They were asked the following questions on a feed-back form –

- Do you think this exhibition tells you something new about communication? How and what?

- Do you think the paintings convey the meaning effectively? Does the text
help or you think the text is not necessary?

- Which paintings do you like more – political or a-political ones?

- What do you think you can do about some of the issues raised by the paintings? How can you go about it?

- Any other general comments/your impression about Purandare’s work.

Do you think this exhibition tells you something new about communication? How and what?

- Painting requires senses. When you are communicating these issues through these paintings we feel, rather just know. This is more effective than just factual data that we are being bombarded with continuously and have been desensitised to. This is needed to make us ‘feel’ towards the issues again. – N

- Of course it does. Communicating something verbally may leave you pondering with lots of visuals one after another related to the topic. But if you have a whole picture , at which you can STARE and get expression through colours, it leads to a focussed perspective. – SS

- This exhibition did more than just tell me something about communication. It made me realise how powerfully visual art can communicate. Before this I was told about the power of communication of images, now I know it!! – SG

- Yes. Effective communication. The expression is through colours, hazes, brightness…show the perspective…A whole new dimension of thoughts arises…has risen!! – AM

- Yes communication is effectively used to show the problems. These pictures are more meaningful than 10 minutes documentary. – YP

- Yes, surely. Every picture speaks and delivers its message. Every colour used in the painting describes its state. – HS

- Yes it told me a lot about non-verbal communication. Normally, communication is perceived to be as being able to talk or write properly. But what I learnt was you can convey your message silently too. – KYR

- Yes the exhibition definitely tells us about a new means of communication. You have successfully conveyed what actually happens through the medium of these paintings. I guess that would not have been possible orally. - H

- The exhibition expresses human emotions. It is a visual communication. It makes us feel how lucky we are to have at least the basic necessities – food, clothing, shelter… - SA

- Something new I learnt was that political issues could be put into paintings so well and convey the message very clearly with the help of a strong title. – PKS

- Yes, colours indeed bring out a situation very beautifully and effectively. Art is a brilliant way to sink in a message in the minds of a viewer. – AM

- It is beautiful…the way visual art can be expressed so beautifully. It was easy to understand. - S

- The exhibition definitely tells us more about communication. We tend to just read and forget about the issues around us… These paintings make us think and hence, communicate a lot. – PK

- Yes, definitely. Because the whole process of communication is based on some or the other symbols and your paintings are symbolic but still hard-hitting. They depict your attitudes to art and complexities of human life…which you have put forth through your art. – AS

- Yes I think a picture tells the story more effectively than 100 words. Your pictures convey emotions and history behind it…- PS

- Yes, it is a new communication style. Through pictures and booklet you provide you really educate us. – SK

- It is a correct way of communication because the artist has taken many social problems from international level which common man does not know…then text is necessary. - CK

- I don’t think new things as such but a new way to convey your message. – GKS

- Yes, surely it is! But as it is it is a bit difficult and takes an effort at times. Basically colours, lines and forms themselves complement the subjects. – LK

- Yes, because some paintings connect us to the other parts of the globe while some show us a feeling of togetherness and hatred. – JA

- Yes. It tells the fact or truth of our society...e.g. behaviour of teenagers…how they are going the wrong way...human way or animal way... - AS

- Yes, that emotions can help you communicate. The painting ‘conversation’ excellently explains that love and emotion can be conveyed between man and a dog by just a loving glance. – UB

- Yes. This exhibition tells me something new about communication. I think communication can take place not only through words but through human facial expressions that the paintings show. – SB

- This exhibition is a pictorial way of communication. It is a good practice to put your point across symbolically. – SK

- This entire painting style is a new form of communication and gives us a better visualisation of the problems… - KS

- As we say a picture is worth a thousand words. If we had to study any particular issue then we would have had to read pages together but you make it easy. – GD

- Yes, images have always communicated to me more…however until this exhibition they didn’t represent much but this was amazing. – MD

