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Epic Tales from Ancient India: Paintings from the San Diego Museum of Art

Exhibitions
MAJOR EXHIBITION

Epic Tales from Ancient India: Paintings from the San Diego Museum of Art

OPENS
July 09, 2017
CLOSES
October 01, 2017
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About the Exhibition

Abduction, betrayal and heroic battles. Larger-than-life stories depicted with the miniaturist’s delicacy of touch and vibrant colors. This exhibition is drawn from the San Diego Museum of Art’s Edwin Binney 3rd Collection of Indian paintings. The images provide a compelling introduction to classic Indian and Persian texts: Ramayana, Bhagavata Purana, Ragamala, and the Persian Book of Kings, Shahnameh.  Although most of the paintings depict scenes of epic adventure, images related to the Ragamala provide a change of pace; this text deals with a range of specific musical modes and the varied emotions they convey.  There’s something for everyone—bring the kids!

This exhibition is organized by the San Diego Museum of Art.
Generous support for this exhibition at the Blanton is provided by an anonymous donor.

Installation Photography

Public Programs

Artist-in-Residence: Aruna Kharod
Saturdays and Sundays: 1:00 – 4:00 p.m.

Aruna Kharod is a graduate student in UT’s ethnomusicology program and has studied bharatanatyam classical dance for ten years. Come watch her perform stories and dances related to paintings in the exhibition each week throughout the course of the exhibition. All performances take place in the gallery and are suitable for all ages.

Arnab Chakrabarty, sarod
Pandit Sanju Sahai, tabla
Thursday, September 21 – 6:30 p.m. (concert in the auditorium)
Friday, September 22 – 12:00 p.m. (demonstration/lecture in the gallery)

On September 21, the acclaimed U.K.-based musicians will perform a set of classical ragas on sarod and tabla, traditional instruments of South Asia. The September 22 event will allow visitors to participate in an interactive demonstration and discussion with the musicians.

Arnab Chakrabarty, based in Leeds, U.K.,  is one of the youngest and most renowned sarod players today, having performed around the globe to considerable acclaim. Pandit Sanju Sahai is a sought-after tabla player of distinguished musical lineage; he has performed at prestigious venues including Carnegie Hall and the Sydney Opera House.

Presented in partnership with SOHARA.

Peter Brooks’ Mahabharata     
Thursday, September 28 – 6 p.m. (in the auditorium)
Come enjoy a screening of Peter Brook’s 1989 film adaptation of the Indian epic (171 minutes).

Music in the Exhibition

Related Events

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Image Credits

Asavari Ragini of Sri (detail), about 1650
Central India, Malwa
Opaque watercolor and gold on paper
Edwin Binney 3rd Collection, 1990.950

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