"Modern Art of India - India 25" opened in Russia

Moscow, May 23 (UNI) In a first major display of Indian modern art in Russia, an exhibition titled "Modern Art of India - India 25" was opened here.

"Modern Art of India - India 25,", which opened yesterday is dedicated to the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations established between Russia and India. The display includes paintings, drawings, sculpture, photos and video installations by 25 contemporary Indian artists.

This exhibition is the first major display of Indian modern art in Russia, organised as part of the broader cultural dialog between the two nations. Its purpose is to give the Russian public an idea of Indian art created in the past several decades and to show modern trends in Indian society, Ria Novosti reports.

Although differing in terms of creative expression, all the artists have a shared interest in India's cultural identity and uniqueness. In their work they seek to blend ancient Indian philosophical and artistic traditions with modern creative trends.

A major part of the exhibition is devoted to Indian abstract art, with many works based on new renditions of ancient yantras - the ritual diagrams of Tantric initiation and empowerment. That part of the exhibition includes paintings by Bhawani Katoch, Akhitam Narayanan, Vishwanadhan Velu, Sayed Haider Raza, Rajinder Dhawan and Bruta Shobha.

Another feature is figurative paintings by contemporary artists, such as Arpana Kaur, Dharmenra Rathor and Murali Nagapooja. These are done in the form of Indian miniatures, with their traditional bright colours, penchant for detail and interesting plots. Works by Madhu Basu and Yusuf Arakal are reminiscent of ancient Indian monumental frescos.

Baba Anand offers an ironic interpretation of Bollywood film posters, American Pop Art, and Indian folk paintings of gods.

Photo artists Shanta Rao and Debesh Goswami - captivated by the human body, one of the central subjects in contemporary art - offer original forms of perception and portrayal.

The exhibition represents an important trend in contemporary Indian art: the active involvement of women in the artistic process.

Female Indian artists whose works are featured in the exhibition include Shanta Rao, Sarab Sohni, Arpana Kaur, Sangitas Gupta and Bruta Shobha.

Each of the exhibits is described in the catalogue "India 25" published in both Russian and English shortly before the opening of the Moscow exhibition. It also contains the letters of Kanwal Sibal, Indian Ambassador to Russia and Zurab Tsereteli, President of the Russian Academy of Arts.

"While European and American audiences are increasingly familiar with Indian contemporary art, this is not the case with Russia", Kanwal Sibal said at the opening of the exhibition. He opined that "it was time, therefore, to hold such an exhibition in Moscow as part of a larger cultural dialogue between our peoples." "Many here and elsewhere still see India in traditional terms.

But a lot is happening in India that is exciting and not only in IT sector! If art mirrors society, then this exhibition gives an insight into the modernizing trends in contemporary Indian society", said Indian Ambassador.

"I hope that the exhibition will serve as an impetus for the further development of Indian-Russian cultural ties, will present to the Russian audience Indian contemporary art full of new ideas and notable for its original style and influence of ancient India", Zurab Tsereteli said while expressing his opinion.

The exhibition is a joint project of the Russian Academy of Arts, the Moscow Municipal Committee on Culture and the Moscow Museum of Modern Art, with assistance of the Jawaharlal Nehru Cultural Centre at the Indian Embassy in Moscow.

The exhibition is open between May 22 and June 17, 2007 at the Zurab Tsereteli Art Gallery.

UNI