Art of Modern India

The book lucidly explains how the current artistic renaissance came about in an old country steeped in traditionalism, and one which had endured foreign rule for two centuries. The coming of independence created an uninhibited context for the long‑dormant Indian creative genius to flower once again. From the late forties, India embarked on a quest for identity that was new, and yet would reflect the ethos of its ancient heritage. Since then, experimenting, exploring and forgiving individual styles, Indian artists have quietly brought about what may aptly be described as a charmed revolution in Indian art. The results of this revolution, as yet little known in the West and seen here in over 130 colour reproductions, connect India's timeless tribal and folk art with developments in twentieth‑century Western art in ways are as Indian in spirit as they are universal in appeal.