‘The Fearful Symmetry’: A solo exhibition by Kannu Behera

The Open Palm Court Gallery at India Habitat Centre will host a solo exhibition by Delhi-based artist Kannu Behera, titled The Fearful Symmetry, from September 19 to 25. Curated by noted critic Johny ML, the show will remain open to visitors between 11 am and 7 pm daily.

Born in Ganjam district, Odisha, Behera draws deeply from his cultural roots, particularly the ritualistic art form Bagha Nata or Tiger Dance. In this centuries-old performative tradition, devotees take on the guise of tigers, moving through villages in a trance-like state before culminating the dance at the local shrine.

Behera himself was once a tiger dancer during his school days. Known for his boundless energy, he recalls how, on one occasion, he disappeared into the forest mid-performance, only to be found days later in a temple courtyard, still in trance. That formative experience, he says, shaped his lifelong vow to keep the spirit of tigers central to his life and art.

After graduating in painting from Khallikote Fine Arts College, Odisha, and completing his Masters at Khairagarh University, Behera moved to Delhi in 2018. His practice has since gained recognition both in terms of aesthetics and art market success.

“Tiger Dance originates from early memories of hunting. Tigers are taboos and have become sacred animals through processes of cultural appropriation. The gore and violence of real hunting are transcended into ritualistic performances, embodying the evolution of aesthetics and the history of hunting tribes settling into agrarian ethos,” curator Johny ML explained.

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In his paintings, tiger dancers often form the backdrop, juxtaposed with scenes of everyday life in the foreground. This interplay, Johny ML notes, is Behera’s way of affirming his cultural roots while inviting wider audiences to connect with shared ritualistic traditions.

Beyond painting, Behera also works with printmaking—particularly woodcut and etching—while consistently revisiting the tiger motif. His extensive photo and video documentation of Bagha Nata performances in Odisha will also feature in the exhibition.

Adding to the immersive experience, the exhibition will include a live Tiger Dance performance by traditional artists from Odisha, accompanied by village percussionists. Scholar Dilip Tripathy will deliver a talk on the history of the ritual, and the concluding day will see a conversation between Behera and the curator.

When: September 19 to 25; 11 AM to 7 PM

Where: Open Palm Court India Habitat Centre, New Delhi