Gallery Veda presents DAKSHINAPATHA: A SOUTHERN ODYSSEY from October 10th to 25th November ’15
Gallery Veda presents Dakshinapatha – A Southern Odyssey from 10th October to 25th November ’ 15, at Rutland Gate 5th St, Srirampuram, Thousand Lights, Chennai, Tamil Nadu 600006. The launch of Dakshinapatha – A Southern Odyssey was attended by Anita Ratnam and other art enthusiasts.
The history of South India has an intriguing story. On one hand, there were the kingdoms and royalties and their wars and on the other, their patronage to art and culture. The region witnessed both the rules of ruthless warriors and benevolent dictators which were eventually washed away by the growing effects of the French and British colonialism. However, the socio-economic structure kept adapting to these ongoing changes in its political arena while evolving culturally throughout the ages.
Unfortunately, no one will ever experience that world again. The traditional style of Indian art rarely included realistic depiction of the landscape. The few remaining visual records of it are hence of great interest. This exotic collection is illustrative of medieval South India as seen by the Europeans of the time. It is a collection of footprints from the past, giving its viewers a rare journey through the southern states of India as they existed from the late 1700s to the mid 1800s.
The show is a collection of aquatints, engravings and lithographs which take its viewers on a journey of unmapped territory, local wars, remote hill forts, buildings that have disappeared, pristine landscapes, religious processions, roads traversed by elephant and horse carriages and palkis, the simple livelihood of the fishermen and farmers, religious iconography, south Indian flora and fauna, early maps and rare books.
A panoramic view of the Seringapatam war and Tippoo Sultan, Fishermen off the coast of Coromondal, Pagoda at Madura, Government House at Fort St. George, Madras, to name a few. Also included are scenic views of the Malabar coast, Madras, Pondicherry, Bangalore, Mysore, Hyderabad, Cumbaconam, Trichnopally, Golconda, Bejapore, and many more.
The show comprises of brilliant illustrators including Thomas and Willam Daniell, Robert Ker Porter, Mather Brown, Alex Soltykoff, Henry Salt, Edward Orme, Col. Douglas Hamilton, Thomas Anburey, R.H. Colebrooke, James Fergusson, James Hunter, Eugene Burnouf, James Forbes, N. Wallich, Rodrigues, Col. Ward, Capt Allen, Capt. Peacock, McCurdy.
The show also contains rare maps showing the various southern kingdoms as they existed before British and French colonialism. The rarest book is a 16the century depiction of flora on the Malabar Coast in two volumes with about 100 plates. Also included are rare early books on Chalukyan Architecture, South Indian Bronzes, and History of Travancore as well as musical instruments.
The collection comprise of about 200 works which have been hand-picked and carefully curated to give an extremely rare and holistic view of South India. This would, probably be a major portion all the works on Southern India that exist outside museums.
The show is curated to provide Indians with a once in a lifetime opportunity to own a piece of history at an affordable price. Almost ¾ of the show is priced between Rs. 10,000-50,000. The entire show is non-exportable to ensure that history of India is preserved in Indian households.
Show Dates: From October 10th to 25th November ‘15
Timing: 08 AM – 06 PM
Address: Gallery Veda, Rutland Gate 5th St, Srirampuram, Thousand Lights, Chennai, Tamil Nadu 600006.
Phone: 044 4309 0422
