'Looking at Indian art from western perspective must change'

NEW DELHI: Even as Indian art is gradually beginning to be recognised globally and local artists are seen at art fairs across the world, focused efforts like building more museums, imparting art education in schools and producing good art books is the need of the hour, say experts.

"Art from India is represented in art fairs in Dubai Brazil, Shangai etc but it is still a drop in the ocean. We need to do much more to be at par internationally," says Sushma Bahl, an independent arts adviser, writer, and curator of cultural projects.

Bahl was in conversation last evening with Indian ambassador to Bhutan, Pavan K Verma discussing her recently launched book "5000 Years of Indian Art" in the presence of ICCR President chairman Karan Singh.

"A year ago during an international conference in Dublin, delegates who were discussing art from across the world failed to mention anything about India. When asked they pointed out that they could not find enough good books on art from India," says Bahl.
"The western myopic way of looking at Indian art should change," says the author whose recent book published by Roli Books provides a view of Indian art beginning from pre- historic times.

It moves on to Vedic and Buddhist traditions, Hindu and Jain temple art sculpture and medieval period artefacts, Mughal miniature painting, colonial and modern Indian art.