‘Adbhutam – rasa in Indian art’

Kolkata-based CIMA Gallery had previously taken a show to London, entitled ‘Chamatkara: Myth & Magic in Indian Art’. It was probably for the first time that an exhibition presented art-historical perspective to contemporary Indian Art, exploring its roots and revealed its connections.

‘Chamatkara’ offered an element of surprise to viewers in London, attracting almost 36,000 visitors in 18 days. The idea of Chamatkara – Myth & Magic of Indian Art and Adbhutam – rasa in Indian art emerged from the Hindu classical theory of the rasas (sensory experience), of reality being experienced through sight, taste, smell and perception. Reality was understood to be illusive.

The series resurfaces in another context with another thematic exhibition based on this concept. An accompanying note states: “The show is daring in the current scenario because it concentrates on the relevance and the politics of the art of making and the enormous legacy of philosophical thought, mythical thinking (the original conceptual art) and fine art practice that contemporary Indian art is based on...”

The group exhibition features works by talented artists like Abir Karmakar, Arjun Swaminathan, Arpita Singh, Baiju Parthan, Bandeep Singh, Chintan Upadhyay, Clare Arni, Ganesh Pyne, Gigi Scaria, Jagdish Swaminathan, Jogen Chowdhury, K G Subramanyan, Kingshuk Sarkar, Kristine Michael, Madhu and Hazra Chitrakar.

Among the other participating artists are Manisha Jha, Mayank Kumar Shyam, Nandini Chirmar, Prabhakar Kolte, Rajan Krishnan, Ravinder Reddy, S Nadagopal, S H Raza, Sanam CN, Shreyasi Chatterjee, Sumedh Rajendran, Sumitro Basak, Surekha, Thota Vaikuntam, Tarun Jung Rawat, Thota Tharani, Uday K Dhar, V S Gaitonde, Viren Tanwar and Roul Hemanta.

The unconventional subject is bound to attract viewers. Each artist has tackled the theme from a unique perspective, to give a compelling visual treat. ‘Adbhutam – rasa in Indian art’ has opened at the gallery’s Kolkata venue on 2 December and will travel to New Delhi in January 2012. The show is indeed a must watch…