The Hindu : Karnataka / Bangalore News : Reversing the colonial gaze

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Dec 17, 2007
ePaper

Karnataka

Karnataka - Bangalore

Reversing the colonial gaze

Bageshree S.

A moving exhibition portrays the events leading to and during 1857

Moving canvas: Wounded men at Dugshai, a watercolour by G.F. Atkinson

Bangalore: All accounts of the rebellion of 1857 are from the point of view of the colonial masters. Is there a way of reversing this gaze and recovering the Indian voice from sources so overwhelmingly biased in their portrayal of the “heroes” and “villains”?

An ongoing exhibition organised by the Indian Council of Historical Research, Representation of 1857, succeeds in giving a sense of this voice by juxtaposing events as depicted by British artists with statements and texts by Indian sources.

For example, there are a series of paintings that portray the violence unleashed by the mutineers, where British, especially women, come across as helpless victims. In contrast is a copy of Ishteharnaama in Hindi and Urdu by the mutineers, which speaks about the atrocities of the British and appeals to the citizens to join in their cause. There is an undated letter of rebels from Meerut declaring Bahadurshah Zafar their emperor.

On display is a painting of Indian mercenaries, employed by the British, indulging in looting even as there are pictures and paintings of Indian mutineers being hanged in public by the British authorities. An interesting 1858 picture shows The Times (of London) reporter W.H. Russel furiously taking notes.

A touching exhibit is a 1799 account of Kattabomman’s hanging by the British authorities “for repeatedly acting in contempt of company’s authorities”.

British officer Major Bannerman describes the execution of the rebellious palegar thus: “When he (Kattabomman) went on to be executed, he walked with a firm daring air, and cast looks of sullen contempt on the polygars (palegars) to his right and left as he passed.”

Yet another account offers an unusual human dimension by talking about how Kattabomman was filled by anxiety for a moment as he thought of his mute brother.

Though not exactly from the time of the rebellion, this exhibit gives a glimpse into the build-up to what came later.

(The exhibition will continue at the ICHR’s Southern Regional Centre on Law College Premises, Palace Road, till December 31, between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m.)

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Karnataka