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Time of India
24-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Mumbai's heritage fountains, BEST buses & street food in focus: Experts to share insights at NGMA panel on July 2; event to explore city's cultural & urban legacy
MUMBAI: Three elements of Mumbai's culture will figure in a panel discussion being organised in South Mumbai next month. Heritage water fountains like Mulji Jetha and Flora Fountain, the iconic red BEST buses that are now celebrating their 150th anniversary, and the city's fabled street food epitomised in bhelpuri, vada pav, misal and sandwich will occupy pride of place at this event. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Avid Learning, in collaboration with the National Gallery of Modern Art (NGMA), Mumbai, and Kala Ghoda Association will host a seminar titled 'Uncovering Urban Legacies: Icons of Mumbai -- Fountains, BEST Buses, Street Food' at NGMA, Fort, on the evening of July 2. This panel discussion has invited experts who have studied and documented these aspects of Mumbai life for posterity. Conservation architect Vikas Dilawari, assistant professor, KRVIA, has restored prominent water fountains in Mumbai. Hussain Indorewala is co-convenor, Aamchi Mumbai Aamchi BEST while food writer-actor Kunal Vijayakar runs a popular YouTube channel on Mumbai's cuisine. The discussion will be moderated by architect and editor Meera Godbole-Krishnamurthy. After exploring Bombay's diasporic communities and historic precincts, this is the third episode of the 'Uncovering Urban Legacies' series.
Hindustan Times
21-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
Caravaggio's 'Magdalene in Ecstasy' is an experience to behold, say visitors to art gallery
Bengaluru, The thing that got 11-year-old Mahaavin amazed when he discovered European master Caravaggio for the first time is the fact that the painting that hung at National Gallery of Modern Art was done in 1606. Caravaggio's 'Magdalene in Ecstasy' is an experience to behold, say visitors to art gallery Till July 6, NGMA will be displaying one of Caravaggio's works, "Magdalene in Ecstasy", thanks to Italian Embassy in Delhi, and in particular Alfonso Tagliaferri, Consul General of Italy in Bengaluru, who made sure the painting that was loaned to China, made a pitstop in Bengaluru too on its way back to Italy. After a month in Delhi, at Kiran Nadar Museum of Art, it arrived in Bengaluru on June 13. "That is like more than 400 years old. How can something this old be this well preserved," said Mahaavin, who had accompanied his dad to NGMA. The pre-teen, a native of Tumakuru, but who lives in Vijayawada, is no stranger to art. His father, Vinod Kumar, an artist himself, and who teaches visual art at the same school his son is studying, had ensured that his education is wholesome by enrolling in a school that pays attention to art as much as learning a math formula. Kumar said he also made sure they visit some interesting places, including museums, on their school breaks, like now, considering they get breaks together. "But nothing really prepared me for this experience here," said Mahaavin. Every visitor that PTI spoke to on June 20 echoed this sentiment. Seventy-plus years old Kiran Ganapathy, a native of Coorg, who is visiting her daughter in Bengaluru, said she was extremely glad that she let her daughter persuade her to come. "I studied here in Bengaluru and in my college days, frankly, Bengaluru had lot more to offer in terms of art. All those iconic places are now gone, really. I think the last time that I had an art outing here was probably in the 1980s," said Ganapathy. But being an Army wife, Ganapathy said she has travelled a lot. "We have been to Florence and been to those countless museums there. I am sure I have come across Caravaggio there," she said. But here in NGMA though, a huge empty hall is plunged into darkness with only a tiny light right above the painting illuminating it in such a way that the entire focus, no matter where you go in the hall, is only the painting –- that of Mary Magdalene, the woman believed to be a sex worker and Jesus Christ's disciple. The painting captures her rapture, highlighted by, as critics put it, "a ray of intense light, her head lolling back and eyes stained with tears". "I think this is perhaps the best way to learn about an artist, without feeling that fatigue one tends to in museums. I think one gets to understand Caravaggio's art much better like this than walking through a series of his paintings," added Ganapathy. It helped that the visitors also had an option to know a little bit more of Caravaggio's life, his style and his other famous works