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Unveiling Indian art

Scholar B.N. Goswamy opened the eyes of participants at a workshop to the intricacies of Indian miniature art

MIXED MEDIA The Indian artist has always embraced various influences with eagerness and ingenuity

How does one view a piece of art? Is there a difference between "looking" and "seeing"? How much time should one "invest" in the act of seeing? What does it take to enter the alluring and mysterious realm of art?

These and many more questions were probed during the recently concluded workshop, Ways Of Seeing Art, by internationally renowned scholar, art historian and curator of Indian art B.N. Goswamy, as he escorted the participants into the fascinating world of Indian miniature paintings. "Not everyone can enjoy the magic of Indian art, only a rasika can," declared Dr. Goswamy in his richly illustrated talk on the vast, uncharted domains of Indian art.

Poetic metaphors

In the authors' note to the seminal work, Domains Of Wonder: Selected Masterworks Of Indian Painting, Dr. Goswamy (and his co-author, Caron Smith) refer to the term "wonder" (vismaya) and explain how, according to the classical Indian tradition, "it tends to reside in many and different domains: in vision and in imagination, in exploration of the mysterious, amidst levels of accomplishment in craftsmanship, acuity of observation, poetic metaphors."

During the three-day workshop, organised by Mahua Art Gallery at Alliance Francaise, Dr. Goswamy elaborated on these "domains of wonder" and shared his extensive knowledge on the subject. He spoke with great admiration about the artists of a bygone era, most of whom engaged with the subject of their works with rich imagery, workmanship and passion for detail, but chose to remain anonymous.

The Indian painter, according to Dr. Goswamy, was no docile imitator. He was brave and defiant in making emphatic visual statements. At the same time, there was a remarkable openness in picking elements from both indigenous and foreign sources with eagerness and ingenuity, and making them his own. In many instances, the artist endeavoured to mirror a poet's thoughts and images. Displaying a remarkable range of expressions — where the mood could swing effortlessly from one of celebration and abandon to something deeply solemn and meditative — many of the paintings truly signified a pilgrimage of the mind. Elements of abstraction and ambiguity included in some of these works would leave even modern painters gaping in disbelief.

Magical moment

Quoting scriptures, historical texts, hymns and verses (in Sanskrit, Urdu and Hindustani), Dr. Goswamy also provided many invaluable tips and suggestions for the participants. Enticing them to "enter the pictures through the painter's eye", he made a strong case for developing patience and skill to reap a great visual harvest.

"Art is like a kaleidoscope creating many patterns of incredulity and goes well beyond the visible," he said. "Art viewing is an exercise of a thirsty human mind to arouse wonderment and curiosity. One needs to internalise the essence of the artwork, cultivate a sense of awe and develop a strategy for seeing. You can't do it in a hurry...Works of art also have the capacity to elevate the viewer. One could see a painting, for instance, many times but may not recognise anything extraordinary. But after several attempts, suddenly something — a new revelation, a new meaning, a new wisdom — could spring up miraculously. And when that happens, a whole new world opens up magically inside you. One has to be aware to catch the intensity of that experience. And seize that magical moment!"

ATHREYA

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