By Naguesh Rao Sardessai
Shalini Sanjay Srivastava, an artist by choice, doesn’t require reasons to paint. Passionate about painting, she literally lives with a brush in her hand and creative ideas in her mind.

Within a year of putting on a display her works based on the Indian sculptures, Shalini Srivastava is ready with her most recent output based on various aspects connected with Lord Krishna titled ‘Krishna As I See’. Voracious painter that she is, her multitasking abilities deserve appreciation. Numerous ideas and multiple canvases keep her busy.
Lucknow-bred Shalini has special affinity with places connected with the Lord, like Mathura. Having been to these spots and visiting temples as a child was fascinating experience, which got embedded in her subconscious. And it was just a matter of time before these images got transformed into beautiful pictures with the aid of paint and brush.
Preferring oils to acrylics, this self-taught artist enjoys laid back character of the former that gives her time to enjoy every step in the process. Her love for painting prods her to overlook the acute allergy she has of oils and she passionately immerses herself into the act of painting.
Tradition and culture is her leitmotif. If, through sculptures and sculptural edifies, she has brought out the best in sculptural or spatial art in her last exhibition, then these set of paintings show her connect with the Indian spiritual tradition and the knowledge she holds of the vast and potent subject.
Lord Krishna being the most revered and popular icon amongst the religious iconographic figures, he is equally complex in many ways. The numerous forms he appears in, the roles He performs, the pragmatic philosophy He propounds and the path He draws for us mere mortals to follow and lead a fulfilling life is worth mulling on.
Shalini doesn’t leave any scope to find faults. Her thorough understanding and study reflects in her paintings that exude a curious aura. It is difficult to judge if the divinity within or the well sculpted icons on the canvas entice viewers.
“Bal Krishna is a cute figure and this draws me to the Lord,” says Shalini. The theory of Karma has been her most loved subject. “The Karma theory seems a truly practical and sensible way to approach life and its nuances,” remarks Shalini before adding, “And this concept goes beyond religion and melts the artificial divisive lines man has created.”
This painting, created over a period of five months, offers a panoramic view of the Lord and His philosophy. There is nothing more you require to see beyond this exhibition to know the Lord. His childhood pranks, frolicking with the gopis, playing pranks with friends, quiet time with Radha and many more moments are portrayed. The most striking is the ‘Virat Roop’ wherein he reveals his true divine self to his beloved Arjun and prods him to fight the battle of life that manifests into the greatest battle on earth – Mahabharata.
“Krishna is the world’s best known diplomat and that too is a fascinating aspect of the Lord,” remarks Shalini. “He has opened our eyes to understand the difference between truth and untruth.”
Another interesting and masterly work has the Lord overpowering Kalia the snake. Each work has been well structured and composed. Apt colour combination and neat drawings elevate the standard of every painting on display. Some of the works have been moulded in the miniature style that requires meticulous brushwork and detailed finishing.    
One is inspired and compelling drawn to her paintings, getting lost in the forms and moving imagery.  “To begin with, I paint for myself. I leave the finished painting in the hands of the viewers - to savour and bath the mind in the beauty of imagery,” says Shalini before elaborating. “I began to get drawn towards the Lord’s figures during my frequent visits to temples with my parents. This has been my inspiration and the paintings are a result of this.”
Shalini, the wife of Goa’s Chief Secretary, Mr Sanjay Srivastava, doesn’t bask in her husband’s glory. She has treaded her own path and displayed her calibre. Two exhibitions and several paintings latter she has made a lasting impression in the field of art. For a self-taught artist, her works are loaded with a compelling quality.
“Goa is such a beautiful place with amazing people. Art is in the air and it’s natural for any creatively inclined individual to get intoxicated by the culturally rich atmosphere,” says Shalini with the excitement of an inspired person.
Shalini manages to find time to pursue her passion of painting in the midst of her domestic compulsions. She gives credit to the members of her family. Her husband, she says, is extremely supportive of her endeavour, with creative inputs coming from her daughter. Shalini gives credit to her parents and sister, who is a singer, for the encouragement she received in the initial days.
Shalini signs off with a philosophically line that forces you to accept her conviction and salute her resolve. “I have great faith in the ‘Law of Karma’ and I’m sure my efforts will bear fruits.”  
(The exhibition of paintings ‘Krishna as I See It’ by Shalini Srivastava will be inaugurated today at 6:00 p.m. at Kala Academy, Goa.)