through an eight-minute virtual reality presentation. But some, like 71-year-old Annapoorna Sitaram, an artist herself, chose to sit in the bench placed strategically in front of the painting, lost in contemplation. When PTI caught up with Sitaram, she was already sitting there close to 30 minutes, taking in all the symbolisms that the artist has packed into his painting. She readily points them out to us: The little triangles that shoulders, neck and the drape of her clothes formed which in Medieval Europe primarily linked to Christian Holy Trinity . The greyish undertone to the skin that is to be expected of a woman who was a sex worker in those times. The stark contrast between red and white of the clothes, which denotes the clashing personality of Magdalene passionate and pure. The clash of light and darkness, which is an underlying theme of every Caravaggio. "As an artist though, I am amazed at how much drama he managed to create with so little. At a time when his fellow artists were filling the canvas with things, he stripped them bare. Just the effect of light which pours from the top left – has more drama than most animated figures of other artists," said Sitaram. Tagliaferri said this "theatricality" is called Caravaggesque style. "He was very ahead of his time. He created a sense of photography, cinematography even, with the way he handled light. His paintings take you directly to that moment of drama – in this painting, it is the ecstasy of Magdalene. This is what makes Caravaggio's works compelling," said Tagliaferri. Sneha, who is "taking a break" from teaching, said she had a moment of epiphany while standing in front of the painting: once a teacher, always a teacher. Her "teacher" eyes immediately spotted possibly the only thing that went wrong — lighting is too dim to make out the most famous symbolism in "Magdalene in Ecstasy", the 'cross and crown of thorns'. According to a signage nearby, the skull at the bottom right and the cross at top left denote the eternal pull between the good and the evil that mankind goes through. "I mean, wasn't that the point of the painting? How can we compromise on that? Somebody needs to tell the organisers to brighten the lights a bit more," said the 45-year-old teacher. This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.
India Gazette
19-06-2025
- General
- India Gazette
"Books are beautiful!": National Gallery of Modern Art celebrates National Reading Day
By Amrashree Mishra New Delhi [India], June 19 (ANI): The National Gallery of Modern Art (NGMA) celebrated the National Reading Day here on Thursday by creating a unique bridge, bringing literature and art together. In an open reading session, people poured in from all walks of life and slipped away into the wondrous world of literature, but with a twist. The tales of Ramayana, the history of terracotta art and Le Corbusier's designs of Chandigarh found a way to people's hearts through a fascinating collection of books as the medium. Present at the event Suman Gupta, an educator, smiled, 'Books are beautiful!' Speaking to ANI, she said such events enhance the 'emotional and intelligence quotient' of children. 'Books are beautiful, they are illustrative. Events like these cultivate reading habit in children and allow them to travel the world through books. Artistic illustrations such as Ramlila in books blends and brings together art and literature.' While lauding the noble initiative, she suggested that the government should have collaborations with schools and increase the frequency of such events so that we create a future where children are emotionally aware, are familiar with cultural diversity and know their heritage. Swati Tiwari, Assistant Curator at NGMA, told ANI, 'Every year on June 19, India celebrates National Reading Day, a day to celebrate the value and delight of reading and to remind us that books are our teachers and lifelong friends.' Noting that the day marks the contributions of readers and encourages individuals of all ages to develop the habit of reading, she told ANI, 'This day honours PN Panicker, the founder of Kerala's Library Movement, whose idea made reading available to everyone. It's a great time to read again, discover new books, and inspire others to discover the joys of reading'. PN Panicker is known as the father of library and literacy movement in Kerala, which eventually spread across India. Born in 1909, he passed away on June 19, 1995. The National Reading Day marks his contribution to the Indian society. Praising his contributions, former President Ramnath Kovind had said that Panicker wanted to remove the evil of illiteracy with a potent message - 'Vayichu Valaruka' which means 'Read and