Kamal Ghorui
Raseel Gujral Art Legacy brings to life Dakhin | Dilli- A Sacred Dialogue that celebrates devotional and artistic exchange across India- from the Deccan to the North, at Arzaani Atelier Privé, Bikaner House, New Delhi with a preview on 10th April 2026. Across the expansive canvas of the Indian subcontinent, devotion has etched a luminous and diverse visual culture enabling an intricate dialogue between the divine and the earthly.This exhibition, masterfully curated by Raseel Gujral Ansal, brings together these devotional traditions from North and South India, revealing how distinct artistic languages blossom from a shared wellspring of spiritual imaginations. It is an evocative journey through luminous temple icons, poetic narrative paintings, ritual objects, and guardian figures, each an act of devotion captured in form, colour, and craftsmanship.Carried along ancient pilgrimage routes, woven through vibrant trading networks, and exchanged in the courts and temples, sacred ideas and artistic expressions have travelled ceaselessly between Dakhin and Dilli. The preview was graced by the Minister of Food and Supplies, Forest and Environment, Industries, Manjinder Singh Sirsaand MLA Anil Sharma. Other guests included Manu Mansheet Rai, Nikhil, Sunil Sethi, Nandini Singh Jhabua, Samar Singh Jodha, and Shazia Ilmi to name a few.“Through this curation, we explore the visual language of faith where the intricacies of the South meets the lyrical detailing of the North. It is a celebration of the Sacred; not just as a subject, but as a living and breathing aesthetic that continues to shape our cultural identity,” shares Raseel Gujral Ansal.Depicting the revered traditions of Southern artistic devotion, Tanjore and Mysore painting present the deity as a radiant, eternal presence. Adorned with gold leaf, ornate embellishments, and semi-precious stones, these luminous icons evoke the sanctity of the temple shrine. Some of the iconic Tanjore works on displayinclude the Raghunathan Swami (reclining Vishnu with Sridevi, Bhudevi, Hanuman and Garuda), the Nandi, the Panchmukhi Hanuman, Krishna, Asht laxmi, the Vishnu Dasavataram, to name a few.Complementing these luminous Tanjore icons are the exquisite Mysore Reverse Glass Paintings, a delicate art form that originated in the princely state of Mysore. Created by applying tempera paint to the back of glass panes, these paintings depict divine narratives, deities, and mythological scenes with remarkableprecision and vivid colour. Some of the iconic pieces on display include Yashodha and Krishna, Venugopala, Bala Krishna to name a fewShaped by royal patronage was Raja Ravi Varma’s illustrious artistic journey, during which he worked relentlessly to make the sacred accessible. His printing press also printed oleographs that were the reproductions of the original artworks made by Raja Ravi Varma and brought divine figures into everyday homes. Some of his iconic oleographs on display include Lakshmi, Shree Ram Panchayatan, Saraswati, Mohini, Venu Gopal, Radha Rukmani, to name a few.In the North, devotional forms such as Pichwai animate divine narratives from the pastoral realms of Vrindavan imbued with movement, melody, and poetic fervor. These intricate works evoke a sacred landscape where Krishna moves among devotees, cows, forests, and rivers crafting a realm alive with music, celebration, and heartfelt surrender. Echoing the spirit of the Bhakti movement, on display are the Vintage Khejri, Vintage Sharad, Bhav Mandal, Shrinathji, Krishna Under Kadam Tree with Gopis, Sakhis with Kadam Tree to name a few.Complementing these visual stories are ritual objects, sacred mounts, guardian figures, and icons each embodying the lived and followed practices of devotion. Whether within temple ceremonies, vibrant festivals, or intimate domestic altars, these artifacts embody the tactile, visceral connection that sustains faith beyond the visual.
