A new exhibition titled Bhakti: The Art of Krishna is currently on display at the Nita Mukesh Ambani Cultural Centre in Mumbai. This showcase features a wide range of artistic interpretations of Lord Krishna, spanning traditional to contemporary styles.
The exhibit opens with a dramatic 1890 painting by Raja Ravi Varma, titled The Birth of Krishna. The piece, which portrays baby Krishna concealed within his father Vasudeva’s red robes, is part of the Royal Gaekwad Collection from the Lakshmi Vilas Palace in Vadodara, Gujarat. This nearly life-size work sets the stage for exploring Krishna’s journey through art.
Curated by Ashvin Rajagopalan, director of the Piramal Art Foundation, the exhibition includes 107 artworks, including paintings, sculptures, and artifacts that explore various myths and legends associated with Krishna. Highlights of the exhibition include two significant paintings by Manjit Bawa depicting Krishna’s relationship with Radha and a contemporary piece by Raqib Shaw.
Among the unique artifacts is a four-piece silver tea set by P. Orr & Sons, dating back to the mid-19th century. Originally part of the collection of Sotirios Bulgari, founder of the luxury fashion house Bvlgari, this set illustrates the Jagannath chariot festival from Puri, Odisha.
The exhibition offers a rich visual exploration of Krishna’s cultural impact across different artistic periods.
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