art Archives - Page 4 of 6

April 8, 2013October 12, 2020

A page in Sharda

A page from 17th century poet Sahib Kaul’s Devi Naam Vilas (archive.org)

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October, 2016
Update: The book was scanned and uploaded by eGangotri, an initiative based in Delhi that provides free scanning of ancient manuscripts and old books.

April 8, 2013October 12, 2020

Colors from Bhavani Sahasra Naama

Two Kashmiri paintings from Bhavani Sahasra Naama (updated, archive.org)

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April 7, 2013October 12, 2020

M.K. Raina’s Badshah Pather

This one is an adaptation of Shakespeare’s ‘King Lear’.

Bhand Pather performed at IGNCA on 7/4/2013.

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April 6, 2013October 12, 2020

A play revived after 30 years from the reportaire of Bhand Pather. One of the few that makes extensive use of masks. M.K. Raina mentioned that the art of making these masks was already lost, till one of the troupe artist, a basket weaver by profession, volunteered to make the masks for the show.

Bhand Pather performed at IGNCA on 6/4/2013.
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Post to be updated with more details about particular Pathers. Later.

April 5, 2013October 12, 2020

Gosain Pather

Last of the great Surnai Players. M.K. Raina mentioned that there are now no Surnai makers left in the valley.

Bhand Pather performed at IGNCA on 5/4/2013.

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March 19, 2013October 12, 2020

a graffiti in Jammu

Came across a Banksy inspired graffiti at Zorawar Singh Chowk in Jammu, a place somewhere in a more affluent part of Jammu covering Gandhi Nagar and Trikuta Nagar. It was probably my first visit to the chowk and Trikuta Nagar, even though I lived in the city for quite sometime.

The quote ‘Losing all hope is Freedom’ is from the film/novel ‘Fight Club’. Like the motif of religions nuking love.

The artist signature ‘Smoking Chimp’ is probably inspired by Bansky too. In fact, I read last year a bunch of Banksy inspired work cropped up around this area.

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February 15, 2013October 12, 2020

Kashmiri Sword and Guns, 1884

Came across these in a German work titled ‘Aus dem westlichen Himalaya: Erlebnisse und Forschungen’ by Károly Jenö Ujfalvy (1884). All these specimen appear to be from Bhaderwah. In Kashmir, the art of gunmaking was introduced during era of Afghan rule. Best of the gunsmiths had shops at Nawatta in Srinagar. There still remain some old makers at Bandook Khar Mohalla, Rainawari (Gunsmith Lane) of the town.

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Previously:
Kashmiri Swords, Divine Bow and Arrows, Shalimar the Clown

November 17, 2012October 12, 2020

Mystery ancient brick inside a Mughal Sarai, Rajouri

Shared by Rafiq Pirzada who came across it inside a Mughal Sarai along the Mughal Route in Rajouri called Darhali More, an old monument in shambles, reduced to dilapidated outer walls and a ruined outer gate. On one of the inner walls he saw this strange image. He wrote in to ask if anyone has any clues about it.

I wasn’t able to find any reference to it but to me it looks like remnant of some other structure. It looks like a battle scene, possibly a victor king slaying an enemy king. The scene seems like a dedication to the winning king. What stands out is the elaborate headgear on the entities, a symbol of royalty perhaps. I am tempted to think that it may be Greco-Buddhist because Rajouri did fall under that belt but then there aren’t many battle scene depicted in Greco-Buddhist art found in Kashmir.

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November 7, 2012October 12, 2020

Ganga Yamuna in Kashmir

Ganga Bank, Rishikesh. 2009

Yamuna Bank. Delhi.2012.

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Below some pages from ‘Vaishava Art and Iconography of Kashmir’ (1996) by Bansi Lal Malla

Ganga in niche on left, Avantisvamin temple, quadrangle porch, outer chamber, northern wall, Avantipur (Pulwama), Mid 9th cent. A.D., Bluish grey limestone.

Yamuna in niche on right, Avantisvamin temple, quadrangle porch, outer chamber, southern wall, Avantipur (Pulwama), Mid 9th cent. A.D., Bluish grey limestone.