Exhibition: Faras Nama- Legend of the Horse

Artist and filmmaker Muzaffar Ali is set to showcase his latest exhibition at the CCA Building, Bikaner House, New Delhi, from October 19 to  28. The exhibition, titled Faras Nama – Legend of the Horse, will feature a stunning collection of Ali’s works, spanning over four decades. His unique ability to blend cinema and painting comes to life through sketches, canvases, and bronzes, all inspired by his favourite subject — the horse.

The exhibit, curated by art historian Uma Nair, is divided into four thematic sections, each offering a different perspective on Ali’s love for equine subjects. Highlights include detailed Zooni Portraits, inspired by a film project set in Kashmir, and his Equus series, which features powerful representations of horses as symbols of freedom, valour, and beauty.

Ali’s journey into sculpture is also displayed with his bronzes, adding a third dimension to his celebrated horse paintings. A set of newly developed calligraphic studies adds a lyrical, prayer-like quality to the exhibition.

Curator Uma Nair, who has closely followed Ali’s work for over 25 years, describes the exhibition as a deeply immersive experience, highlighting his artistic and cinematic prowess. The show’s design by Meera Ali, in collaboration with Nair, will take visitors through various aesthetic ‘Maqaams’, each representing a station in life.

Muzaffar Ali’s passion for horses is evident throughout the exhibition. “To me, a horse is a darvesh in equine form, capturing timelessness and poetry in every stroke,” says Ali, as he reflects on his creative process.

When: October 19 – 28

Where: Bikaner House, New Delhi