Posted at: Sep 15, 2017, 12:39 AM; last updated: Sep 15, 2017, 12:39 AM (IST)
Are you ready to witness artworks by MF Husain, Sohan Qadri, SH Raza and Rabindranath Tagore all under one roof? Yes? Then head straight to the Punjab Kala Bhawan, where India Modern, an exhibition that showcases narratives from the 20th century Indian art, opens its doors to the public
Manpriya Singh
Diwan Manna
Over 10 masons and carpenters have been at work for the past 10 days, giving finishing touches to Sobha Singh Art Gallery at Punjab Kala Bhawan.Not that the previous state of interiors wasn’t good enough, it’s just that it wasn’t perfect enough. For what? Well, to host some of the compelling names that stand synonymous with modern Indian art. Punjab Lalit Kala Akademi, in collaboration with DAG Modern, presents India Modern, an exhibition that brings to the viewers, narratives from 20th century Indian art.The captions, art-works, lightings have just been put in place as we take a look at some of the treasured art works (57 to be precise) by some of the celebrated names (as many as 41 of them). MF Husain, Sohan Qadri, SH Raza, Rabindranath Tagore…you name it. “It is one of the rare exhibitions to have come to the city. The architect from Delhi Art Gallery came and took a look at the premises and wanted to have the gallery refurbished before curating the show, keeping in mind the venue and the city,” shares Diwan Manna, president, Punjab Lalit Kala Akademi.What is modern Indian art?As a part of the inauguration, there is a lecture on Indian modernism by poet and art critic Ashok Vajpeyi wherein he tells the audience about several movements of modern Indian art. Think Bombay progressives, modernists from Bengal, innovators from the art centers of Vadodra, Mumbai and New Delhi.The ‘Indian’ modern art movement is broadly seen to have begun in the late 19th and early 20th century. This was the time when Western style academic art was practiced in colonial art schools. The Indian artists wished to create a new modern art that took cognizance of their unique Indian reality, traditional art forms and their place in a new world order. Indian Modern presents this journey that comprises maverick Indian modernists.Wonderful worksProbably more than the names in the title, it is the background of each work that merits a mention. It’s the thought that counts. For instance in Sunil Das’ untitled oil on canvas work, which depicts a woman with full lips and shadowed eyes. The artist has painted a series of portraits of prostitutes in Kolkata’s red light district, Sonagachi, intent on capturing their lushness as well as cloak of danger; of women trespassing on the wrong side of morality, but unable to escape. There is no dearth of works that capture women. Satish Sinha’s untitled oil on canvas work shows a mother and her child. Maternal affection is a popular theme among artists of the same period. Moving on to Theorem II by MF Husain from the early 70s, a time when he flirted with theorems, finding expressions in geometrical theorems.Big namesThe city may have hosted Sohan Qadri’s works a couple of months ago, but here again two of his works find a place — a work in ink and dye on handmade paper that reflects his love for yoga. Master abstractionist Rajendra Dhawan’s untitled work depicts several layers of different shades in soft colours.Then there’s Ambadas, whose love for geological themes is once again reflected in his untitled oil on canvas work that’s come to the city. The list of artists, their works; the background of each of the works has just begun. Some of the other names include, F. N. Souza, Ram Kumar, K. H. Ara, Krishen Khanna, S. H. Raza, Jyoti Bhatt, Jeram Patel, Eric Bowen, J. Swaminathan, Himmat Shah, Nandalal Bose, Gopal Ghose. There are also sculptures by Dhanraj Bhagat, Prodosh Das Gupta and Sankho Chaudhuri. It’s city’s date with modern Indian art.
(The exhibition is on view till October 7)
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