Art institutions world over keenly watching contemporary Indian art

India is experiencing dramatic socio-political transformation alongside remarkable economic growth. With a keen eye on the country’s past and an informed view to the future, the new-generation artists are responding to these changes, as they look to examine their social, political, economic and religious implications.

Their work often revolves around the outwardly stable economic and social situation that has brought India into international spotlight, at one level, even while capturing the travails of the common people– a byproduct of skewed progress, at another level. Impressed by the depth and maturity of their expressions, several prestigious museums now prominently display Indian art.

Here are a few instances:

• The Museum of Fine Arts (MFA) houses preeminent collections of world art, including one of the most encyclopedic collections of Indian art in the US. Stretching its rich collection to the present era, the museum also hosted ‘Bharat Ratna’ (Jewel of India), a collection drawn from Mr. and Mrs. Rajiv Jahangir Chaudhri.
  
  
• The Museum of Contemporary Art (MoCA) based in Shanghai hosted a milestone exhibition, entitled ‘India Xianzai’ a couple of year ago. It was a ‘timely investigation of the increasing presence of contemporary Indian art in Asia, and the encounter between what really constitutes Indianness in the context of today’s art and 'global' community.
  
  
• Massachusetts based Peabody Essex Museum (PEM) has established a unique international position as the possessor of a comprehensive collection that showcases both breadth and depth of stupendous Indian artistic achievement. It presents solo and group shows of modern & contemporary artists, insightful publications, and programs towards engendering appreciation of Indian art and culture.

The trend is largely being driven by immense curiosity among aware art lovers to explore India’s astonishing transition from a humble agrarian economy to an economic superpower with complex socio-political connotations as seen through the eyes of premier artists.

Their work reflects the real India, traversing pre-conceived notions and leading to a greater understanding of the depth and diversity of the country’s rich culture, new-found spirit and dynamic way of living, which is unique, yet universal even in its Indianness.

The growing presence of Indian art internationally can be attributed to its new-generation artists, who respond to the country’s socio-political, economic transformation and its implications.