With his latest exhibition Chirag Bangdel has expanded his horizons. An artist, writer and a poet, he has nine solo exhibitions under his belt, has published two collections of poems and his third is soon to be published. Multifaceted, he is also an RJ, whose voice is heard over Image FM.

Lain Singh Bangdel was obviously your biggest inspiration. Tell us about him.

I grew up in Darjeeling and it was only when I finished my school final that I got to spend time with my great uncle, Lain Singh Bangdel. When I was a child, I used to be amazed with his abstracts. People used to say only artists understood such paintings while I was in school. I knew that he was a famous artist. He used to talk about meeting Picasso and Braque. It was through him that I realized that art is beyond partying and creating and is in fact, a lifestyle. I loved the way he used to live his life and the way he was treated in society with so much respect. He not only taught me painting, he also taught me how to live. He literally lived for the arts, literature and art history.

What does art mean to you?

Art is a lifestyle. It is the way you live and see things. You have an artistic perception to everything you see around you. I started off as a figurative painter and used to call myself a "painter" and later I moved on to taking photos and made short films. I then called myself a "visual artist". I now want to go beyond that, so, now I call myself just an “artist.

What is Tattva?

These works are a mixture of symbolic, abstract and semi abstract compositions. The first series was exhibited in Kathmandu in 2004. Chautara Gallery in the Netherlands has acquired fifteen of the new works created in this genre. With my 9th solo exhibition held at the Art Shop, I have done further experimentation in this style. I create for the joy of the process and these works are nothing but the results. These works are just compositions, and if they create a special feeling that cannot be talked about or written about, then I feel I have been a successful artist. Tattva means substance. But Tattva also refers to the main essence of the reason for the creation of this universe. It's an abstract term - as abstract as my search for my artistic bliss. I have no idea what I am searching for and yet I search. I was born a Hindu, but I have always had a fascination for Buddhism. Observing prayer flags fluttering over landscapes is such a spiritual and peaceful experience, but a prayer flag itself carries a deep sense of mystery, which is why I have used prayer flags in my new works. And prayer flags are found in five colors to represent Pancha Tattva, or the five elements that we are made up of.