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Indian Express
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Indian Express
Museum of Art and Photography unveils new exhibition of works by celebrated modernist Ram Kumar
The Bengaluru-based Museum of Art and Photography Saturday unveiled its latest exhibit: 'Shape of a Thought: Letters from Ram Kumar.' The display, which will be open to the public until October 26, focuses on the works of the celebrated abstract artist Ram Kumar, juxtaposing his art and writing. A fascinating aspect of the late Ram Kumar's work is that most of his pieces on display are untitled – in keeping with his perspective that his art should be interpreted by the viewer. He was also deeply influenced by the cities he visited, with some of his works being inspired by places like Varanasi. In the words of the curators of the exhibition, he 'viewed cities as people, and people as cities.' The exhibition also focuses on Ram Kumar as a writer – something he tried his hand at before he was ever known for his art. One can expect to see the odd quotation by Ram Kumar, or contemporaries who knew him like M F Husain, or even an excerpt from a conversation alongside a painting. In keeping with this, visitors can write down their impressions of the gallery and leave them behind. Also on display are several excerpts from letters by Ram Kumar that give readers an insight into his thought process. One reads, 'I want a direct confrontation with myself without any distraction. It suits me wonderful. I am able to see things in a deeper perspective.' Speaking to members of the press and others this Thursday, MAP founder Abhishek Poddar shared his memories of Ram Kumar, whom he befriended when he was a teenager in Delhi after finding out his home address. He recalled, 'I was 17 or 18 at the time… he called me up to his house and asked me why I wanted to see his work. It resulted in this amazing relationship.' The MAP has also opened up displays in collaboration with BIAL (Bangalore International Airport Limited) at Terminal 2 of the Kempegowda International Airport – with a digital display centre located in the domestic section, and an exhibition of Padma Shri-winning artist Bhuri Bai's work in the international section. The digital display centre allows access to various digital experiences such as puzzles based on art and virtual displays, including past exhibitions displayed at the Museum of Art and Photography. Harish Vasudevan, Director, MAP, said, 'The point is not for people to come (physically) to the museum – the point is for people to understand the value of art in your life. We want to take art to people in the media they are more comfortable with.' A particular highlight is the autobiographical series of artworks by artist Bhuri Bai, who belongs to the Bhil community of Madhya Pradesh. This is a physical display at the international section of T2, and will be exhibited for an extended period of several months or longer before being rotated out. Bhuri Bai's art on display reflects her own experiences and those of her community, while also exhibiting the evolution of her own artistic style – which started out with makeshift pigments using earth, soot and turmeric. One sees art closer to the traditional Pithora style of the Bhil community – which was historically male-dominated – and later changes as Bhuri Bai developed her own distinctive art. Natural motifs have progressed to modern trappings such as aeroplanes and cars – through the prism of her distinct style.
Hindustan Times
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
Boarding delayed? Scroll, swipe, play at MAP art spaces at Bengaluru airport
There's a surprise in store for fliers at Terminal 2 of Bengaluru's Kempegowda International Airport, and it's a surprise that invites their participation. Two large enclaves, one each at the domestic and international departures terminals, set up by the Museum of Art & Photography (MAP), offer intriguing ways to while away the time as one waits for one's flight. Waiting here are paintings, photographs and sculpture by the likes of Jamini Roy, Jangarh Singh Shyam, Jyoti Bhatt, Suresh Punjabi and LN Tallur — giants whose works encompass Modernist, folk, abstract and contemporary styles. There is a games corner where visitors may piece together Indian art-inspired jigsaw puzzles, or colour in classical line drawings. In an unusual highlight, each venue also features large interactive screens that allow visitors to navigate their way through MAP's massive collection of Indian art, going back 10,000 years. Interactive interfaces sit alongside exhibitions on cinema, folk art and more. Flip, digitally, through the Kanchana Chitra Ramayana, an exquisite 18th-century illustrated manuscript. Watch shadow puppets come alive. Pick a tribal art form and explore it. Or simply run a pattern search — draw a shape, any shape, on the screen, and it will throw up all the artworks where similar shapes show up in the MAP collection. 'The idea is to invite people to enjoy art on their terms. Children are welcome too,' says Arnika Ahldag, director of exhibitions and curation at MAP. 'In the art world, some exhibits tend to be playful, some end up being educational and some are personal — each viewer might look at it and feel something different. We are hoping these exhibits will let people do all these things in one accessible space.' Flight plan Part of the larger space, at the international terminal, will consist of temporary exhibitions too. The first of these, on until January, features the work of Bhuri Bai, the renowned Bhil artist from Madhya Pradesh. Colourful dots and dashes, typical of the Bhil tradition, adorn her work. But there's nothing typical about her art. A former sweeper, Bhuri Bai, now in her 60s, is known for being the first female practitioner of the sacred folk mural art form, and the first to create the art on paper and on canvas. The exhibition serves as a timeline of her oeuvre, starting with works she created in her 20s, and proceeding through to a 2018 autobiographical series commissioned by MAP. Where Bhil art typically depicts nature, myth and village life, her art works feature all these and incorporates elements of the modern day (buses, tractors, new landscapes), and intangible elements of Bhil culture such as tattoo designs. On display at the airport is also a painting with a rare self-portrait hidden within it. 