On a canvas, right in the midst of fecund village fields and Egyptian ruins, a languorous Cleopatra reclined with a veena in her hand. This Indian interpretation of Egypt’s famous queen was done by Modern School students, to commemorate 60 years of Indo-Egyptian ties. Held at the Egyptian embassy in Delhi, the country’s ambassador to India Dr Mohamed Higazy did not expect a particularly large turnout. But he was pleasantly surprised by the enthusiasm, and the works. For Higazy, the lusty work in powder paints presented the whole spectrum of Egyptian art. “I can spot a Hathor, the Egyptian Goddess of beauty and even Ra which shows the depth of work.” Among the many Cleopatras, the most remarkable was a one-eyed portrait of the high-handed Queen, tempered with a touch of ochre. Also present on the occasion was Delhi Mayor, Arti Mehra. “Clearly if children are given exposure they can hone their talent,” opined Mehra.
