Modern palette

Manpriya Singh

Strong convictions, noble cause and questioning attitude. In the world of art, put together, it makes for modernism as much as history. Calling out all the art lovers, students, researchers, historians, critics; calling anybody even remotely connected (or concerned) with art for a close brush with 40 works credited for contributing to the history of modern Indian art.

Chandigarh Lalit Kala Akademi in collaboration with Lalit Kala Akademi, Delhi (National Academy of Art) presents a rare exhibition of masterpieces of Indian art.

Sense & sensibility

Most of the works have been attempted in monochromes and grey palette, with only a few works in bright hues. “These artists have battled the gloom of Partition and euphoria of Independence at the same time. All these emotions reflect in their rich works. No wonder, they were not just artists but thinkers,” shares Diwan Manna, chairperson, Chandigarh Lalit Kala Akademi.

He adds, “Most of them went abroad to pursue higher studies in art, therefore their works have a strong modernist element but with a deep-rooted Indian sensibility.” He adds, “These works are also an attempt to break away from the existing schools of art, for instance miniature works and Bengal school of art. This was the time when they were constructing their own grammar while keeping things deep-rooted in Indian sensibilities.”

At the beginning is Akbar Padamsee’s oil on canvas work titled Two Figures. The faces perhaps reflect the monotony of tumultuous times in monochrome. Ram Kumar’s Varanasi depicts the famous and often attempted ghats in a never before way, sans the bright hues associated with the place. N.S. Bendre’s Bangali Lady, an abstract form of a lady draped in a saree, can be interpreted as both calming and complex.

While Gulammohammed Sheikh’s Apparition is as dark as thought provoking. Raghav Kaneria’s bronze sculpture Calf is both delightful and symbolic, depicting the object in movement. While Rajnikant R Panchal’s work in bronze titled Tonga captures the beauty of one while ridden by a man. As rightly pointed out, the works need a little conversation with the canvas, a few thoughts to grow on you.

Rewinding the past

Sometimes the significant work, sometimes the significant artist, most of the times both, lead up to the post Independence developments of Indian art. While the exhibition has been curated by M Ramachandran in the memory of illustrator, writer, critic and architect MV Devan, the collection also comprises paintings, sculptures, prints and drawings by Tyeb Mehta, F N Souza, A Ramachandaran, Bhupen Khakhar, Arpita Singh, J Swaminathan, Sailoj Mukherjee, Rajendar Tiku, V Viswanathan, Somenath Hore, Nasreen Mohamedi, K K Hebbar, K G Subramanyan, Krishern Khanna, Latika Katt, Bikash Bhattacharjee, Dhanraj Bhagat, K Laxma Goud among others.

“The exhibition is conceived to project the modern Indian sensibility evolved by the early 60s and 70s with some representative works of art by the influential personalities of India art.” Modern art with an element of history!

manpriya@tribunemail.com

On till July 26 at Government Museum and Art Gallery—10, Chandigarh