Baiju Parthan may be described as an artist in perfect synchrony with his
existential views. The complexities of life never fail to preoccupy, intrigue and stimulate him. In fact, a self-proclaimed rebel, he delights in probing, questioning and unravelling the mysteries of life in his art practice. A techno-buff, Baiju’s response to the works of the more traditionallly inclined artist and writer, Haku Shah, have been a discovery of how the ‘simple’ can be celebrated. Haku Shah, a committed Gandhian, ‘speaks’ his values of truth and simplicity through his art-making. “Softly,” as he says, “art does not have to shout to be heard.” Here, then, are two generations of artists unfolding the layers one idea.