- Yes, it surely does. All the pictures show different modes of communication. – SB

- Yes there are ways to convey message and this is an artist’s perspective. Communication doesn’t always have to be verbal or through signs but can be with anything. – D

- Yes. This exhibition clearly shows the importance and role of colours and figures in communicating a political situation. All kinds of states of human mind are depicted through art. – MN

- Yes. This exhibition helped a lot in knowing many things that are actually taking place in the world. Communication is great through these paintings …which are so knowledgeable… - AR

- What we see is what we perceive. And until we know the truth behind the picture we can always keep guessing. And what it tells me is that concrete, effective and mysterious communication ..that keeps you guessing is our true nature. – HG

- Yes it certainly does. I never thought one could actually display one’s views and opinions in such a beautiful manner. – AP

- Yes, this exhibition portrays that even art can be used as a means to portray political, social and economic issues. Though, sometimes not understood immediately, the message of the paintings is noteworthy.
– EN

- I think this exhibition tells you a lot more than you want to about communication. It says a lot from the picture and the whole summary of the incident. – S

- Yes, it shows us how art can communicate and portray the thoughts, the realities of the world. – A

- Yes, the exhibition is very different. The different colours depict various feelings and emotions. – AK

- Yes when you look at the paintings – there a certain message is being conceived – forming a communication – especially in the Iraq- related paintings – one can feel their pain and grief. – GC

- Yes! I feel any art is a beautiful way to express your feelings and communicate your thoughts with others. Painting is a nice way to portrait your emotions. Though sometimes it is difficult to understand. – MG

Do you think the paintings convey the meaning effectively? Does the text help you or you think the text is not necessary?

- I feel text is necessary because any particular thing has to have , if not many, at least two facets. This is where it is necessary…to hint with painter’s perspective and a baseline to an amateur. – SS

- Most of the paintings indeed convey the meaning very effectively. Though I feel text should be there to at least confirm our interpretation. – AM

- Text does help and it is necessary to some extent but paintings are different in their own special way, they convey a lot what can’t be explained in text too. – S

- Paintings when seen without text also convey their meaning well. Text adds meaning to them. Paintings themselves are good comments. – PK

- Sometimes text is necessary because the references like ‘flaws in communism’ or the american girl who was killed in Palestine, are not well-known. It gives a whole new dimension to the painting. – AS

- Paintings convey the meaning very effectively and it makes you uneasy. Sometimes text is not necessary esp for Iraq or America but some times like ‘corporeal manipulation’ it is necessary. - S

- Text is very helpful for us to understand the painting fully.- C K

- It is something like 50-50. Some paintings need text and some do not. Like ‘street children- let them in’ - it is a confusing painting but with a great concept in the painting. – GKS

- Yes, they do convey meanings and makes you socially more and more aware global citizen. And with such a visual art, you can have your own perceptions too.- L.

- Yes the paintings convey the meaning effectively. The text does help us because sometimes we cannot figure out what the painting is trying to tell us. – TVA

- I think some paintings convey the meaning effectively without any text. Painting itself speaks but some need text. – AS

- The text does help…it is easier to understand the deeper and real meaning behind the artwork. – UB

- I think the paintings convey the meaning and text helps to convey it…text [helps in] focussing the issue or concept behind the painting. – SB

- Ya, most of them convey the meaning but sometimes text is important. - SK

- Most of the times we interpret the picture right but sometimes we relate to it with our own thoughts. Then text helps, it is necessary. - KC

- Personally I was confused about some pictures , some are very concrete. Yes the text is necessary. – GD

- Text is also important because it gives vision to see these paintings what you want to tell. Though many pictures without the text convey the meaning effectively. – YP

- In most paintings the title does half the job. If one is well versed with the issues happening around…I feel the paintings could speak for themselves. – PKC

- Text helps. – SK

- Yes they do but the text adds to it. – MD

- paintings convey the meaning but the text is equally necessary to convey the background. – G

