About The Artist

Profile AMIT KALLA Amit Kalla born 7 February 1980 in Jaipur, Rajasthan, did Masters in Art and Aesthetics from Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi & studied Art History from the National Museum Institute specializing in ancient Indian art (Iconography). Presently researching Bhakti Literature and the artistic notions of Rajasthan & widely observing children response on art mediums, while working as a freelance artist and writer. The first collection of Amit Kalla’s poems Hone Na Hone Se Pare was awarded the prestigious Jyanpeeth’s Young Poet Award, a national award for emerging poets. He has since published 4 collections including Shabd Shabd Visarjan , Rit - Anrit and One Death God all of which have been critically acclaimed. He participated in Art Singapore, OZ Asia Festival Australia, International writer’s meet UAE. His poems and drawings are widely published in many contemporary Indian literary journals and magazines including Naya Gyanoday , Kritya , Vagarth , Ravivar , Parikatha ,Purvagraha 'ka' Kala Vaichariki , Doaaba ,Samkalin Bhartiya , Kavita Kosh , Navya , Akhar Kalash . He has been one of the assistant coordinators of the Kritya International poetry festival Kritya since 2008 and has been deeply engaged in various art and literary promotional programs through the Ramta Drig Collective a movement inclined towards social change through creativity, which he initiated in 2010. Much of the body of Kalla’s work can be represented by his commitment to experimenting with social engagement through the arts. It is here his strength lies. Through his deep connection to a cultural expression of a universal spirituality and passionate sense of humanity Kalla, continuously draws people from all communities into acts of creativity in the belief that through creativity people are empowered and communities move incrementally closer to truth. His poetry and paintings are spiritually intuited. While his poems create a secretive world of words, where silence speaks his paintings are calligraphic and draw on the same silent unknowing of invented texts. His paintings represent moments on the continuum; a slice snatched from his deeper hidden journey. The strength of Kalla’s work is that it represents an Indian artist’s quest for an indigenous tenor rather than a superficial inventory of native motifs, there is nothing about his work which relies on a static Indian Identity. In the context of the New India with its glamour and explosive economics, he is searching for a new representation of the innermost dramas of his culture while maintaining universality and individuality. There is a certain naivety in both his painting and writing which represents detachment but contains too a knowing gesture of assurance. -Daniel Connell, Artist/Writer, Live & Works Australia Biodata Amit Kalla Born February 07, 1980, Jaipur, Rajasthan, INDIA, Lives & works Jaipur. EDUCATION 2005 Masters in Arts & Aesthetics, J.N.U, New Delhi 2003 Studied Art History, N.M.I, New Delhi AWARDS & HONOURS 2007 Bhartiya Jnanpith Navlekhan Puraskar for Poetry Collection (Hone Na Hone Se Pare) 2007 Satya Shanti Samman 2007 Maru Parampara Puraskar 2011 Prakriti Samman, Jamshedpur 2013 Srajan Samman, International Art & Poetry festival, Dubai SOLO SHOWS 2014 Rit Ke Rang, JKK, Jaipur 2013 OMAG, Bhubnaeshwar, Orissa 2012 Govt.Art Center, Trivandrum, Kerala 2010 National Youth Conclave,Darbangha, Bihar 2010 J.K K. Jaipur 2008 Canvas Art Gallery, New Delhi 2008 Sudarshan Art Gallery, Bikaner 2007 Nehru center, Mumbai 2007 J.K.K, Jaipur 2006 Art Academy, Bangalore 2005 SAA Art gallery, J.N.U, New Delhi. 