Upcoming Kangra Miniature Exhibition
Romania is set to be stunned by the beauty of Kangra miniature paintings thanks to an upcoming collaboration between the Indian Embassy located in Bucharest, Romania and the Kangra Arts Promotion Society (KAPS).
The former has invited KAPS to host an exhibition of the Kangra miniature paintings at the Dimitrie Gusti National Village Museum. This exhibition, albeit in its planning stages might be scheduled for June 5 to June 15.
Akshay Runchal Comments
Dr Akshay Runchal (President, KAPS) is ecstatic as this collaboration signifies the society’s inaugural international exhibition. He is dismayed by the fact that the art form, despite its rich history, has witnessed a decrease in practitioners in its original area of Kangra. However, he remains optimistic that this exhibition will spark an interest in the art style, not just in Romania, but worldwide.
KAPS has been diligently engaged in promoting and safeguarding this art form. To this measure, they have established an art gallery in McLeodganj to support contemporary Kangra Miniature artists.
What are Kangra Miniature Paintings?
Kangra miniatures are a part of the larger Pahari painting tradition, which thrived during the 17th and 18th centuries. But what sets this art style apart from the others? These artworks are known for their distinct brushwork, realistic everyday themes, and bright natural dyes and colours– sourced from rocks, minerals, and vegetables.
Even though the Pahari painting tradition began very early, it only gained international visibility in the 1990s when Zurich’s Rietberg Museum hosted the ‘Pahari Masters’ exhibition. Researchers like BN Goswamy and Eberhard Fischer have played a pivotal role in its revival through scholarly publications. With this recognition, the demand for these paintings skyrocketed, fetching record sales at global auctions.
For instance, a Basohli-style painting titled ‘Rasamanjari’ was sold at London’s Sotheby’s auction for £140,000 (₹74 lakh). In other news, a Basohli depiction of Devi and the sage Chyavan fetched ₹1 crore, bought by Washington’s Freer Gallery. Additionally, a Mandi-style artwork illustrating Krishna subduing the serpent Kaliya commanded Rs 6 crore.
Kangra and Guler paintings, which are closely associated with the Pahari style, have also fetched significant amounts. Last year, two Guler miniature paintings went under the hammer at an auction in Mumbai—one, created by the renowned 18th-century artist Nainsukh, depicted Raja Balwant Dev’s musical gathering and sold for Rs 15 crore.
The other, by an unknown descendant of Nainsukh, illustrated a verse from poet Jayadeva and attracted a sale price of Rs 16 crore.
Image Courtesy – Drishti IAS
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