Art Aside

Serpent heads in the backdrop of a monotone representation has Shiva sitting in the foreground consuming poison to save the world from their fumes. This Nandalal Bose work has the deity in a posture that is serene yet cautious. One of the 75 works in the exhibition “Manifestations IX”,this has Bose using the Japanese wash tradition,made popular among 20th century Bengal masters by Japanese art critic Kakuzo Okakura,who taught Abanindranath Tagore. “It is one of Bose’s largest works,” says project editor Kishore Singh.

The exhibition at Delhi Art Gallery comprises several other notable works of artists spanning two centuries,from 19th century early Bengal oil and gold on canvas and Raja Ravi Varma School’s portrait of a priest to a 2005 Gieve Patel acrylic,Ship Building in Mumbai. Other stalwarts who feature in the collection include Somnath Hore,Chittaprosad,Ram Kumar,KS Kulkarni,KH Ara,Tyeb Mehta and Jamini Roy. An accompanying book tells the tale behind each work and gives a brief profile of the artists. Culled from the gallery collection,there are some works that give an insight into the early years of the artists as well. “The aim is either to get the best of the representative style the artist is known for or something completely divergent,” says Singh.

The exhibition is on at Delhi Art Gallery,11,Hauz Khas Village,till June 25. Contact: 46005300