisation, Electronic Devices and circuits, Clean room technologies, Semiconductor Technology Equipment Maintenance, Allied activities for the foundry like safety protocol for foundry, vacuum technology, Industrial automation, Semiconductor packaging and testing, Electronics system assembly or product design and Renewable energy technologies.

The Semicon India program (with a total outlay of Rs 76,000 crore) is aimed at the development of the semiconductor and display manufacturing ecosystem in India.

The program provides financial support to companies investing in semiconductors, display manufacturing and design ecosystems.

In line with the Semicon India program, the Chips to Startup (C2S) program aims to train 85,000 engineers (Bachelor, Masters, and Research level combined) qualified in ESDM disciplines over a period of 5 years. Necessary tie-ups with 82 technical education institutes have been made.

Hyderabad, February 20th, 2023: Padmashri Dr. Dasari Prasada Rao, former Director of Nizam Institute of Medical Sciences and Chairman, Nano Hospitals Pvt. Ltd.; was conferred the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award by the Indian Association of Cardiovascular Thoracic Surgeons (IACTS) – the association of heart surgeons of India, at its 69th Annual Conference, held at Coimbatore. He was felicitated with the coveted award in recognition of his yeoman service and excellence in heart, lung, and liver surgeries, spanning over four decades. Chief Guest Shri MA. Subramanian, Minister for Medical and Health, Tamil Nadu; Dr. Jail Singh Mehrwal, President, IACTS and Dr. C.S. Hairmath, Secretary, IACTS; other dignitaries and over a thousand heart surgeons from pan India; graced the occasion.

Dr. Prasada Rao earned enormous admiration and goodwill from his patients and professional peers alike, for his dexterity and expertise, on par with the best in the world, in the field of cardiothoracic surgery. He is acknowledged for his high standard of proficiency in performing coronary bypass surgeries, heart valve surgeries, and other heart operations and won the gratitude of patients for being their lifesaver. During his tenure as the Director of NIMS Hospital, Hyderabad; he initiated several visionary measures including equipping the hospital with advanced facilities, construction of the new building, setting up of state-of-the-art medical facilities like accident and emergency hospital, specialty Hospital, stem cell facility, bone marrow treatment, etc. He upgraded NIMS and ensured it was counted among the best healthcare facilities in the country. He played an active role in acquiring 200 hundred acres of land for NIMS University at Bibi Nagar, which is currently shaping into the All-India Institute of Medical Sciences. As the founding director of the Care Group of Hospitals, Mediciti Hospital, he contributed significantly to their transformation into centers of excellence. He was awarded the Padma Shri in 2001 along with many other awards for his multi-faceted services. Dr. Prasada Rao is currently serving as the Chief Cardiac Surgeon at Apollo Spectra Hospital, Ameerpet, Hyderabad.

By Rajesh Ram at Palette Art Gallery 

“I’m constantly exploring the properties of the place of history amidst a fluidity and movement created with heavy connotations of human reality and the power of politics in the life of man .” Rajesh Ram

An artist who contends with surpassing the limitations of the physical constraints of materiality while interrogating notions of perceived reality, power, and strength within the history of politics, hybrid forms, and the existence of man. Drawing upon his extensive knowledge of nature, history and anatomy, Rajesh Ram examines perceived material capabilities and how man and herbed forms appear in surprising ways in the haunts of history. The 40 pieces of stoneware sculptures represent imaginative , fascinating forms, suggesting mathematical perfection to the fusion of half man half animal , while the exterior surfaces reflect dusty ruin amorphousness ,in the textures resembling — metaphors for the human experience and where real beauty in all of forms and humans including homo sapiens can be found.There is a seamless strain of poetics within the juxtaposition of fragility and strength in the stoneware forms that he works with. Within the structure of sculptural vignettes we see a physical duality which unravels as a parallel to the very notions and paradoxes of the human condition. This exhibition is a natural evolution of Rajesh Ram’s sculptural work exploring the physical nature of materials, the place of memory and the politics of human behaviour. Characters leap out of the pages of history.Its like a melange of memories that have frozen into stoneware sculptures that tell stories of the past woven into present day debacles in politics.

Homo Sapien series

Ram’s Homo Sapien series is a Darwinian delight. He juxtaposes the homo sapiens with Indian temple sculptures .“ I have always had a fascination for the roots of human history , it creates an unending curiosity within me,” says Ram. “ In this sculpture I am creating a bridge between the past and the present. I have portrayed an erotic figurine style from Indian temple sculptures. I wanted to represent fertility and procreation of civilisations by making these sculptures. Here I have created 10 Homosapien sculptures in different styles and figurations .”

