Tuesday, January 20, 2015

Impressions, The Art Club of The IIT Alumni Center

The genesis of Impressions

The first two lines of Hippocrates’s Aphorisms, read "ars longa, vita brevis" which explicitly mean "art is long, life is short". True. Leonardo Da Vinci continues to live through his creations. Much the same way, Michelangelo, D.W. Griffith and Beethoven live through their creations. The aesthetic appreciation of art is a rich experience in itself. The IIT Alumni Center – through its Art Club - Impressions, organizes various exhibitions and sales that showcase the paintings and sculptures of renowned Indian artists.

A starry-eyed launch

Impressions was launched on 2nd October, 2013 with an art show by Padmashri Dr. Thota Tharani. The celebrated artist exhibited a select mini-retrospective titled ’Inspired By Life’. The show was attended by art lovers and enthusiasts, who were enthralled by his works.
Padmashri Dr. Thota Tharani interacting with art enthusiasts

Revisiting the history of modern Indian art

The Arts and Culture series presented two sessions on 20th Century Indian Art conducted by local art collector, Pradipto Mahopatra. In his first session, he introduced the Bengal Movement, an influential art movement and a style of Indian painting that originated in Bengal and flourished throughout India during the early 20th century.

In his next session, Mr. Mahopatra shared interesting details about the Bombay progressive, the most influential group of modern artists in India, formed by Francis Newton Souza and S.H. Raza, and of which M. F. Husain and Manishi Dey were early members.

Pradipto Mahopatra conducted two sessions on 20th Century Indian Art

Promoting women artists

An Art and Craft Mela held in November 2013 exhibited the creations of three talented women artists: Lalitha Ramanarasiah, Ramaa Narayanan and Abirami Jawahar. Their contributions range from abstract painting to paper crafts.
Abirami Jawahar at her handicrafts stall

Women's day art show

Women's Day 2014 was celebrated with an Art and Sculpture Exhibition that focused on yoga and meditation and featured the works of noted women artists such as Thara Ganesan, Kamla Ravikumar and Isaiarasi.

Thara Ganesan is an artist, sculptor and curator, who also wears many other hats as a bilingual poetess, translator, short story writer and literary critic. Her style is unique and she merges emotions with the force of the five elements - Earth, Water, Air, Fire and Ether. Kamla Ravikumar qualified in Art and Interior Design from Mumbai, and is presently an artist and art instructor.
Isaiarasi is a young upcoming artist from Chennai. Isai exhibits for this exhibition have been paintings from her series titled AKASH. From forms to formlessness, creating, dissolving, recreating is the expression of an artist.

The sculptures depict various postures ( Asanas) of the "SuryanamskarĆ¢" in Yoga. There is one continuous sequence of the "ChakrvakasanaĆ¢" depicted in her sculptures through human figures. Mudras in Yoga which can benefit the body are also depicted through life size hand sculptures. There is a two feet height Buddha sculpted in Bronze. 

Art and Sculpture exhibition by noted women artists 

Memberships open!

Becoming a member of the IIT Alumni Center is easy and we’re here to guide you through the process. As a member, you not only get to participate in these events but also enjoy a wide range of elite facilities, and above all, connect with your old friends and make new ones.

Membership is open to alumni and faculty from all the IITs across India.

For club bookings, call us at (044) - 4553-4441 / 4553-4409.

To enquire about or apply for membership, click here.

Visit us: www.iitalumnicenter.org

Thursday, January 1, 2015

Literature, Arts & Sports - Events at the IIT Alumni Center

With a view to enhance interaction and build stronger bonds among its members, the IIT Alumni Center holds various activities throughout the year. The wide range of events provide excitement to book lovers, music enthusiasts, sports fanatics, intellectuals, and every other person who has varying interests.

Impressions: Art club 

At the IIT Alumni Center, we endeavour to shine a light on the country’s contemporary and folk art forms and give artists, a platform to begin their ascent and create a legacy through their works.
Impressions connect artists with art lovers through a series of art shows and workshops conducted by noted artists from various fields.


Bibliothek: Book reading club

An all-encompassing Book Reading Club called Bibliothek is a regular feature at the IIT Alumni Center. Members explore a diverse range of literature from different cultures. Most of the gatherings have the authors of the books present for a reading session and then a friendly exchange of ideas on the same.


WORKSHOPS

One for the music loving soul

Music lovers have also been treated to a range of events from interactive workshops to music appreciation. The Raga Tala Workshop, conducted by Flute Maestro and IIT alumnus, Krishnamurthi Bhaskaran, explored the mathematical foundations of music and how traditional music helps the mind relax. Renowned musician, Madhav Chari has also conducted an interactive workshop on jazz music at the Club in the City.
Flute Maestro Krishnamurthi Bhaskaran

Women only Workshop

The Women Only Workshop (WOW) is a two-hour coaching session held every month at the Club in the City, Abhiramapuram, Chennai. The invitation-only workshop provides women with the opportunity to gain a deeper understanding about financial planning and implementation, and is conducted by Ms. RenuMaheshwari, an SEBI registered Investment Advisor. Distinguished professionals from various other fields also oversee different sessions.


Renu Maheshwari, SEBI registered investment adviser addressing the gathering

Tai chi, jazz, green home gardens, and more
In 2014, Tai Chi Master Ranga Rao conducted an awareness session on the ancient Chinese practices of Tai Chi and Qigong covering practices for posture, relaxation, breathing, gathering and circulating chi/ vital energy, standing & sitting Qigong meditation, and many more. The session was heavily practice-oriented for the audience to take away and apply in their daily life. Apart from these events, various concerts are also hosted at the IIT Alumni Center. Activities that can enhance one’s mind and body, such as yoga and home gardening, are also conducted now and then.
French Music Band - Nyna Vales performing at Club in the City - IITAC

Open pairs bridge 
A popular activity among club members and non-members alike is the Open Pairs Bridge. Members can bring non-members as their playing partners, and take part in this event. The prize money offered is the highest among any monthly event in India!

Open Pairs Bridge - A popular activity among club members at IITAC


Annual quiz competition 
December brings with it evenings of sharp minds, quick wits, and a great deal of surprises.
Every year, the Center hosts a quiz event during this month, encouraging the members to put their vast expanse of knowledge to the test. Members of the IIT Alumni Center participate in this annual quiz competition. The competitions are conducted by member, N. Ram and cover a variety of topics ranging from movie quotes to lateral thinking.
Team members await their turn during the December Quiz
The enthusiastic participation of members serves to enhance the quality of communication between the alumni, and thereby, facilitates the growth of the Center.

Memberships open!

For club bookings, call us at (044) - 4553-4441 / 4553-4409.
To enquire about or apply for membership, click here.