Samanvay- Celebrating India’s timeless art traditions
Art has been practised by humankind before we became agriculturalists and began to live our lives in complex social settings. Art was used as a means of expression, a way to continue our legacy and pass our knowledge to our future generations. Developing through generations, the arts have become an integral part of the social, religious and cultural life of the people in our country as well. There are over 300 documented traditional arts and crafts, and over 3000 that are known but not documented by mainstream society.
Visual arts in India can be broadly classified into utilitarian, religious or educational, although most cannot be categorised into simply one category. The earliest of these visual arts can be traced back to the tribal paintings such as Warli, Gond, Bhil, Sohrai, Saura, Pithora, which were practised by the tribal societies to ward off evil and protect them, to wish for healthy offsprings and prosperity, as well as to revere their ancestors and deities. As the societies became more complex, they gave rise to new styles of visual arts such as Madhubani and Kerala Mural which became intertwined with religion and philosophy.
India, the melting pot of cultures, also absorbed elements from different cultures, to give rise to new styles such as Rogan, Kashmiri Paper Mache, which even though did not originate in our country, eventually became an integral part of our society and culture.
Visual arts were not limited to paintings on different mediums but also included various forms of pottery, such as the Molela plaques, woodwork such as wood carving and inlays, metalwork such as Dhokra and Thewa, and masks made out of wood, metal, and paper mache for various purposes.
Each work displayed has been meticulously created by 50+ award-winning artists. The artworks not only highlight the artists’ artistic excellence but also narrate stories about mythology, folklore and nature.
Through this exhibition, we invite you to immerse yourself in the beauty of the indigenous and traditional arts of India, a testament to India’s cultural heritage.