“Heroes vanish in (Sierra Maestra), Heroines too (Madhubala died with a hole in her heart).” Profound prose and poignant thoughts set the tone of the evening for Bored, an exhibition of paintings by Pritish Nandy. A series of large, coloured canvases painted by the maverick took pride of place on the walls of the Tao Art Gallery in Worli. Painted in strong and vibrant colours, each canvas was a medium of creative manifestation of Nandy’s poetry. The idea was to break down the barriers between art and verse to create a unique visual experience aimed at reviving interest in poetry. Verve has always supported and been part of movements that create new mediums of communication and expressions. Being associated with this exhibit was a reinforcement of this.

Bored was well attended by people from a cross-section of interests. Guests included noted theatre personality Dolly Thakore as well as writer Anil Dharker. Prolific lyricist and filmmaker Gulzar, accompanied by daughter Meghna, was a press magnet and shutterbugs just couldn’t get enough of him. Other well-known faces included Sudhir Mishra and media personality Sameer Nair along with sister-in-law, Anjori Alagh.

Nandy, dressed in a buttoned down white shirt and red sneakers, was the toast of the evening, constantly surrounded by frenzied reporters, photographers and TV crews that wanted to capture him on camera with his work. Verve was the official media sponsor for the event. Magazines were displayed throughout the show. Guests left with their own copy featuring a preview on the exhibit. The canvases, emotional and thought-provoking, stirred the crowd and were the subject of much animated conversation. A painterly affair!