Rome, May 20: A vibrant painting of Varanasi’s ghats has become a symbol of cultural friendship between India and Italy. Renowned Italian artist Johnpaolo Tohmasetti presented this artwork to Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Rome.
Tohmasetti described the painting as a ‘bridge’ connecting his artistic vision with the colorful spirit of India. During their conversation, he noted that PM Modi appreciated the piece and inquired about the time taken to create it.
“I told him that this painting serves as a bridge between the Italian artist’s vision and the vibrant essence of India,” Tohmasetti said. “He asked how long it took to make, and I replied it took about two weeks.”
The artist further mentioned that PM Modi praised his work and showed a deep interest in his artistic journey related to India’s spiritual and cultural heritage.
Tohmasetti shared that he has studied Indian art and literature from an Italian perspective for years. “I found India to be extremely rich in culture, sculptures, and paintings. I have also studied ancient texts like the Bhagavad Gita, Mahabharata, and Ramayana, drawing inspiration from them to give new dimensions to my art.”
He elaborated on the techniques used to create the painting, which depicts the sacred ghats of Varanasi along the Ganges, using mixed media, including acrylic colors. “I call it ‘Holy Varanasi.’ It is very colorful, reflecting India’s vibrant culture,” he stated.
Earlier, PM Modi praised Tohmasetti’s talent on the social media platform X. He remarked, “A glimpse of Kashi in Rome! Johnpaolo Tohmasetti, an Italian painter, presented a work based on Varanasi. His enthusiasm for Indian culture spans four decades. In the 1980s, he began as an illustrator for books based on Vedic culture. From 2008 to 2013, he worked on 23 large paintings related to the Mahabharata.”
Tohmasetti first encountered the Mahabharata at the age of 17 through Peter Brook’s theatrical adaptation, igniting his interest. After spending nearly five years studying the Mahabharata, he dedicated around 12 years to his main painting project, which unfolded in various phases. His artistic journey has taken him to places like Citta di Castello and Perugia in Italy, and he collaborated with the International Vedic Art Academy at Villa Vrindavan.
Notable paintings by him include Parth-Sarathi (Krishna as Arjuna’s charioteer), the disrobing of Draupadi, and the dramatic escape of Arjuna and Subhadra in Dwarka. Other depicted moments include various battle scenes, Krishna’s return to Dwarka, and the humiliation of Krishna by Shishupal. These artworks often feature elaborate landscapes, intricate architectural details (like the ideal Indraprastha), flying creatures, and expressive characters.
Arpit Soni has had a passion for journalism since the beginning. Now he has turned this hobby into his profession. Arpit, who is a resident of Udaipur, enjoys editing and writing news related to journalism. He has worked as a Senior Content Producer in several important roles at Bhaskar, Patrika, Pratahkal, Punjab Kesari, and Times. Arpit completed his schooling in Udaipur and Jaipur. He has been working in the media industry for more than 10 years, and his journey is still continuing. ✍️📚
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