2005 TERI, IHC, New Delhi. GROUP SHOWS 2014 Expression 2014, DPS, Jodhpur 2014 Art Word Gallery, Chennai 2014 KTA Art Gallery, Allahabad 2014 Son Aviral, Dala, Sonbhadra 2013 International Poetry Festival Kritya , MGAHVW, Vardha 2013 Art For Uttrakhand, Lalit Kala Academy, New Delhi 2013 International Art Festival, Mumbai-13, at Coomarswami Museum 2013 International Art Festival, Mumbai-13 Aks Art Gallery & PL Deshpande Gallery, Mumbai 2013 Painting & Poetry Poster, Fahya, Sarjah, UAE 2012 Painting & Poetry Poster,, Dushyant Kumar Museum, Bhopal 2012 REFLECT BACK, Jalap Mohalla, Jodhpur 2012 REFLECT, Art Space Gallery, Adelaide, Australia 2012 International Mask Exhibition, New Delhi, Bhopal & Italy 2012 A Music of Moods, AIFACS, New Delhi 2012 Artistic Extensions, AKS art Gallery, Andhari, Mumbai 2011 Rajasthan Kabir Yatra, Bikaner 2010 Nostalgia, Shankar Deo Kalakshetra, Assam 2010 NCZCC, Allahabad 2010 Punjab Art Council Chandigarh 2009 Lines from, JKK, Jaipur 2009 Wandering Seer, JKK, Jaipur 2009 SPPACE, Conclave on Excellence 2009 Drizzles of colours , Tilting art gallery, Ishania Malla, Pune 2009 National Contemporary Artist Camp NCZCC, Chittrakut 2009 Abhivyakti , LKK Lucknow 2008 Gen Next 3, Aakriti Art Gallery, Kolkata 2008 Hyatt Residency, New Delhi 2008 Aspirationâ Studio Vasant ,New Delhi 2008 What Creates Life, Art Hub, Vadodara 2008 Russian Center, New Delhi. 2007 Athens Art Gallery, Greece 2007 Nithari – the aftermath, Canvas Art, New Delhi 2007 Ananya III, N.I.T Art gallery, Nagpur. 2007 Seven Strokes, Academy of Fine Arts & Literature, New Delhi. 2006 Different lines, drawing show, LALIT KALA academy, New Delhi. 2006 All India Artist Exhibition, Allahabad. 2006 Studio Vasant, New Delhi 2006 Mocha, Art & Soul, New Delhi 2006 All India Artist Exhibition, Amritsar 2004 Heart & Soul Gallery, New Delhi 2004 Kala Mela, J.K.K, Jaipur 2003 Fusion 22-Abhinav Art gallery, Jammu 2003 Ankan- J.K.K, Jaipur CAMP & WORKSHOPS 2014 Expression 2014, DPS, Jodhpur 2014 Live Art Performance, Abhivyakti, Poetry Festival, Lucknow 2014 Bikaner Art & Literature Festival 2014 Margi – Desi, Aghori Fort, Sonbhadra, U.P 2013 Poetry on Canvas, Shahitya Academy, New Delhi 2012 10 Years of Ka, New Delhi 2011 All India Spring Art Camp, Jamshedpur 2011 All India Spring Art Camp, Ranchi 2009 All India Art Camp Schindia School, Gwalior 2009 National Art Camp, Kala Rang Kala Sang, Gwalior 2009 Drashya Paar, Navchaukia, Jodhpur 2009 All India Spring Art Camp, Dhanbad 2009 KA Art Camp, IKVV, Khairagarh 2007 Young Artist Camp, Bhimtal, Roy Foundation, New Delhi. 2006 All India Painters Camp residency Allahabad University. 2005 All India Painters Camp, Mangali Gaon, Nagpur. 2005 All India Painters Camp Organized by JAKFAS with 'KA' an art magazine at J&K cultural academy. ART & ARTIST TALK/ MEET • Port Augusta, South Australia • Gallery Art Space, Adelaide • Khandwa, MP • Lokayan, Bikaner • Ramta Drig, Jodhpur • Dubai & Sharjah • Singapore art • Nagpur • Chandigarh POETRY READINGS 2013 World Poetry Movement Reading 2013 Parallel Reality, Devlalikar Art Gallery, Indore 2013 Abhivyakti Hindi, Fahya, Sarjah, UAE 2012 Rajasthan Hindi Granth Academy, Jaipur 2012 OZ Asia Festival, Adelaide, Australia 2012 Early Morning Poetry, Shermandal, Purana Quila, New Delhi 2012 Kritya International Poetry Festival, Trivandrum 2012 World Poetry Movement Reading 2011 Bengali Education Society, Dhantauli, Nagpur 2011 National Young Poet Meet, Sahitya Academy, Jodhpur 2011 SAMMF, Dala, Sonbhadra 2011 Shabd Rang Nirbandh, Ramta Drig, Jodhpur 2011 Kritya International Poetry Festival, Nagpur 2010 Spice & Words, Kaladi, Kerala 2009 India Habitat Center, New Delhi 2009 National Art Camp, Gwalior 2009 Kritya International Poetry Festival, Mysore 2008 Kritya International Poetry Festival, Chandigarh 2008 Reading org by Ka, JKK, Jaipur 2005 SAA Auditorium, JNU, New Delhi COLLECTIONS Lokmat