The Twin Cities has been playing host to two individuals viisitng as Fulbright scholars - Tejendra Singh Baoni and Dr. K. R. Usha.

Sponsored by the United States Department of State, Fulbright provides funds for students, scholars and professionals to undertake graduate study, advanced research, university teaching, and teaching in elementary and secondary schools. Established in 1946, the Fulbright Program aims to increase mutual understanding between the peoples of the United States and other countries, through the exchange of persons, knowledge and skills. The Fulbright Program supports educational exchanges that strengthen understanding and communication between the United States and over 140 countries. The Twin Cities has been playing host to two individuals viisitng as Fulbright scholars - Tejendra Singh Baoni and Dr. K. R. Usha.

The University of Minnesota's Regis Center for Arts hosted an exhibition 'Journey With Clouds' by sculptor Tejendra Singh Baoni from February 9-19. Tejendra is currently a visiting Fulbright scholar at the University and is affiliated with its Sculpture Department. All works displayed at the exhibition were created in Minnesota.

Tejendra works are featured in prestigious galleries including the Herbert Read Art Gallery, Canterbury, the Zen Collection of Arts in Singapore, and the National Gallery of Modern Art in New Delhi. Tejendra is currently Professor in Sculpture and Head of Academics at the Chitrakala Institute of Advanced Studies, Karnataka Chitrakala Parishad, Bangalore.

'Journey With Clouds' is a collection of 13 sculptures that are, as the name suggests, inspired by nature. The central theme running through them is the interplay of lightning, clouds, thunder and clear sky. The lightning bolt streaking through each, the violence of twisted and cleft metal that forms the clouds, and the empty space in each work dramatically evoke the scene of a thunderstorm, with a rainbow motif appearing in some sculptures.

Also featured is a two-part work on 'Dancers', one in aluminum and the other in bronze. These are explorations of form emphasizing the cohesion of dance, with several thin dancing figures seemingly conjoined together and stressing the effect of the whole.

While Tejendra misses his family and cannot wait to get back home, he does value the experience he has gained. He has met many local artists in the community and in academia. He has learnt immensely from the work culture that integrates from artistic techniques from around the world and innovates to give it a new form. He has already set up avenues for future collaboration with many local artists through exchange programs and visits. We wish Tejendra well.

Dr. K. R. Usha, has been active in experimental Tamil theatre, as actress for more than fifteen years. Her experience in theatre includes both street theatre and the proscenium. She has been directing plays since 1997 and has conducted many theatre workshops. In 2001 she was sent by the Max Mueller Bhavan, Chennai, to Germany for two months (November-December) on a scholarship to study German theatre and cinema along with a German language course.

Endless Pathways is an original play written in Indian English by K. R. Usha. Versions were performed at the zonal workshop of the National School of Drama, New Delhi, Tanjavur, and at the British Council, Chennai on September 29, 2000 Silences is a one-woman play on incestual abuse inspired by true stories of surivivors.

Usha will present parts of her work to a variety of audiences in the Twin Cities. She has already collaborated with many in a variety of formats - dance, theater, poetry and film. She misses her family and recognizes the bonds that are built over years of knowing each other. And yet, she has formed bonds across various artist groups as well as members of the local American, South Asian and international communities. We hope to hear more about Usha’s work in the coming years.