This artwork is an amalgamation of Indian culture

This painting “Fruits Seller” is an outstanding work by artist JMS Mani. Mani chooses to depict his characters, the balloon seller, fruit seller, the women with a rooster, in a simple and uncluttered manner. The artist brings out their strength of character and beauty in the midst of their mundane and hard life. The simple, rustic folk of the Deccan Plateau in South India, with strong Dravidian features are the subjects of Mani’s paintings. Though seemingly simple, Mani’s images are representative of an entire civilization. The pulsating colors in his paintings offset the dark skin of his characters, creating a sense of drama in his compositions. Also, it is his colors and compositions which are expressive, rather than the figures themselves. The figures appear to have been frozen within the canvas and their beauty and grace is enhanced by the restricted use of gestures and expressions.