Raghav Kaneria's mother was a folk artist. Growing up in Saurashtra region of Gujarat (India), her detailed preparatory embroidery drawings inspired him to pursue art from young age. In the old times of Raja/Maharaja, classical art forms like painting, sculpture, music, vocal, instrumental, dance did well because of the support of the ruling royal class.
In stark contrast, without any financial support or backing of ruling class, not only did folk-art came into existence but flourished and thrived. When it comes to folk-art, tribal culture, traditions, jewelry and clothing, India has enjoyed a very rich and storied history. One can not deny, India has benefited greatly from the advancement in technology and transportation. India’s economy has expanded several folds since independence, and the country has made great strides in the field of science and technology. Cities expanded and came closer to villages. The boundaries between villages and cities blurred. Radio and television became common household center pieces in rural India. Western life and cultural influence started reshaping India’s once unique customs and traditions. No doubt, India as a country has benefited greatly in many ways from this modernization, but along the way, the country lost some of its ancient ways, unique customs, traditions, jewelry, clothing styles, regional decorative and folk-art traditions.
Once he realized what was underway, he started traveling across the country, visiting remote parts and villages to do photographic documentation of rural life, the regional customs and rich traditions, the unique jewelry clothing styles of people as well as various decorative and folk-art forms before they vanish completely. The rural Indian women of the past era played pivotal role in this folk-art movement. These women were the true artists. And this photography exhibition is the artist's humble attempt at paying homage to his mother and all the rest of women folk artists of India.
Following the opening reception, the exhibit will be on view through July 29.
Raghav Kaneria's mother was a folk artist. Growing up in Saurashtra region of Gujarat (India), her detailed preparatory embroidery drawings inspired him to pursue art from young age. In the old times of Raja/Maharaja, classical art forms like painting, sculpture, music, vocal, instrumental, dance did well because of the support of the ruling royal class.
In stark contrast, without any financial support or backing of ruling class, not only did folk-art came into existence but flourished and thrived. When it comes to folk-art, tribal culture, traditions, jewelry and clothing, India has enjoyed a very rich and storied history. One can not deny, India has benefited greatly from the advancement in technology and transportation. India’s economy has expanded several folds since independence, and the country has made great strides in the field of science and technology. Cities expanded and came closer to villages. The boundaries between villages and cities blurred. Radio and television became common household center pieces in rural India. Western life and cultural influence started reshaping India’s once unique customs and traditions. No doubt, India as a country has benefited greatly in many ways from this modernization, but along the way, the country lost some of its ancient ways, unique customs, traditions, jewelry, clothing styles, regional decorative and folk-art traditions.
Once he realized what was underway, he started traveling across the country, visiting remote parts and villages to do photographic documentation of rural life, the regional customs and rich traditions, the unique jewelry clothing styles of people as well as various decorative and folk-art forms before they vanish completely. The rural Indian women of the past era played pivotal role in this folk-art movement. These women were the true artists. And this photography exhibition is the artist's humble attempt at paying homage to his mother and all the rest of women folk artists of India.
Following the opening reception, the exhibit will be on view through July 29.
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Admission is free.
