Prof. Dr Manjula Chaturvedi
“Art History of Jammu and Kashmir” is not only devoted to the antiquarian studies but a focused attempt is made to compile the erstwhile oral history of modern art into a text version.
Art as we understand is a symbolic expression of an era. It is the element of proactive sociological criterion that art becomes an insignia of time and space. A walk-through into the realms of art history, we tend to understand that the human being has always readily laid his hands on to any medium that facilitated his creative endeavours. Scattered antiquities spread across the state of J & K come a long way to answer the missing links of the time. As a consequence, it is due to the intrinsic quality of ‘agelessness’ in a work of art that human expressions tend to reveal the saga of human advancements corroborating history of thousands of years. Therefore it is in the act of delving into the artistic expression that the aesthetic articulation of the composition holds the merit of timelessness.
Present volume entitled “Concise Art History of Jammu and Kashmir with a critical annotation on the genesis and development of modern art” is not only devoted to the antiquarian studies but is a focused attempt to compile the erstwhile oral history of modern art into a text version. Records of tenable incidents and events, focussing the progression and practice of modern art in J&K state, have been accounted for. The work shall, to a great extent, satisfy the long pending academic requirement of the students of Fine Arts, Archaeology, Tourism and History.
Part 1st of the book is truly dedicated to the ancient cultural developments in art. While tracing the development of artistic expressions, the author has dealt with the tricky and intricate influences that lay stacked on the rundles of the cultural mosaic of the region. Also the interpretations drawn by Dr. Khosa from the extracts of socio-political and cultural history, confirms that the state of Jammu and Kashmir had become a cultural conduit and a melting pot of different cultures. Surviving archaeological evidences from the numerous valleys of the state therefore serve as one of the most important attesting evidence of the history. Being intensely strong in feelings, these artistic delineations over the ages represent cultural updates. It is due to the element of pro-active sociological merit that art becomes a sign and symbol of times.
A preview of these artistic renditions found on the walls of Hindu-Buddhist monastic establishments or in the form of stray posts of artistic references, these works of art provide an insight into the gambol of cultural complexities. The existing archaeological remains bear a rich pluralistic traditionalism of various societies that contributed significantly in the cultural development of the region.
While as part 2nd of the book covers a period of last 100 years. It is during this period of history that the state of J&K has been exposed to many influences that brought changes in the socio-political and cultural setup of the state. History stands a witness to the events of consequential nature and one such momentous happening in the field of art history is the establishment of Modern Art. In order to know about the genesis and development of the art, the author had to dedicate more than two decades to understand variety of derivations and influences that got associated with the artists of the state who in due course of time joined the pool of global community of creative artists.
It is a matter of satisfaction according to the author “that the Academy of Art, Culture and Languages has, over the years, been able to build up a rich collection of Modern Art. It has been hosting art camps and workshops as its routine annual activity. Galaxy of eminent artists have not only participated in routine yearly calendar but have also participated in art camps of the Academy. To name just a few veterans like Bendre, Swaminathan, Shanko Choudhry, S.H.Raza, Gulam Sheikh, MF.Hussain, Ramachandran, Ramkumar, Manu Parikh, Paramjit Singh, S.R.Bushan have participated in these camps. These masters have not only left behind works of great importance but they have also left tangible impact on the psyche of the state artists. In fact cultural academy, as part of the strategy to boost the local artistic talent, would invite their participation also. It is also due to these efforts that the Academy of Art Culture and Languages, has over a period of sixty years, been able to document all the practicising modern artists of the first generation like S.N.Bhat, Trilok Koul, G.R.Santosh, Kishori Kaul, Nisar Aziz, Bansi Parimoo, P.N.Kachroo, M.Sadiq, Suraj Tikoo, Mohan Raina and others.
It is a fact of history that Triloke Kaul’s struggle to achieve academic excellence and his die-hard commitment to attain the highest goal in the modern artistic pursuits, led him to seek admission in the department of painting, M.S.University, Baroda, in the early fifties. His one-man and two man shows at Jehangir Art Gallery at Bombay, opened flood gates for the students of Jammu and Kashmir to this new subject. As a pillar post, Triloke Kaul also served a source of inspiration for the next generation of artists. Those who got influenced by him during early 60s became the future artists of significance. Among the significant contributors to this trend like Kishori Koul, Bushan Koul, Gayoor Hussan, Gokul Dembi, A.R.John, Vijay Gupta, V.R. Khajuria, A.K.Raina, Shiban Kaw, Rajender Patwari, T.S.Batra and M.A.Mahboob are quite note worthy. Most of them got trained at Baroda and elsewhere thus inherited the richness of expression from N.S.Bendre, K.G.Subramanium, Shanku Choudry and others.
During seventies, local artists after finishing their academic training in some leading art colleges of the country joined IMFA in the capacity of teachers and instructors in various departments like Painting, Sculpture and Applied arts etc. These included artists like Late Vijay Gupta, V.R Khajuria, Gayoor Hassan, Bushan Kaul, Abdul Rashid John, Gokal Dembi, Rajinder Patwari, S.K.Kaw, T.S. Batra and Masood Hussain. These not only practiced art but also taught a number of students whose works are categorised as the contemporary artists like M.K. Bhat, Vijay Saraf, Rajinder Tiku, Shaiqa Mohi, Bashir Shora, Shuja Sultan, Ashok Mehra, Nasreen Shazadi, Aftab Ahmed, Bushan Kesar, Shabir Mirza and many others. Lately artists like Shafi Chaman, Harshvardan Sharma, Ravinder Jamwal and others joined the bandwagon and became part of these institutions to contribute actively in the fields of art”.
Artists of the State today, like their contemporaries elsewhere inside and outside the country, share a totality of human thought, beliefs and accomplishments in their creations (i.e. sculpture, paintings, graphics etc.). Their works may reflect an intimate perception of things or larger messages expressed through a visual language which is both individualistic and universal.
(The author is Dean Faculty of Arts Kashi Vidhya Peeth Varanasi)
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