- With the help of the text the paintings can be better deciphered. Yes and the paintings do convey the meaning. – D

- Yes. The text does give a brief hint of what the painting is all about. It helps to analyse the painting in the right direction. – MN

- The meanings are conveyed loud and clear and really make you think. The text helped better understand what the painting is about as it gave a background. It was necessary for some paintings the background of which I wasn’t aware. – SG

- I think the text is essential. Since you are trying to communicate and are just not looking for aesthetic appreciation, text can help us relate to what you are saying. – N

- Most of the paintings tell us what you are thinking of. But some are complicated, then text helps. - M

- Umm…….. the text is certainly important. Or a general guidance, background about the painting…it increases its significance. - AM

- The text is necessary only partly. The painting and the little images on the sides is what tells the true story. – HG

- Yes, of course. I do think they are able to convey the meaning effectively. I personally feel text is necessary to give a background the painting. - AP

- Some of the paintings can not be understood on mere look so I definitely feel that the text is necessary and does help us understand the painting in a new light. – EN

- Yes some of the paintings do convey the meaning effectively though for some others like ‘Kashmir’ text was necessary. - A

- The text is extremely helpful if you are not internationally conscious. The paintings convey the right message. – S

- Not really, paintings convey the meaning only to an extent. Text is necessary. – HS

- Yes, paintings manage to convey the meaning effectively but with the help of the text. The text enables you to come to know about issues not known earlier and understanding the painting better. – KYR

- yes the paintings do convey the meaning but the text assures us and helps us to think from the point of view of the painter. - H

- The paintings convey the meaning partially. The text is necessary to understand the painting. – AK

- Yes some of the paintings convey meaning effectively - with some [a few] text is necessary. – GC

- Yes, to some extent the painting conveys almost everything i.e. emotions but you still need text to understand them better. – SA

- The paintings are very effective. Make you think a lot. The text is necessary for people who may not understand a particular painting. – MG

Which paintings do you like more – political or a-political ones?

- I like ‘Iraq’ and ‘Kashmir’ a lot. They provide you the true picture which I am aware of and am directly related to. – MD

- I like ‘all we have been doing is to create walls’ – Great! It tells to do self- observation to me. – YP

- I liked ‘one day all masks will desert you’ because it is very clear. And I can relate it with my career line. It tells about the future and present situation of the electronic media. – SK

- I like ‘one day…masks..’ the most because it makes me reflect and decipher to what extent I may be putting faces just to fit in. – D

- I personally like four paintings – ‘Nandigram’, ‘Big Ben’, ‘Transience’ and ‘ ‘ one day all masks will desert you’ . About Masks I can say that today pretense had increased , we have lost our identities for god knows what! The painting explains it all. - PK

- ‘death in a village’ , ‘corporeal manipulation’ and ‘mirror, mirror on the wall’ are my most favourite paintings. ‘death in a village’ and ‘corporeal manipulation’ – both the pictures depict loneliness in life and something beyond the earthly aspects. I liked ‘mirror, mirror on the wall’ because it portrays human devotions and political and cultural borders in the same frame. – AS

- 1. One day all masks will desert you 2. Humiliation 3. Garden - PS

- I like most of your political paintings. I can’t say a particular painting I like. Most of them make me aware of problems, some make me uneasy. In your paintings I like colours, light, expressions of people. - SK

- I like ‘Kashmir’ because it conveys the scenario of today’s situation. - CPK

- ‘Street Children – Let them in’ – great concept which will make the world more beautiful if we overcome this problem.
‘ corporeal manipulation’ – it gives the message – how people are in different countries – a few are enjoying, one is crying, one is taking drugs – he belongs to a different world and the ‘Rachel Corrie’. It is a proper definition of what is life and how we live it. - GKS

- Iraq 2003 . I liked it because the composition is great! And I like he beauty of the eyes – all show different shades of the same thought. Then I liked ‘death in a village’ as the textures of the clothing are very good and the depth is also great…many others appealed to me. – LK