Grow'. The celebration of National Reading Day becomes significant as 2025 marks the 115th birth anniversary of India's most beloved librarian- PN Panicker. Assistant Curator Tiwari in her concluding remarks said, 'With the intent to raise the awareness about reading, the NGMA is celebrating National Reading Day'. Gagandeep, a working professional, said, 'This is a really nice initiative as it allows the younger generation to bond and connect with books. The reading session at an art gallery takes us away from screens and we are able to explore art!' Yukta, a student, said, 'The reading session is a great way for us to pick up a new habit and bring the younger generation along too!' Hritik Dev Gohil, a working professional, expressed joy on attending the event. 'Art and literature freshen up the minds. They connect us to our childhood. Epics like Ramayana which we see here paintings and in books is a great bridge'. The National Gallery of Modern Art brought literature to the younger generation through vivid arts, a tech savvy gallery and plethora of inspiration, leaving visitors awe-inspired. (ANI)
The Hindu
14-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Hindu
Caravaggio's Magdalene in Ecstasy travels to Bengaluru
'This is the first time an original Caravaggio has travelled to India,' says Alfonso Tagliaferri, Consul General of Italy in Bengaluru, at a press conference preceding the unveiling of Magdalene in Ecstasy by Renaissance artist Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio in Bengaluru at the National Gallery of Modern Art (NGMA). 'It defines a very good moment of the bilateral relations that we are living in now,' he adds. The painting depicts Mary of Magdala in a state of almost-erotic spiritual rapture, semi-reclining, draped in scarlet robes with bared shoulders and flowing auburn hair, against a dark background: an especially pronounced use of the classic chiaroscuro technique of Renaissance art called tenebrism, which he is often credited as having introduced. 'Art historians, when they talk of Caravaggio, quite often use the term realist, but the correct definition would be theatricality — the way he composed paintings was very theatrical,' explains Andrea Anastasio, Director of the Italian Cultural Centre, who was also present at the press conference. 'Of course, there is a lot of reality because he painted with real models, which sometimes generated trouble,' says Anastasio. For instance, in his famous painting of a dying Madonna, The Death of the Virgin, he is believed to have used a prostitute, 'and that caused a lot of noise in the public… the church refused to take the painting.' Caravaggio, he continues, radically changed art, particularly because of the way he used light. 'We have to keep in mind that there is a pre-Caravaggio and post-Caravaggio, when it comes to painting in Europe,' he says, pointing out that many artists, including Rembrandt and Velázquez, drew inspiration from his use of light. 'Caravaggism is a fashion where artists used his way of painting pictures and his way of using light.' An important artist Magdalene in Ecstasy is believed to have been painted in 1606, while Caravaggio was in hiding, after he had killed a man, Ranuccio Tommason, in a brawl. 'Caravaggio has a troubled, really tragic life,' says Anastasio, adding that the artist was a temperamental man with a difficult childhood. 'You have to keep in mind that, at the age of six, in one day, he lost his father, his aunt, uncle and another very close relative due to plague,' he says. The remaining family left Milan to escape the epidemic, moving to the town of Caravaggio in Bergamo, Lombardy, where he was raised by his mother and, during this period, they appeared to have faced financial strife. His talent, however, by most accounts, was undeniable. According to the Caravaggio foundation's website, in 1584, he started as an apprentice to the Lombard painter Simone Peterzano, a pupil of Titian. By 1592, he had moved to Rome, where he began 'performing hack-work for the highly successful Giuseppe Cesari, Pope Clement VIII's favourite painter,' it states. Within two years, he quit Cesari and decided to make his own way in the world and, over time, became an established name in Italy. But his tempestuous nature meant that he was 'notorious for brawling, even in a time and place when such behaviour was commonplace, and the transcripts of his police records and trial proceedings fill several pages.' By 39, he was dead, passing away under mysterious circumstances in 1610; however, his legacy lives on, and how. 'There are a bunch of artists who are the most important for us (Italians),' says Consul General Tagliaferri, naming some of them. 