By Georgina Maddox
The Astra-Guru Auction is a gorgeous display of rare works from private collections that have not been available for public viewing for many years. One may argue auction previews are almost museum spaces.
Krishen Khanna’s Retired Captain Ramesh Kumar Accordion Wale
As one enters the preview of the oncoming Astra Guru auction at Travancore Palace one is immediately made aware of the giant band-wala sculpture by Modern artist Krishen Khanna that sits on the porch of the stately building, welcoming viewers into the halls where the other artworks are displayed. Khanna’s collaborative sculpture is titled Retired Captain Ramesh Kumar Accordion Wale and stands at 98 x 76 x 66 in (249 x 193 x 168 cm) made in ‘resinated’ fibreglass with automotive paint. It is signed on the reverse and has been offered up for auction starting at Rs 40,00,000 – Rs 60,00,000 ( $ 49,383 – 74,074) and its provenance has been cited as ‘property from a collection based in New Delhi’.
About this work, Khanna writes, “I am moved by Chaplinesque situations which involve dual emotions. The Bandwallas turn into areas of colour and have little correspondence with those who instigated them. Their cacophony too turns into a clash of colours, which I think is more coherent to the senses. It follows that my subject matter is important to me and is not fortuitous.”
Thomas Daniell’s Cricket Match in India
Another work that catches one’s attention is a comparatively smaller painting titled, Cricket Match In India. An Oil on Canvas, dated 1792, is valued at Rs 7,00,00,000 – 9,00,00,000 ($ 864,198 – 1,111,111). One becomes aware that one is not just looking at a work of art but a piece of history. By the time of Daniell’s visit in 1792-93, Madras (Chennai) had not only emerged as a lucrative hub for trade but had also become a cultural melting pot. This cosmopolitan environment also inspired artists like Thomas Daniell, who found ample subjects for their work in the region’s architectural marvels, bustling markets and serene landscapes.
This particular work depicts a cricket match, set against the lush greenery. In the foreground, players are engaged in the game. The fielders are dressed in coloured trousers and the scorer sits casually off to the side. A cow leisurely wanders in the foreground of the field, while to the left, near a cluster of trees, stands a tent that likely served as the pavilion. The expansive sky, rendered in subtle shades, provides an atmospheric backdrop that is quintessentially Daniell. These details not only showcase the artist’s mastery but also document, the cultural and recreational aspects of British colonial life in India.
K H Ara’s AstaGuru Masterpiece
Going through the other works one spots a very rare work K H Ara. Known for his nudes, this is a factory landscape, done in bright colours and with an unusual use of perspective. The oil on canvas is dated 1970s (47×35 inches) and is priced at Rs 40,00,000 – Rs 50,00,000 ($ 49,383 – 61,728). It has been written that even though Ara was hailed as “one of the first Indian painters to meticulously explore the female form, he brought with him a spontaneity to still life and landscapes that were independent of the tenets of academic painting”. He adopted a European style and calibrated it with his Indian roots and aesthetics. Characterised by fluid strokes, his work exhibits an aura of simplistic comfort.
In this work, the stack of blue pipes in the foreground and the townscape in the background have a unique artistic take as the wires seem to reach out to the buildings forming roads and crossing over grasslands.
What Else to Expect from AstaGuru’s Auction
The exhibition catalogue also presents to viewers a historic collection of 28 postcards and two sketches from Ganesh Pyne to Lalu Prasad Shaw, written between 1958 and 1964. These postcard letters showcase the camaraderie and warmth that the two artists shared, while also giving us a view of the rustic beauty of communication 60 years ago. Shaw has written… “While attending classes together at the college, Ganesh and I became friends, and this friendship of ours has lasted a lifetime. His letters did not just possess his endearing words, but always came with an added delight in the form of a small artwork—every letter of his contained a unique rendering of art from his imagination. These letters are the only way I can reminisce about those days of friendship.” Priced at Rs 30,00,000 – Rs 40,00,000 the work that was collected directly from Shaw, is not just a piece of friendship and history but a unique set of artworks that capture the artist’s vivid imagination influenced by Bengal’s rich folk tales and culture.
Another notable rare work by J Swaminathan comes from his Bird, Tree, Mountain series, in lively yellow, greens, and browns with hints of blue and grey. This series is a profound reflection of his unique artistic philosophy, merging symbolism with a distinct spirituality. This seminal work explores the interconnectedness of natural elements, presenting a simplified yet deeply evocative visual language.
The auction also showcases a collection of M F Husain’s horses, Ram Kumar’s earthy landscapes and a few nudes by F N Souza which complete the Modern collection. A rare work by S H Raza may also be noted, that pre-dates his Bindu series.
In the contemporary section, there is a complete dedication to a series by Manu Parekh, titled Banaras in Blue. Capturing the array of temples, waterscapes and stairways that are typical of the city of birth, marriage and death, Parekh brings his strong strokes and moody colours to the composition.
One is also drawn to a rare figurative work by Jayashri Burman a Bombay cityscape that is very different from her stylized Devi works. This 2016 watercolour on paper captures groups of people entering a decorated lit-up building, which indicates a moment of festivity.
The auction is filled with surprises, from works by Rabindranath Tagore and Homi Baba to large works by Laxma Gaud, a rare sculpture by Vaikuntam who is known for his paintings. A rare portrait by Sakti Burman of his wife and fellow painter Maite Delteil, a rare Jehangir Sabavala and a timeless work by Pyne of Krishna his mother who is smiling beatifically.
One could observe that auction previews are a very educative and almost museum-like space since one gets to view rare works that have disappeared into private collections.
The auction is on 14th and 16th December, 2024
Image Courtesy – AstaGuru Auction House
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