India won independence in 1947. In the following year, it also held its first ever comprehensive art exhibition. Free India’s first Indian art exhibition took place in the halls of Government House in Rashtrapati Bhavan, New Delhi.
Emperor Jahangir, the fourth ruler of the Mughal Empire, left an indelible mark not only on the political and cultural landscape of his time but also on the realm of art. Jahangir’s deep fascination for the natural world, coupled with his scientific curiosity, led to an unmistakable naturalistic influence on Mughal Miniature painting.
Renowned sculptor K.S. Radhakrishnan, a pioneer in the resurgence of Indian sculpture, is set to be celebrated through his first-ever retrospective exhibition. This exhibition has been curated by the distinguished art historian Prof. R. Siva Kumar, and will display the artist’s work from four decades of his life. It is being held at the Centre for Contemporary Art, Bikaner House, from November 19 to December 14, 2023.
The diverse schools of Miniature painting all have certain characteristics that define their distinctive styles.
Floor art and mathematics: what’s the connection? While many folk art forms make use of geometrical patterns and motifs, the kolam takes it a step further. Read on to discover the practical applications of this ancient decorative art form.
Some love stories transcend the boundaries of time. They are immortalised through the memory of other people and become legends. While stories like Sohni-Mahiwal and Heer-Ranjha originated as folk tales, others, like the tale of Nala-Damayanti, find a basis in mythology.
As society changes, so do its values and perceptions of art. Art is a reflection of the socio-political state of a region and the mentality of its people. During war, we seek peace, and during boredom, we seek excitement. Art trends change like the tides, and what is popular today may be infamous tomorrow. Some art, however, can be timeless; it ceases to be a fad and becomes a movement.
Scheduled to open its doors in February 2024, Hampi Art Labs stands as a testament to the convergence of contemporary art, heritage, and nature. Nestled near the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Hampi, this 18-acre arts centre is set to become a cultural landmark, offering a unique space for artistic expression and collaboration.
The word ‘patta’ means cloth, and pattachitra means ‘pictures on cloth’. Pattachitra is practised in Orissa and West Bengal. However, there are marked differences between the two. The Pattachitra of Bengal has a distinct and easily recognisable style that has continued to captivate the hearts of art lovers. Let’s take a look at Bengal Pattachitra and the art of Patua Scroll painting.
The picturesque blue city of Jodhpur emerged as one of the most prominent centres of Rajasthani Miniature painting. A new style of court painting developed here. This school was active during the seventeenth and nineteenth centuries, and its style was heavily inspired by Mughal Miniature painting.
