The Shalva Amiranashvili Museum of Fine Arts is presenting works of contemporary Indian Warli folk art by
Babita Biswas.
The exhibition, featuring Warli paintings, which originate in the western Indian state of Maharashtra,
kicked off on June 21 and will last until July 20, 2011.
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| Invitation by Embassy |
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| Invitation by Museum |
The ceremony opened General Director of the Georgian National Museum Prof. David Lordkipanidze aong with Ambassador of India to Armenia and Georgia, Mr Achal K. Malhotra. There were guests from different embassies, from government and international organizations along with Lela Tsitsuashvili curator of museum .
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| General Director of the Georgian National Museum Prof. David Lordkipanidze, Ambassador of India to Armenia and Georgia, Mr Achal K. Malhotra and Lela Tsitsuashvili curator of museum . | | | |
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It’s the first time that contemporary Indian Warli folk art has been on display in Georgia. The event is co-organized by the Indian Embassy in Georgia and is sponsored by the Indian Council for Cultural Relations.
According to the Ambassador of India to Georgia and Armenia, Mr. Achal Malhotra, India and Georgia have very recently signed a cultural cooperation agreement. “Under this agreement we will be creating a program appreciation and under this program appreciation, we will decide on various exchanges between India and Georgia in the field of art and culture. The exchanges will aim to improve exhibitions and collaboration between the museums,” he noted.
Davit Lortkipanidze, General Director of the National Museum of Georgia, says that there are some Indian exhibits at the National Museum, but they are not contemporary patterns. “So it’s very pleasant for our museum to present the modern art of India, which has great tradition. They are quite nice and make you think about the connection between people and nature,” said Lortkipanidze, as he also expressed gratitude to the Indian embassy for organizing the event.
Babita Biswas has depicted Krishna, one of the central figures of Hinduism and the saga of immortal love through Warli folk art.
“My goal is to keep this ancient art-form alive by painting themes that are relevant. …I’ve been fortunate in finding encouragement from the local audience for my efforts”, writes Babita Biswa on her blog.
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| Artist Babita Biswas at her studio in India |
Warlis are an Indian indigenous peoples living in the Thana district of Maharashtra, in simple dwellings of clay and reed plastered with cow dung. They paint on their courtyard during marriages and other times of festivity. They also paint about their life, festivals, and Gods. The Warli paintings are simple yet extremely expressive.
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| Ambassador of India to Armenia and Georgia, Mrs & Mr Achal K. Malhotra along with visitor. |
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| Ambassador of India to Armenia and Georgia, Mr Achal K. Malhotra with Lela Tsitsuashvili curator of museum . | |
“These paintings are colorful and suitable for the summer season. Some of them look like as though they are embroidered,” said Irina Baramidze, a Tbilisi resident who visited the exhibition. “Positive energy comes from them.” By Nino Gelashvili 23.06.2011 |
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