The Magic Makers : Folk and Tribal Arts
Contents: 1. Introduction. 2. Painting. 3. Sculpture. 4. Images from abroad. 5. Tantra. 6. Essay by R. Chatterji. 7. Essay by J. Bowles.
From the Preface: ‘The Magic Makers : Folk and Tribal Arts’ is broadly a catalogue of folk and decorative art objects in the collection of the Arpana Fine Arts Museum. It covers over 520 artifacts representing a wide range of art-forms, themes, styles and mediums, besides cultural and creative aptitudes of common masses world over, India in particular. The entire catalogue has been divided into four sections: painting, sculptures and decorative art objects, images from abroad and Tantra. Elaborate captions to each object and an introductory note on folk art in general apart, all sections have independent essays introducing them. The painting section comprises most of the major folk art-styles, Madhubani, Godana, Midanapur Scrolls, Bengal Folks, Orissa Pata-Chitras, Paithan, glass paintings from Punjab, paintings of tribes like Sauras, Gonds, Hazaribagh Tribes, Warli, Kurumbha, Bhil, …. Whatever their age chronologically, a few years or decades, sculptures and decorative art objects, both representing broad Indian traditions or regional characteristics, are unique in antiqueness and ethnicity. Minuscule beaten-metal statuettes from Bastar, or those rendered using Bastar style, unique in their underlying meaning and revealing a message, comprise the most significant segment of the section. Images from abroad include artifacts from around sixteen countries, mainly Nepal, China, Taiwan, Turkey, Cambodia, Egypt, Mauritius…. Most of the images from abroad are decorative art objects, artistically rendered utility items, votive images and ritual artifacts, the section also has a few excellent Buddhist Thangkas and Mandalas. Decorative or utility artifacts, they reveal a mind that craves to adorn. Apart a few three-dimensional Tantrika objects - Yantra zand ritual articles, the Tantra section comprises a wide range of Trantrika paintings manifesting various Tantrika innovations - deity-forms and modes of practicing. Tantra, a concept somewhat difficult, has a more elaborate and extremely simplified introductory note. Apart, each object has a detailed caption which unfolds its underlying mysticism and meaning.”