Evolution of man

What Ram has done is to create a surreal environment that evokes the spirituality and naturality of the evolution of man within relics of Hinduism in the temple sculptures that create not just a corollary of conversations, but simply add a sense of tranquil contemplation. You may know that you are -sitting on a bench inside this beautiful walled gallery, but the glowing light rays create patterned shadows of the sculptural finesse that Ram conjures to create a whole set of design dynamics that go beyond the banal to carve a visual history that is unique.

You can almost smell the peculiar musty scent of ancient places of worship, places where thousands of people have gone before you over hundreds of years to think, pray, plead and worship. Sometimes the face sheds tears, sometimes it watches in silent angst, and sometimes you see deep love, each homo sapien is an emotive evocation in sculptural finesse and this is the kind of power and quizzical quotient that Ram’s work emanates.

Art and Architecture

Blending religious art and architecture in some works that are wall stories , eschews human and animal depictions, and these constraints seem to be spiritually effective. Visually glorious botanical patterns and small , specific depictions result in something that feels universal. The pillars and arches constructed during the golden age of innovations in math and science, seem to surely feed such stunning decorative geometries.Human Roots and Spacecraft are two works that play with symbolism and geometry.

“ Sculptures and architecture are records of the past,” says Ram. “ Somehow we can track the passage of history through these artworks. It also talks about human development and so many journeys. So I portrayed the human brain to show the roots of human existence . I use architectural representation because it is my favorite expression for my art practice.”

Standing in the dim lit avant- garde space at Palette Art Gallery, looking at the filigree of shadows in stoneware , you feel like you could soar or sink into solitude within the volume of the room. Some of the most compelling pieces such as Left Over, Space, Melting Backbone combine zoological brilliance, articulations and atmosphere. Even in this technologically saturated age, the simple magic of melding imagery of man and animals as hybrids and shadows still rivets people.

Man and nature

Half Head has a hippo with mouth wide open fused into the head of man. “ When I sculpted this roaring hippo a few years ago, I was narrating the story of power, and the travelling notes of history. Half Head represents the politics behind the throne . This composition is the creation of a scene of how my mind plays back the narration of the beauty of the reality of History and its multiple elements,” says Ram.

Ram’s man and nature hybrid pieces give us a sense of wonder at both the elements of inclusion as well as exclusion. It is like a journey in intersections. Ram translates these contradictory feelings into his sculptures , by creating a contemplative space of his own making of dualities that is open to all. He uses simple means to dramatic effect: a single, human head or figure and plantar fronds and roots shine through intricately created botanical elements made from stoneware and treated with ash. Each side of these sculptures are a hallmark of brilliance in juxtaposition and form, repeating asymmetrical patterns that Ram designs by combining and adapting different decorative elements he sees on various travels to different parts of the world.The antiquated shapes and forms on the human and animal faces become shadows on the gallery walls. Within the fusion of man and animal forms there is no clear boundary or separation that exists; our moving eyes change the nature of the pattern as we walk freely through the dense silhouettes in the gallery.

Bridge between past and future As visitors we become part of the imagery as the patterns project the facial complexity of the sculptures . The idea that we are all connected, that the fabric of humanity is inherently interwoven, is a theme that runs through this suite of works in the show. One stellar work is Lucas Bringer of Light .

“ This is one of the characters I created in my imagination which acts as a bridge between the past and the future,” says Ram.

“ When I look into the pages of history, something pushes me to think about the beginning of everything . All the characters that figure somehow also tell so many stories from the beginning.”In the patterns of stoneware we see an attempt to immerse viewers in shared experiences and inclusive spaces. Ram creates his own images of interpretation. Suspended between past present and future the sculptures transform the surrounding environment, alluding to the associations of materials and memories.These exquisitely detailed sculptures are framed into intricate incorporations of iconography and textual referencing scientific , mystical and cultural commentaries surrounding creation narratives. In many ways Ram is conceiving his litany of works as a dialog between science and man . We are taken back to the story of Earth’s creation in seven days, marking the beginning of the world and in essence, of time itself. In contrast, theories of evolution, which arose during the nineteenth century, chronicle a history that began billions of years before humanity’s existence. Ram brings all of this alive.He also interweaves a multiplicity of belief systems. This show of stoneware sculptures is an odyssey of blending elements from the natural world, each sculpture becoming a self-contained symbolic universe exploring the fluidity of time and how diverse narratives coalesce and intersect. In the imagination of his own universe the artist Rajesh Ram steps into multiple orbits that transcend time and tide.

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