Zahir Khan curates Shalini Yadav’s art exhibition on gods

Story by ATV | Posted by Aasha Khosa | Date 18-07-2024

Painter Shalini Yadav

New Delhi

In an example of India’s syncretic culture, Shalini Yadav’s solo art exhibition featuring about 40 paintings on Hindu Gods that is due to open for public at Delhi’s Bikaner House Gallery on July 23, is curated by Zahir Khan.

Shalini says, “I am thrilled to express my sincere appreciation for Zahir and the Bikaner House team. Zahir deeply understands and respects my artistic vision, consistently allowing me the space to explore and express myself. His meticulous attention to detail, innovative spirit, and gracious demeanor have made our collaboration successful.”

The exhibition Esh Alekhya, is an ode to the timeless art of traditional Indian devotional painting, which Shalini composed in the last 5 years.

Zahir Khan is a Delhi-based art curator working with Bikaner House. He is a post-graduate from the Indian Institution of Heritage.

One of the paintings of Shalini Yadav

She portrays her reverence for God through a visual delineation in the light of spirituality and reverence. The exhibition is a bard-styled poetic union of multiple energies forming a spiritual undertone.

Zahir Khan, a young curator at Bikaner House did extensive research with Shalini to give a unifying theme to her exhibition. He also provided inputs on the appropriate reflection of her work, the content, and the overall execution of the exhibition.

Zahir says, “Shalini’s artworks are an ode to the rich art and culture of our country. Every work is a testimony to her skill and precision as an artist. Her understanding of traditional art forms combined with childhood folklore, fables, and bedtime stories has refined her artistry. Shalini’s immense reverence for spirituality has shaped her imageries.”

The exhibition is envisioned as a narrative of multiple divine incarnations holistically depicting an ethereal charm. Many paintings depict meticulous details in a range of stories, folklore, and mythological scenes in the background.

Art exhibition curator Zahir Khan

The exhibition's highlight is two huge paintings that herald the artist’s evocative detail and extensive research. Esh Alekhya promises to be a mesmerizing interplay between mythology, storytelling, and art.

This depiction forms a synergy between the devotee and the divine. Shalini believes her spiritual pursuit has stimulated her understanding of divine chronicles. Her works provide an overarching unison of elements yet illustrate a repository of her artistic heterogeneity.

Every artwork is a well-nuanced narrative of Shalini's comprehensive research in harmony with the traditional method of composition by paying attention to details, colors, and elements.She has maintained a striking resemblance to a combination of styles in her paintings yet redefining the art of narration with new sensibilities. The exhibition narrates epic tales of different divine manifestations in the form of Lord Krishna, Vishnu, Ganesha, Hanuman, and Shiva.

One of Shalini Yadav's works

Shalini is a self-taught artist who has taken to study and work on the traditional art forms of India.

Her works reflect an amalgamation of Pichwai, Phad, Patachitra, and similar art forms in India. Shalini recognized the importance of traditional art in bringing about a spiritual pursuit to enhance her artistic abilities.

Shalini’s artistic journey began with her visit to the Bhuri Singh Museum, where she was charmed by Kangra paintings. Shalini was mentored by Padma Shri Vijay Sharma, a veteran of the Pahari School of Miniature Painting.

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She holds a doctorate in Management and works as a professor at Indira Gandhi Technical University. However, her job has not deterred her from exploring the nuances of different art forms. The exhibition will be open from July 20-23.