Falguni Mehta, an independent artist based in Mumbai, recently published a coffee table book that brings together her sketches and paintings that feature the turmoil and challenges faced by migrants, doctors, caregivers and many other people of India during the times of Covid-19. The book, ‘Covid Chronicles of India’, pays homage to Covid fighters and survivors of India.
 

Falguni is the wife of Manish Kumudchandra Mehta and daughter of Harshila and Rohit Dalpatlal Mehta. She has over 25 years of experience in working with acrylic, water colour, pen and ink, oil and mixed media textures. She considers painting as her form of meditation and has held numerous solo as well as thematic group shows. She regularly hosts workshops in India as well as overseas about self-expression in art through various media and has also been teaching IGCSE and A levels Art and Design and IB visual arts.

The paintings in the book depict the Covid narrative in a sensitive and authentic manner. Mellow yet thought-provoking, each painting prompts one to think beyond one's self. Be it 'the girl on the cycle' or 'the coffin of the caregiver' – they are images that touch the soul. 

Padma Bhushan Smt Rajashreeji Birla, Chairperson of the Aditya Birla Centre for Community Initiatives and Rural Development and Director on the Board of all Aditya Birla companies in India and overseas, in her foreword to the book writes, “Falguni Mehta and I go back ten years… (she is) an artist I deeply admire for her sensitivity and interpretation of art… For me it has been an amazing experience to mull over her beautifully straightforward portrayal of Covid and its impact… (it is) the first time I have seen the staging of a subject like Covid in this novel manner… This book is sure to touch a chord in every compassionate heart.”

In the second Foreword, Farzana Dohadwalla, former IB representative for S Asia and Vice President Early Childhood Assn and Assn of Primary Education and Research, writes, “Her paintings are like poetic verse and with just one glance at them, automatically emotions flow as it touches your heart… Her sketches shed light on how the pandemic has affected lives in myriad ways across India.”

Describing her own emotions, Falguni has earlier said, “As privileged people it is our calling to help the migrants. My paintings may be a means to tell their stories, but I believe they don’t need our pity, they need our help.”

The book is available from Amazon, Flipkart and BlueRose portals. 

For more details: www.falgunimehtaart.in