Purvaee: Evoking Pedagogic Lineages

The Kiran Nadar Museum of Art (KNMA), Noida, is currently hosting an exhibition titled Purvaee, which delves into the history of art education in India. The exhibition runs from September 13 to February 20, 2025, and is open to the public daily from 10:30 AM to 6:30 PM, except on Mondays and national holidays.

Purvaee, meaning “the eastern wind”, highlights the transmission of creative sensibilities and visual representations pioneered by two renowned art institutions: Kala Bhavana, Santiniketan (established in 1919), and the Faculty of Fine Arts, Baroda (established in 1950). These institutions significantly shaped holistic approaches to art in India.

The exhibition features more than 200 artworks from the museum’s collection, offering a glimpse into the artistic legacies of influential artist-educators such as Nandalal Bose, Benode Behari Mukherjee, and Ramkinkar Baij. Their teachings inspired future generations, including artists like KG Subramanyan, Krishna Reddy, and Sarbari Roy Choudhury.

A highlight of the exhibition is an exceptional early 20th-century Japanese woodblock print titled Sati by Nandalal Bose. This critically acclaimed piece is displayed alongside works by his students and later generations, including Mrinalini Mukherjee, Pushpamala N, and Manisha Gera Baswani.

The artworks, spanning from the 1940s to the 2000s, demonstrate the evolution of artistic practices and methodologies passed down through generations. They also explore subjectivities and stylistic innovations, forming a dialogue between the masters and their students.

The exhibition provides insights into the creative dialogues and institutional influences that shaped Indian modern and contemporary art. It is a must-visit for art enthusiasts keen to explore the enduring impact of India’s pioneering art educators and their creative legacies.

When: Until February 20, 2025; 10:30 AM-6:30 PM

Where: Kiran Nadar Museum of Art, Noida