Siddhartha Tagore Art Konsult proudly presents The Written Canvas: Letters to Keshav Malik from Artists and Thinkers, an extraordinary exhibition commemorating the birth centenary of the distinguished art critic, poet, and Padma Shri awardee, Keshav Malik. This special exhibition, unveiling on Monday, November 4, 2024, at 6:00 p.m. at the Annexe Art Gallery, India International Centre, will be inaugurated by Padma Vibhushan Dr. Karan Singh, former Member of the Rajya Sabha, statesman, philosopher, and ambassador.
The exhibition assembles a rare and intimate collection of letters exchanged between Malik and renowned cultural figures, chronicling his profound impact on Indian art and intellectual thought. This curated selection features personal correspondences with celebrated artists, writers, and thinkers including Balraj Sahni, Bejan Daruwalla, Biren De, Gayatri Sinha, Harivansh Rai Bachchan, Jehangir Sabavala, Jogen Choudhury, K.G. Subramanyan, Krishen Khanna, Lee Waisler, Mahirwan Mamtani, Nissim Ezekiel, Pritish Nandy, Prof. Lokesh Chandra, Rameshwar Broota, Samik Bandyopadhyay, Sankho Chaudhary, Sisir Kumar Ghosh, F.N. Souza, Suniti Kumar Chatterji, Tambimuttu, and many others. Through these correspondences, viewers gain a unique insight into the values, beliefs, and artistic conversations that helped shape Indian art and culture.
“Personal letters are powerful records of social and cultural history. They reflect the thoughts, concerns, and beliefs of their time, revealing the values, understanding, and even biases of those who penned them,” remarked Usha Malik. “The exhibits here stand as a testimony to this.”
Keshav Malik’s legacy lives on in his remarkable ability to inspire creativity through his writings and deep relationships within the artistic community. Siddhartha Tagore of Art Konsult noted, “Keshav Malik’s contributions to Indian art criticism and culture were monumental. His deep understanding of Indian aesthetics and global artistic movements allowed him to write critiques known for their insightful analysis, blending traditional and modern elements. Over several decades, his work explored not only the formal aspects of art but also its philosophical and social dimensions. He remains an influential voice in the Indian art scene.”
The was curated by Gaurav Kumar exhibitionn Kumar and inaugurated by Dr. Karan Singh. Esteemed attendees included artists Jatin Das, Nupur Kundu, Jyoti Kapur, Samar Jodha, Kalicharan, Prem Singh, and Jagdish Chander, who came together to celebrate Keshav Malik’s enduring legacy.
This event honors a figure whose life and work have left an indelible mark on Indian art and culture, inspiring future generations to embrace the depth and richness of artistic expression.