This exhibition is a nuanced re-look at artists, and establishments, that appear to be forgotten outliers today. The Delhi Silpi Chakra was formed on the 25th of March 1949 as a solution to the woes of artists in Delhi, who felt the need of a platform and association which would encourage progressive ideas. The Delhi Silpi Chakra was founded by B.C. Sanyal, Kanwal Krishna, K.S. Kulkarni and Dhan Raj Bhagat: in search of hope and a space for art and artists in the capital city. Given the ruptu...
This exhibition is a nuanced re-look at artists, and establishments, that appear to be forgotten outliers today. The Delhi Silpi Chakra was formed on the 25th of March 1949 as a solution to the woes of artists in Delhi, who felt the need of a platform and association which would encourage progressive ideas. The Delhi Silpi Chakra was founded by B.C. Sanyal, Kanwal Krishna, K.S. Kulkarni and Dhan Raj Bhagat: in search of hope and a space for art and artists in the capital city. Given the rupture caused by Partition, and the suffering experienced by many refugee-artists, the creation of the Chakra was essential for culture to emerge again. The Shankar Market space became an “adda”, for artists, musicians, writers, poets, dancers, intellectuals, and art-lovers. The group played a crucial role in creating the critical mass that created and furthered the cultural and intellectual landscape in Delhi. The Silpi Chakra was vital in building an all encouraging vibrant atmosphere, ideal for intellectual, and artists’ pursuits as a space for not just cultural evolution but revolution(s). Their slogan, “Art Illuminates Life”, was to further the idea of art in the everyday lives of people and build a space for culture in the capital of independent India. Since it began in 1936, Dhoomimal Gallery was to play a leading role in this development of the modern art movement by providing an early platform for new voices. This exhibition by leading artists, includes those who actively engaged with the Delhi Silpi Chakra as members, founders, office bearers, and associates over the years since its inception. Most of the examples on display here significantly influenced Indian Modern Art Movement and provide alternative narratives if the movements myriad trajectories.
Artists on Display: Amarnath Sehgal, Arpita Singh, B.C. Sanyal, Damyanti Chawla, Devayani Krishna, J. Swaminathan, Jaya Appasamy, K.G. Subramanyan, K.S. Kulkarni, Nand Katyal, Paramjit Singh, Ram Kumar, Rameshwar Broota, Rajesh Mehra, Sailoz Mookherjea, Satish Gujral.
