Rare and Provocative Religious Imagery at Bangkok Gallery

BANGKOK POST

THAILAND - Bringing together three modern Indian artists from different backgrounds, Serinda Gallery presents its latest exhibition, "Tales of Love and Betrayal". The ancient Ramayana tale is presented as a contemporary epic through the eyes of Hindu, Christian and Muslim artists. Anand Gadapa, a painter born to a Brahmin family in southern India, introduces the viewer to the demon character Ravana, delving into his past and the forces that turned his heart to darkness. Nirmala Biluka, a Christian known for her commentaries on the role of women in Indian society, explores the character of Sita from a feminist perspective by revealing the divine power she embodies in the epic and which is often suppressed by the powerful men around her. Finally, a rare and provocative series made in 1981 by the late, great grandfather of modern Indian art, MF Husain (1915-2011), presents the monkey god Hanuman as a self-doubting but supremely powerful being who represents the modern-day superhero. [link]