Cricket and Art
Archana Bahl Sapra

The project, a marriage between sport and art- both creative in their own different
ways has been quite a unique collaboration. Artists here have played games with their
emotions, dreams, fears and experiences while giving expression to their thoughts and
concerns. Artists and players representing different schools of art and thought have
come together in this project and the artists have so beautifully turned their lines,
forms, colours and materials into playing fields. The exhibition celebrates the diverse
and vibrant spirit of the Delhi Daredevils and the unique collection reflects the artists’
creative impulses and styles on the specially made larger-sized (about 5ft high) bats. To
create a wide public connect, these bat installations were displayed at various venues
including at the Marquee in Feroz Shah Kotla when the team played its home games,
at the Rajiv Chowk metro station, Square Mall, Chawla Art gallery and at the T3 at the
airport. The idea was to make this exhibition popular and to reach a wider audience.
Seema Kohli, for whom myth is relevant in today’s day and age, Krishna
is not prepared to stay behind when talking about games and cricket.
The logo is given in the hands of Krishna as a sign of victory to Delhi
Daredevils and with his right leg forward, raised much in accordance with
the Daredevils style of cricket. Satish Gupta in his work titled ‘Buddha in
Cricket’ plays with the primal colours that represent air, water, earth, fire
and space to create a perfect balance. Fire ‘Uchita’, is seen rising from the
ball that depicts the wisdom. Energy emanates from Lord Buddha’s crown,
cleverly linking it with the Delhi Daredevils. In his Zen spirit, the artist
illustrates that playing the game in its true spirit and in one’s full being is as
pure and spiritual as going to a temple and praying.