Times, Nagpur, Contemporary Vibes, Chandigarh ; Bhartiya Jyanapith, New Delhi ; Teri, IHC, New Delhi ; Shaitya Academy New Delhi , India ; Athens art, Greece ; Princes Lutsyana, Italy ; Swan gallery & design Florida, U.S.A ; Bruticin Istanbul ; Apollo Hospital New Delhi, Hutch India Pvt. Ltd ; Taj group of hotels ; City bank , ABN AMRO, Foundation For Ecological Security, Bhilwara, Maru Parampara, Bikaner, Art Hub, Vadodra, Salvador Gems Istanbul, Sahitya Academy, New Delhi, Karma Art Gallery, Ahmadabad, Rainbow Art Gallery, New Delhi, Gallery Art Resource Trust, Mumbai, Kritya Trust, Trivandrum, Center For Adult Education, Jaipur, PUBLICATIONS 2007 “Hone Na Hone Se Pare (Hindi/Poetry) Bhartiya Jnanpith, New Delhi 2010 “Shabd Shabd Visarjan” (Hindi/Poetry) Publication, New Delhi Drawings Painting and poetry Published extensively in National and International Magazines WORGSHOPS & TRAININGS • Art Therapy workshop, NMI, New Delhi • Prakruti Mela workshops in different villages of, Bhilwara,Udaipur and Pratapgarh Districts • Attended a workshop on Natural Colors, organized by artist Siddhartha • State Level Drama and Theater in Education Workshop, Azim Premji Institute, Jaipur • Six Days Follow up workshop of Drama and Theater in Education Workshop, Azim Premji Institute, Jaipur OTHER ACTIVITIES • Creative Advisor (Ka) , Navya and Contemporary vibes art magazine, • Art coordinator Rajasthan Kabir Yatra ( LOKAYAN ) Bikaner • Assistant coordinator for International poetry festival, Kritya • Associated with Abhivyakti Creative Group, UAE • Songs & Script Writing for many short films and documentary • Knowledge of Cartoon making, clay molding, paper mashie and Installation Art • Attached with Unaupcharika Magazine • Sub Editor Killol , a book exploring creative aspect of children • Organized Bal mella’s for children, with the support of SPPACE • Skilled in making Natural colors • Extensive background in working with students of all ages. • Worked for Exhibition titled Ahsaas ek Prayas with Blind Children, NMI, New Delhi • Experience in organizing Community Art activities. • Running an organization named Ramta Drig for the social change through different creative forms. About Ramta Drig The Ramta Drig concept was formed by poet and visual artist, Amit Kalla, in 2008 while he and fellow artist and friend Daniel Connell travelled on long train journey across northern India towards Calcutta. Based on the notion of the Wandering Seer, a philosophical treatise on the continuous line of seeing and being seen, observance and perception that links all beings, Ramta Drig has become a collective of artists representing all genres interested in broadening and engaging a new audience for the Creativity is at the heart of the Ramta Drig philosophy. In the context of India where gaping extremes exist between communities and individuals, Ramta Drig attempts to create opportunities for crossing boundaries. ‘Creativity is our last hope’ spoke a young woman of Ramta Drig during a recent workshop which brought children from the wealthiest and the poorest communities of a small city together to create music, visual arts and view animated films. ‘Creativity has the potential to provide a spiritual framework like an alternative to religion, support those who need it and challenge the inequalities and injustices that diminish humanity.’ Ramta drig is not aligned with any religious, social or political movement. It is non hierarchical and non profit. It is a fluid but a rigorously supportive and active group of dedicated artists interested in transforming society gently and intelligently from the inside out. AMIT KALLA PLACE: Jaipur DATED: 2014 RESIDENCE/STUDIO 43, Joshi Colony, Tonk Phatak, Jaipur -302015 Phone - Mob.- 09413692123 E-mail- amitkallaartist@gmail.com