Past Perfect

Apart from Anand,a lot of credit for the never-before exhibition goes to Yamini Telkar,former employee of Saffronart,India’s biggest online auction house,and now an independent curator and art advisor. Telkar played an important part in bringing together the works of these famed artists. “I’ve been working on this project since 2008. The title of the show talks of the continuity because though the Progressives existed as a group for just three years their individual journeys were so fascinating that we have traced each of them backward — from the work to its origin in the past,”says Telkar.

Writer and critic Yashodra Dalmia,who had curated an exhibition in 1996,featuring the Progressives and their associates,for the opening of the new National Gallery of Modern Art (NGMA),has written an essay that will appear in the 332-page book to be released at the opening. “This show focuses on the strength of the Progressives,particularly Souza,and explores the dynamics of a group that was at the fore-front of art practices for five decades,” says Dalmia.

Souza,Raza and Husain,who were arguably the frontrunners of the group,are among the highest selling artists in the contemporary art world. In fact,Raza’s painting Saurashtra sold at a whopping Rs 16 crore at the Christie’s Auction House in a London sale last year. “We are taking the risk to show Husain but we shall ensure that only his non-controversial works are featured,” says Anand.

Among the other artists,KH Ara was known for his Dalit leanings in the first half of his career,before he went on to distinguish himself as an artist with a distinct sensitivity towards his subjects. His gentle approach was often contrasted to Souza’s savage and incisive lines,that captured the dark,violent nature of mankind. Raza,who has finally made the move back from Paris to India is very excited about the exhibition. “It’s a warm welcome,to be remembered like this. It’s wonderful to be on home soil and enjoy not just my own work but the works of my fellow artists,” says the 88-year-old.

Bakre spent much of his life in London and as a consequence his work is not as well known in India. His homecoming in 2006 was marred by illness and ultimately,his untimely death in 2007,aged 87 years old. His estate still remains under lock-and-key in Ratnagiri,making this the first occasion when his works will be on display in the Capital. Likewise,not much is known about the reclusive Gade,who faded from the art scene after the group broke up. “Gade did his best works when he was part of the Progressives. Bakre was a good sculptor,but his chequered history prevented him from rising to the stature that he could have,” observes Dalmia.

For the duration of the exhibition,there will be films screenings on the Progressives,as well as lectures and panel discussions.