Rajendra Usapkar is a well-known Goan artist.
A heaven for tourists and lovers of art & culture, the state of Goa has produced many great figures in the fields of music, art, drama, literature and other performing arts, due to its rich cultural heritage and history. Like most Goan artists, Rajendra received his early training in drawing & painting at the Goa College of Art. He refused to tread upon the familiar path, and developed his own sensitive approach as a figurative artist.
The picturesque state of Goa has produced several artists of repute including Mohan Naik, Querozito de Sousa, Suhas Shilker, Harshada Kerkar, Hanuman Kambli, Sonia Sabharwal, Francis de Sousa, SP Chendvandker, Theodore Mesquita and Rajan Fulari. When one mentions of Goan art traditions, Rajendra Usapkar's name too features prominently among this list.
Rajendra Usapkar indulges in a vigorous and bold approach in his paintings, graphics and drawings, using minimal color and line. Using the line as his strong point, Rajendra succeeds in creating images of assorted emotions and feelings. Charcoal figures, however, are this dynamic artist's forte. His paintings dwell on their preoccupations with the people, whom he has encountered so far and who have had a significant impact on their lives.
The talented artist has several prizes and awards to his credit. He has participated in several prominent group shows in his home state as well as at different art centres of India apart from holding solo shows of his work. His work was among the select exhibits on display at the Institute Menezes Braganza hall by professional artists who participated in the painting competition organized by the Institute Menezes Braganza. Rajendra Usapkar was one of the three artists (Nirupa Naik and Rajashree Thakker were the other two) to win a special cash prize and a citation at the hands of the then governor of the state, Mohd. Fazal.
Among his noteworthy shows in recent times was an exhibition of his exquisite paintings and drawings along with another well-known Goan artist Sonia Rodrigues Sabharwal was held at the rehearsal Hall of the Kala Academy in Panjim in May 2001. The show, inaugurated by the then Chief Minister of the state, Manohar Parrikar, drew rave reviews. The exhibition of their paintings titled "Encounters", was organized by Fundacao Oriente.
He was one among the several renowned personalities from the field of art & culture to participate in the Fontainhas Arts Festival held in January - February 2003. The two-week event that was held in the heritage precinct of Fontainhas showcased the best of Indian fine and performing arts along with various forms folk traditions, crafts and local cuisine and cultural traditions. A charcoal portrait by Rajendra Usapkar was on view at the festival venue.
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