- I liked ‘corporeal manipulation’ the most because it makes my heart pain and go numb at looking at what people are doing to save the society and how the other groups or individuals are spoiling the society and ruining their lives. – TVA

- The paintings which I like – i] man, swan…ii] create walls…iii] street children… iv] corporeal manipulation v] 9/11.
Colours used in all these paintings are fantastic and appealing. I liked all these paintings for one single reason that the message behind it struck me at once. – SS

- ‘ in India blood is cheaper than water’. - KM

- ‘street-children – let them in’ . I like this one because I think this is today’s situation. There is need to give shelter to these children not only by social trusts and NGOs but by families. - AS

- I liked ‘humiliation’ the most as it is a very relevant part of my life as a youngster and I have not only seen it but experienced it personally. I specially like the position of the woman and the shades of blue. Also, ‘spot the beast’. I am an animal lover. - UB

- I like ‘conversation’ which is part of communication. There is not a single word but there is still a conversation between both and they understand by expression. – SB

- It is hard to define which ones I like the most. But I would prefer political ones, and in that – ‘Big Ben’ and ‘liberty statue’. – KS

- I liked ‘fortress europe’. I like the fantastic colour combination. But overall, I like all pictures. - GD

- I like ‘one day all masks will desert you’ and ‘conversation’ from the a-political ones. I liked ‘conversation’ probably because I could identify with it. And from the political – Sept 11, Big Ben and ‘let the kids in’. – PKC

- ‘for all that has happened and all that has not happened’ - SK

- I like ‘mirror, mirror on the wall’, ‘9/11- trojan horse’ and ‘Big Ben’, basically all the political ones. – G

- I like both the types of paintings. But the political ones have been well-highlighted. – SB

- ‘Hospital’ and ‘one day all masks will desert you’ – MK

- I like ‘prison’ and ‘hospital’ for they touch my heart to see and feel the unheard and innocent ignorant lot. – AM

- I liked all the paintings in general, a few particularly like ‘blood is cheaper…’ and ‘masks’ because I like ideas behind them. – SG

- My favourite is ‘blood is cheaper…’. I can feel the scarcity just by looking at the painting. – N

- I like ‘hospital’ as it portrays the loneliness of people. – AR

- ‘Iraq 2005’, ‘foundations’, ‘corporeal manipulation’. Amazingly apt. Conveys the message and brings out the feeling. - AM

- I like ‘one day all masks will desert you’. The idea has been depicted very well. ..I connect to it pretty well, I can feel what the painter is trying to say. – S

- ‘Russia – gods that failed’, ‘mirror, mirror on the wall’, ‘street children, let them in’ – HG

- I feel all the paintings are very interesting and thought-provoking. I liked all of them and it is very difficult for me to rate one that I liked the most. – AP

- ‘foundations’ – the painting that shows slavery and that it is still a practice all over. – S

- I like ‘‘man’, swan…’ but the best one is ‘death in a village’ - it tells how much better people are in city! And sometimes how helpless people are in a village! – SA

- I think ‘Sept 11 – the trojan horse’ is my favourite one. I also liked ‘humiliation’. – A

- The paintings which I liked more are – ‘the flock’, the second exodus’, ‘Iraq 2005’, ‘Kashmir’, ‘humiliation’ and ‘all we have been doing is to create walls’ – because they address issues to which I can relate. – KYR

- I guess I liked the political paintings more. I loved one painting – ‘needs, not wants’. How well have you managed to convey what poverty is! It was very touching. – H

- I like the a-political work much more. – AK

- I personally like ‘fortress europe’ , the painting titled ‘ one day all masks will desert you’ and ‘all we have been doing is to create walls’ and ‘off to work’ and also ‘the garden’. – GC

- I liked ‘conversation’, off to work’, ‘non-literates’, ‘hospital’, ‘prison’ and ‘street children’. I liked them because eventually I would like to deal with these issues one day. – MG

What do you think you can do about some of the issues raised by the paintings?

