Stylish: Prints of Indian contemporary paintings are on display at the Viet Nam Exhibition Centre for Culture and the Arts in Ha Noi.

HA NOI — Twenty-eight figurative Indian paintings are on display at the Viet Nam Exhibition Centre for Culture and Arts in Ha Noi.

The event represents the figurative form as seen in the last 100 years through the works of India's 14 best known painters who dominate the art scene, both in the country and abroad.

The contemporary works on display are prints of original canvases.

"It (prints) obviate the problems of exorbitant insurance and safety that usually restrict an exhibition of this scale to travel out of the country," says Karan Singh, president of the Indian Council for Cultural Relations, which owns the collection.

Celebration of the figurative can be seen everywhere in India, whether in sculptures, on temple walls, paintings and murals on architectural marvels, said Pavan K Varma, director general of the council.

Visitors to the show have an opportunity to see works by Amrita Shergil, known for nude paintings and India's countryside works. Maqbool Fida Husain, appreciated for the works inspired from India's epic poems, and FN Souza, known as a "rebel" of India art with his distorted portraits paintings, are included.

The event is part of the celebration of the 40th anniversary of diplomatic relations and fifth anniversary of the establishment of strategic partnership between Viet Nam and India.

"President Ho Chi Minh and Indian Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru prepared the grounds for the relations between Viet Nam and India. Leaders and people of the two countries have nurtured and developed the relationship over the past years," said Huynh Vinh Ai, deputy minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism.

"The exhibition proves the close friendship between the two countries. It's also an opportunity for artists of the two countries to exchange and share experiences," he said.

On the occasion of the celebrations, a number of activities will be held in Viet Nam, said Indian Ambassador to Viet Nam RanJit Rae. In May, a naval ship will arrive at Hai Phong Port along with an Indian artistic troupe who will perform traditional dances and songs.

In June, the central city of Da Nang will host a seminar on relations between Viet Nam and India in preserving Cham cultural heritage.

The contemporary paintings exhibition, Kalpana-Masterpieces of Figurative India, is open till next Tuesday at the Viet Nam Exhibition Centre for Culture and the Arts, 2 Hoa Lu Street, Ha Noi. — VNS