1964–1969, Varanasi

Suraj Ghai was called by the Benares Hindu University to establish their Department of Fresco Painting in 1964. Life in Benares (or Varanasi) in all its chaos, noise, abject poverty and religious fervour brought into focus Suraj Ghai’s engagement with social concerns. Works such as Dance of the Rickshaw Pullers, City Without Soul, Demons of a New Hope remain Ghai’s force majeure in the abstract-expressionistic mode.

The Escape

The Escape (1965), 24.5 x 17″, Oil on Canvas Mounted on Board

Demons of a New Hope, a painting by Suraj Ghai

Demons of a New Hope (1965), 25 x 34″, Oil on Canvas

Dance of the Rickshaw Pullers

Dance of the Rickshaw Pullers (1967), 36 x 36″, Oil on Canvas

Dumb City and the Ominous Bird

Dumb City and the Ominous Bird (1967), 33.5 x 49″, Oil on Canvas

Indian Woman, a painting by Suraj Ghai

Indian Woman (1967), 12″ x 12″, Oil on Canvas Pasted on Board

City Without Soul, a painting by Suraj Ghai

City Without Soul (1967), 24 x 32″, Oil on Canvas

Design for Air Force Mural by Suraj Ghai

Design for a Mural for Air Force (1968), Combination of Sculpture and Mixed Media

Bhakhra Hydro mural design, 1968

Bhakhra Hydro Mural Design (1968)

When the Soul is Sick, a painting

When the Soul is Sick (1968), 62 x 42″, Oil on Canvas

Theatre Decor for Pagla Ghoda by Suraj Ghai

Theatre Decor for Pagla Ghoda Play (1968), Cardboard Model

Eloquent Absurdities and Absurd Eloquence

Eloquent Absurdities and Absurd Eloquence (1969), 35 x 26.5″, Oil on Canvas

Theatre Decor for Vich Vicholi play by Suraj Ghai

Theatre Decor for Vich Vicholi Play (1969), Cardboard Models

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