- I think the best way to go about it is to make sure we do not contribute to the issues negatively. For example, ‘foundations’ and ‘street children’ can simply make us realise not to hire minors as domestic helps in our homes. – UB

- I have already decided to work for rural development. I intend to complete my graduation and then go on to join an NGO that works for these issues. Scarcity is usually experienced in villages, I would like to tackle that. – N

- Knowledge ? Act ? Revolution is definitely the way. I would rather live in a forest, somewhere close to nature than in a city, give to street children, educate others around us. – HG

- Most of the issues are very different. You have to tackle them according to their complexity. – AP

- We being media students can do many things. But at this point and stage even if I create an awareness in myself and convey it to others I guess it will be helpful. – PK

- All the issues which are raised in these paintings are universal and I think they can’t be sorted out because of any one person’s try. The whole community or the whole world has to gather and break all the walls. Many people are fighting with their problems in daily life, and they are there with their own sets of attitudes. They have to be little more sensitive and all of us need to introspect once again regarding all these issues. – AS

- I can do many things, I can do documentary on developmental issues. I can make a set for Ganesha pandal during Ganesh festival in India. – CK

- Simple, by talking with others, coz, after all exchange of ideas is the best ‘banter system’ in the world. You don’t need to pay anything to exchange words. – GKS

- ‘In India blood is cheaper than water’ I think that we waste so much water everyday, instead of thinking how people have to walk miles for water in other parts…If we just realise it and take up a task and work together with brotherhood. Even the impossible can be possible. – TVA

- Firstly, I may hop to the next step to paint their solutions. I.e. painting, portraying solutions to the social issues. This would help me to focus on an issue. – SS

- Upto my limit I think I would like to work for an NGO. – AS

- Yes. I can do about some of the issues raised by the paintings. I can make a social ad or any participatory programme on social issues or I will do research on what is the reason behind these problems. – SB

- Most of the issues are big issues, which state the development rather the set-back to to a developmental process. Paintings help us to get to know the problem. We need to get to know the problem. We need to spread awareness at grassroots level. – SK

- As media students we can use these issues and make films, ads and other forms of audio-visual communication to convey the message. – KS

- ‘all we have been doing is to create walls’ – this tells me to bind every person not to create walls. And I will try to break all walls which come in my mind. – YP

- My personal opinion would be , everything can be changed if the initiative can be taken. – PKC

- I will try my best to create awareness in others by using some art-form. – SK

- Well, I will talk about the painting ‘Kashmir’. I am already doing something about it. – MD

- Well, I don’t know. – G

- Well, paintings are sending out a global message and are not oriented typically to something or someone. – SB

- Issues like drug addiction and street children can be tackled through spreading knowledge and caution among the various sections of the society. – MN

- I feel at the present status as a student I can write and talk about these issues to my peers so that at least there is awareness - a first step towards change. – AM

- The paintings are really inspiring, and tell you to do something. In some paintings like the street children, you could contribute something. – AR

- I love the way the paintings have raised these issues. Paintings can help us go about it too in the sense that it can spread consciousness. – S

- You can think positively and try to change the world in your own way. – S

- I think the best way to fight poverty is literacy…And it is high time that people should stand up and fight for their rights for corrupt government and unjust society. – SA

- By not acting in a way which I would not like others acting towards me, I think, I could help in some way. – KYR

- Well, I guess if nothing else, I would definitely appreciate whatever we have been blessed with and could try to be of help wherever needed. – H

- Think about them! - SA

- Put in you best [however you can] and make a difference. – MG

Any other general comments/ your impressions about Purandare’s work

- Well, this is my first visit to an exhibition and I am really amazed that people like you are present in today’s world who try to send out a global message and depict things which are true. Thank you! - SB

- Sir, you have used painting as a way of communication in a very effective way. My habit of looking at everything with blinkers on – that habit ends from this moment on. - PK