'Leonardo (da Vinci), Michelangelo, Raphael…after this, I would say, is Caravaggio…very important for us and the history of the world.' Lost and found For centuries, Magdalene in Ecstasy was believed to have been lost to the world, even though 'we knew the painting existed because copies were made,' says Anastasio. Then, in 2014, it was discovered in a private collection of an aristocratic Italian family who had owned it for centuries. 'When the last owner of the painting died, she left nine important paintings from her collection to her nephew and niece. The one who got the painting sent it to be restored, and when it went to the restoration workshop, the restorer suspected it was important.' Further investigations by experts, including the art historian Guglielma Gregori, revealed that it was indeed the missing painting and 'after that the painting has been travelling and has been exhibited in several countries. The reason it is here is the joy of sharing a painting of such an exquisite nature,' he says. The painting, which was first unveiled in India at the Kiran Nadar Museum of Art, Delhi, is accompanied by a VR experience offering visitors a deeper engagement with the artist's work. 'The viewer comes most of the time, knowing very little about the artist or the historical context, so doing it in a way that they would engage is important,' says Anastasio. 'And VR does it in a beautiful way.' For Dr Sanjeev Kishor Goutam, Director General, NGMA, 'this exceptional exhibition of Magdalene in Ecstasy honouring Caravaggio's creative heritage will, in my opinion, have a lasting influence on world art history,' he says. 'For the first time in India, this one-of-a-kind show would draw a sizeable audience of art enthusiasts and spectators from all walks of life, especially academics and students studying the arts.' Magdalene in Ecstasy will be displayed at the National Gallery of Modern Art till July 6
Mint
14-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Mint
Planner: 4 events that make this an eclectic week
Anupa Mehta Contemporary Arts, Mumbai, is hosting Voir Dire 2, featuring artists such as Madhavi Subrahmanian, Sumakshi Singh, Vibha Galhotra and Chandrashekhar Koteshwar. The previous chapter of Voir Dire, held between March and April, presented a dialogue on materiality, perception and authenticity. The exhibition's second chapter carries this forward and examines how 'truth is constructed, perceived and revealed through a multiplicity of perspectives'. Subrahmanian, for instance, presents works from the Spiral series, featuring a set of 373 handmade stoneware cones and 343 terracotta cones. At Anupa Mehta Contemporary Arts, Mumbai, till 10 July, 11am-6pm, Tuesday to Saturday. Historian Sohail Hashmi A unique event is all set to celebrate the culture and generational memory around the mango. Organised by the Kashkol Collective, Bazm-e-Aam will include a myriad forms of storytelling to look at the mango as a cultural metaphor and a symbol of nostalgia. You can attend the Qissagoi—Dastan on the Mango by Ashhar Haque, tracing the journey of this fruit from Buddhist parables and Mughal memoirs to colonial kitchens. A highlight of the evening is a talk by historian Sohail Hashmi and writer-environmentalist Sopan Joshi on the mango and Indian cultural memory. At the end is a meal curated by chef Sadaf Hussain. At India International Centre, Delhi, 14 June, 7pm onwards. Magdalene in Ecstasy, Oil on canvas, by Caravaggio After mesmerising audiences in Delhi, Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio's exquisite painting, Mary Magdalene in Ecstasy, travels to Bengaluru and is on show till early July at the National Gallery of Modern Arts (NGMA). The painting – considered one of the best examples of the chiaroscuro technique – was done by Caravaggio around 1606 while he was in exile after being charged for murder. After having been lost for centuries, the painting resurfaced in a private collection in 2014. At NGMA, Manikyavelu Mansion, Palace Road, Bengaluru, 14 June - 6 July 2025,10 am-6pm (closed on Mondays and national holidays). BeautyXperience 2025 includes masterclasses by celebrity makeup artistes, luxury brand showcases and live music performances. Phoenix Mall of Asia Bengaluru is hosting BeautyXperience 2025, a three-day celebration of beauty, style and artistry. On schedule are masterclasses by celebrity makeup artiste Sandhya Shekhar and beauty educator Bhumika Bahl, luxury brand showcases, and musical performances by StringFisher, Kanya, and the Fernandes Trio. At Fan Park, Phoenix Mall Of Asia, Byatarayanapura, Yelahanka, Bengaluru, till 15 June, 2.30pm onwards. For details and registration, visit
