Discovering mythology all over again
Shobhana likes to explore alternative representation of the Indian mythology
Temple art has fascinated art enthusiasts for long. Mysore paintings are symbolism-rich, intricate traditional art form that once graced the temples and palaces of the centuries-old Wadiyar Dynasty. Shobana Udayasankar, who specialises in this traditional art form, will be displaying her work, “The Royal Art: A Showcase of Mysore Paintings,” in the capital from August 26.
“I chose to devote myself to this art form for two reasons — I completely love the intricate work and enjoy the challenging mix of perfection, patience and diligence that it requires,” she says.
The collection is based on the premise that India’s rich mythological heritage has a wider audience, as evident from the spread and survival of popular themes such as the Ramayana in art forms native to other Asian countries, including Indonesia and Thailand.
The pieces in the collection are based on tales and events occurring in various mythological texts, including the Puranas. The Samudra Manthana or Churning of the Ocean features over 50 individual figures, including “The Wedding of Girija (Parvathi) and Shiva” and “Kama-Kameswari”. “I like to explore alternative representations of our mythology. For example, rare scenes from the Ramayana, such as Sita teaching the taraka mantra to Hanuman. Such representations give us a completely different view of the characters, without losing sight of the deeper meaning of our legacy,” she adds.
Post new comment