'The idea is to invite people to enjoy art on their terms. Children are welcome too,' says Arnika Ahldag, director of exhibitions and curation at MAP. 'Bhuri Bai is an artist important to MAP,' says Ahldag, curator of this exhibit. It is her art that covers the boundary wall of the MAP building in the centre of Bengaluru. 'The airport initiative is our way of taking the museum out of the museum,' adds Harish Vasudevan, acting director of MAP, 'and democratising the way in which it is experienced.' Close encounters Walk into the MAP premises in the city, meanwhile, and a very different perspective awaits. A new exhibition, on until end-October, serves as a meditation on the mind of one of India's foremost abstractionists: Ram Kumar. The artist (September 23, 1924 to April 14, 2018), who died aged 93, would have been 100 this year. To mark the end of his centenary year, MAP pays tribute through a show titled Shape of a Thought. Kumar, born in Shimla, lived in Delhi and grew to love Varanasi, a pilgrim town that inspired much of his art. In addition to paintings by the artist set in Varanasi, the show features intimate letters he wrote to his friend, Abhishek Poddar, a prominent collector, patron of the arts, and founder of MAP. Inside the exhibition on Ram Kumar. The letters contain musings on people, life, time, our world, and of course, art. A writing desk invites viewers to contemplate these themes as Kumar did, and write letters too, to a loved one, or to themselves. Written cues around the exhibition hall, meanwhile, prompt viewers to take a second look at each painting, to see what's lurking within the shades on canvas. 'I was never hesitant to ask, 'Can you please explain what you've painted over here?'' Poddar says. While Kumar often insisted that he take from each painting what he could, he would often also explain. In the case of one large, brown canvas, 'I saw it very differently after Ram said to me, 'Do you see this person here?' Now I cannot not see that person.' Ram Kumar was a man moved by people and cities, and the struggles of the human condition. He was always looking to engage with the world directly, Poddar says. 'We met when I was a teenager. I didn't know enough and would just talk about art, yet we maintained a lifelong friendship and correspondence. He was a mentor to me,' Poddar adds, 'and a rare gift to the art world.'
Deccan Herald
06-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Deccan Herald
BLR Airport's Terminal 2 adds new art displays
At T2's international terminal, an exhibition highlighting the journey of Padma Shri awardee Bhuri Bai, a Bhil artist, is currently on display.
The Hindu
03-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Hindu
Museum of Art & Photography installations to be exhibited at KIA Bengaluru
The Kempegowda International Airport (KIA) has partnered with the Museum of Art & Photography (MAP), Bengaluru to offer passengers a unique cultural experience in its Terminal 2 (T2). The Bangalore International Airport Limited (BIAL) which operates KIA, stated that this collaboration aims to transform the airport into a dynamic cultural hub, allowing travellers to engage with the rich tapestry of South Asian art and heritage during their journeys. Through thoughtfully curated interactive installations, featuring the works of celebrated artists, passengers will have the opportunity to explore and connect with the region's diverse creative legacy. T2 is already home to a collection of 210 carefully curated artworks by more than 60 artists. What can passengers explore? At T2's domestic terminal, passengers can enjoy a suite of immersive digital experiences curated by MAP which include: Gallery on Demand – Step into a world of artistic exploration with a rich digital library featuring works by renowned artists such as Jamini Roy, Jangarh Singh Shyam, Jyoti Bhatt, Suresh Punjabi, and L.N. Tallur. The platform also brings MAP's extensive film ephemera collection to life through curated stories built around Bollywood posters, stills, and lobby cards. From tracing the evolution of the tawaif figure to embarking on a journey through Arabian Nights, these narratives captivate and inform. A series of short films further offers intimate insights into the lives and practices of selected artists from the MAP collection. Interactive Puzzles – Engage with iconic artworks like Universe by S.H. Raza, Last Supper by Jamini Roy, and The Lotus Sellers by N.S. Bendre through touch-based puzzles that make art both playful and thought-provoking. Digital Lamp Lighting – Rooted in Indian tradition, lighting a lamp marks the beginning of something auspicious. This interactive feature lets travellers digitally light a lamp from MAP's collection by scanning a QR code and personalising the moment with their name — a small but meaningful pause in the journey. Cumulus – Digital Collection Viewing System – Dive deep into MAP's digitised archive using Cumulus, an intuitive application that lets users search, zoom, curate, and share artefacts. With tools for closer inspection and personal collection building, it's an ideal gateway for both casual discovery and deeper research. Virtual Greetings – Send animated digital festival and occasion-based greetings inspired by artworks in MAP's collection. Travellers can also explore an exclusive retail zone featuring MAP collection-inspired home and lifestyle products — ideal for souvenirs, gifts, or a personal piece of art to take home. T2's international terminal will host an exhibition 'Bhuri Bai: My Life as an Artist', spotlighting the journey of Padma Shri awardee Bhuri Bai. Hari Marar, MD & CEO, Bangalore International Airport Limited (BIAL), said, 'At KIA, we're reimagining what it means to travel — not just as a journey from one place to another, but as an experience enriched by culture, creativity, and connection. Our collaboration with MAP is a step in realising that vision, aiming to transform Terminal 2 into a vibrant hub of discovery and engagement. By bringing art into the passenger journey in such an accessible and interactive way, we hope to offer travellers moments of pause, inspiration, and reflection. It's our way of weaving the cultural richness of the region into the overall airport experience.'