- What is good about paining these issues is that it makes you ‘sense’ the issue. When we read, we just read facts. But your painting helps us empathise with the suffering. - N

- Your vision is outstanding and the symbol and objects you use to explain them are just fabulous. - D

- I feel Purandare Sir has done an amazing job on each and every issue picked up by him is very effective. A great colour combination does the lion’s share of the job of conveying the messages.
As a person I feel he must be the one who has a great power of analysis and a heart to think for the existing suffering. Congratulations, Sir! - AM

- All portray reality and contain authentic element. Symbolic things are quite less which makes you grasp the issue easily. The idea of a thread of connectivity between two paintings also appealed to me. - SS

- Your work is excellent! Enjoyed all the paintings and made me think deeper about each issue you have covered.
Thank you! All the best for your future work and paintings! – MG

- Excellent work – all the paintings have a wonderful and touching message portrayed through them. Thank you. – GC
-
- The work is amazing, the paintings convey a lot. Communication can be done nicely through paintings also. - AK

- Today I know more about communication which is not only by words but through painting. Every frame/picture creates a different identity. So I like this exhibition. – SB

- Though most of the paintings focus on social issues, it gets too heart-wrenching at times to look at them. Even the positivity in our society should be show-cased. - UB

- I clearly understand the core subject but as it is presented in very aesthetical colour balances, that too attracts me at times. Colours and lines are my favourite forms in all arts.
Thanks a lot for an all new and refreshing experience. It made me think
again and again about these issues we come across everyday. Thank you. - L

- I loved your work, Sir. I never knew one could go to such depths through paintings. – H

- An eye-opener - KYR

- The work is great!!! I was very touched…you express human feelings so well. - SA

- The work is too good. It’s actually fabulous. The painting is a result of hard-work and maturity. – HS

- Mr Purandare’s work is fabulous and with meaning…a result of deep thought to the history and the events in the present scenario. – S

- Very beautiful. Real – eye-opening experience. – S

- This was a very nice and memorable experience. I had never been to an art exhibition before this one. Very good job done. I am very impressed indeed. - AP

- Form and Function from history and culture - Creative but not imaginary -Bold but not offensive – HG

- I think the way the theme and topic are chosen by the artist to make an awareness about social issues is very much appealing to me. – CRK

- I like your style of painting, your understanding about the problem. Easy to communicate that. I think Mr Purandare has developed a new style of exhibition with the pamphlet. It makes us more comfortable. - SK

- Great work! – S

- The paintings political issues are very nicely portrayed. Social issues were good too. Great feeling and thought! Thank you. – AM

- Brilliant work!! - PK

- All the paintings succeed in communicating their meanings vividly and clearly. The colour scheme, the focus and even silhouettes are clearly planned and defined which add to their beauty. – MN

- It is an eye-opener. The word is amazing. – MD

- Great! Every picture is more effective than a 10 minute documentary. Colours, balance of pictures and meaning behind every picture are too good. I saw this type of exhibition for the first time in my life. – YP

- Really a good perspective of the problems in the world. We have never seen them in this way. But what about the solutions to the problems? Try to show a cure for the problem or a good hope against the problem. – KS

- It is brilliant work. Less colours, more message. - SYK

- I like ‘Solitary Reaper’. It has deep meaning. Life is vast but you have to fight alone. I like all the paintings. - AS

- I liked the work. Though most of the paintings focus on social issues we are unaware what the society is going through. We don’t take note of this because we don’t have time. But by looking at the paintings I have got an idea and picture in my mind how society is getting ruined. – TVA

- Nice way of communication, the impression I got is something like – sadness, pain, cries, the darker side of the world. Something negative but it is hidden for normal human-beings to observe. Something people should give thought to help the mankind. – GKS

- Loved it! Admired it! It is a perfect memory to channelise my thinking. - PKC

- Thank you….Purandare Sir! - GK