An exhibition of Gond paintings; Kalighat patuas; Kalamkari; Madhubani paintings; Mata-ni-Pachedi paintings on cloth; Pichwai paintings; Theyyam masks; and Warli paintings
Artists: Rajendra Kumar Shyam, Santosh Shyam Moti, Manoj Tekkam (Gond); Shanwar Chitrakar (Kalighat); Gurappa Chetty, Harinath N. (Kalamkari); Baua Devi, Ajit Kumar Jha, Chandrakala Devi, Avinash Karn, Shalini Karn (Madhubani); Sanjay Manubhai Chitara (Mata-ni-Pachedi); Karan Pichwai, Manish Soni & group, Karan Singh Rajput (Pichwai); Prasanth A.V. (Theyyam mask); and Amit Mahadev Dombhare, Sunil Khadpada, Sarita Suresh Banjara (Warli)
Curator: Meena Varma
The folk art and handicrafts of India are as diverse as the culture of the subcontinent. The Indian way of life is replete with products created with the aid of simple, indigenous tools by craftspeople who belong within a strong fabric of tradition, aesthetic and artistry. Each state has an abundance of traditional forms of art and crafts that have been passed on from one generation to the next and helped them sustain a living - Madhubani in Bihar, Kalamkari in Andhra Pradesh, Mata ni pachedi in Gujarat, Warli painting in Maharashtra, and Kalighat paintings and scrolls from West Bengal, to name a few.
While some artisans have adhered to age-old techniques and ideas, others have attempted to adapt to the changing times by imbibing contemporary themes and language. They derive their inspiration, innate wisdom, and skill not from books but from nature and their surroundings. Their art reflects the immense creativity of ordinary people and their quest for self-expression and fulfillment. These traditions that have continued undisturbed over the centuries have had to face the realities of rapid change brought about the inexorable forces of communication and globalization. However, India is still very creative in its villages, with the youth exposed to the art of making and transforming materials and spaces by the act of creation on a daily basis. Wall paintings and decorations are an everyday art in many parts of the country and each uses fascinating local variants to tell beautiful stories or to capture symbols of fertility and good will. Over time, folk and tribal art and craft has become an effective vehicle for self-development and for sustainable employment generation for much of our population living in difficult economic conditions.
However, over the last decade, it is heartening to see renewed interest in our traditional art practices by art lovers, resulting in increased patronage for our gifted artists, thereby giving them the economic sustainability to continue with their art. It is in these art traditions that the spirit of India resides.
