Many Indian artists began with European echoes imbibing a lot of Western styles such as realism, cubism, abstraction and more in their work. However, it was during the post-independence period that Indian sculptures slowly pared down the existing dogmas and created works celebrating the simplicity of contours and minimalism. Today, there is more of a fusion of trends, wherein modernist Indian sculptors depict Indian mythology and history with the accents of European art forms and styles. We profile popular Indian sculpture artis... Read more>>

A pioneer of Indian modern art, Amrita Sher-Gil was among the greatest avant-garde women artists of the 20th century. Hardly acknowledged in her lifetime, her work especially the famous portrait paintings is considered among the most expansive by any Indian artist. Born in Budapest on Jan 30, 1913, to an Indian Sikh father (Umrao Singh Sher-Gil, a Sanskrit scholar) and a Hungarian mother (Maria Antoinette, an opera singer), her aesthetic sensibility was a blend of European and Indian elements. Growing up in Budapest, Hungary, Sh... Read more>>

The practice of making detailed graphite pencil drawings goes back to the 17th and 18th centuries when Plumbago drawings were popular for portraits. These portraits were primarily drawn on vellum, and shading tends to be much lighter than the hyper-realistic pencil sketch portrait of today. A few hundred years later, contemporary artists in India and across the globe are creating mesmerising portraits and drawings. Mastering the art of pencil drawing, a few hyperrealist portrait artists have achieved a photographic level of... Read more>>

Often called the ‘Art of God’, this traditional art form is quickly becoming popular among art collectors and enthusiasts. Pichwai art is a style of painting that originated nearly 400 years ago in the holy town of Nathdwara in Rajasthan and illustrates Indian tales, poetry, literature, and myths hand-painted on silk, muslin or paper. This traditional art form is the perfect example of ‘Guru-shishya’ tradition, the intricacies and detailing of the art have been passed down through the generations. Let&rsq... Read more>>

Ever wondered why Holi is celebrated with great fervour in the villages around the birthplace of Krishna? Or, why most houses are decked up with Radha-Krishna paintings during this festival of colours? It is because Holi is inextricably associated with Radha and Krishna – one of the most intense love stories in our mythology ever. In fact, this festival is a celebration of the eternal romance of this beloved couple! Let’s dive deeper into this connection and explore the several legends and rituals related to Holi. ... Read more>>