A new exhibition titled ‘VĀDYA: Folk, Tribal & Classical Musical Instruments’ is set to take place at the National Crafts Museum and Hastkala Academy in Pragati Maidan, New Delhi. Curated by Nidhi, Deputy Director of Crafts Museum, the exhibition will be open from January 18 to February 28, 2024.
Presented by MATI in collaboration with the National Crafts Museum and Hastkala Academy, the exhibition aims to showcase a diverse range of Folk, Tribal, and Classical musical instruments from across India. The display will include aerophones, chordophones, membranophones, and idiophones under categories such as Hindustani Classical, Carnatic Classical, and Folk & Tribal. The thematic focus revolves around the cultural significance of these instruments, with an emphasis on their preservation and promotion in the face of technological advancements.
As part of the exhibition, a book on musical instruments, featuring over 200 pages of photographs and essays by scholars and art writers from across India, will be released. This book aims to provide a deeper understanding of the historical and cultural context of these musical treasures.
Among the unique and rare musical pieces to be showcased are the Kinnari, Tuhila, Ghasiya Baja, Panchmukhi Baja, Buang, and Decca. These instruments hail from various regions such as Andhra Pradesh, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, West Bengal, and Odisha, representing different folk and tribal traditions.
The exhibition will also feature special guests Padma Bhushan Rajeev Sethi, a renowned designer known for his contributions to preserving cultural heritage, and Padma Bhushan Jatin Das, an eminent artist and art collector with a significant collection of hand fans.
The MATI team believes that ‘VĀDYA’ will be a significant event in preserving India’s musical heritage, providing a unique opportunity to appreciate the craftsmanship of Folk, Tribal, and Classical Musical Instruments from various regions.
The exhibition aims to highlight the importance of preserving these instruments in a time when traditional art forms often face overshadowing from technological advancements.
Where: National Crafts Museum and Hastkala Academy, Pragati Maidan, New Delhi
When: January 18 to February 28
