The Living Tradition: Perspectives on Modern Indian Art

An engaging exploration of the quest for individuality within the rich tapestry of artistic traditions, by one of India’s best-known artists.

＂The fulfillment of a modern Indian artist’s wish to be part of a living tradition, i.e. to be individual and innovative, without being an outsider in his own culture, will not come of itself, it calls for concerted effort.＂

In Living Tradition, a critical study of modern Indian art as it has evolved through continuous interaction with several traditions--foreign and indigenous--K. G. Subramanyan, one of India’s most celebrated artists, offers a theoretical groundwork for that ＂concerted effort.＂ In the course of his study, he explores the distinctions between Indian and European traditions, the continuities in India’s folk traditions, and the attempts of several thinkers and artists to identify an Indian artistic tradition or to deny it altogether in a quest for personal expression or universality. With over seventy-five illustrations in color complementing Subramanyan’s thought-provoking essay, Living Tradition provides readers with a visually engaging exploration of the vibrant tapestry of Indian art.

Subramanyan played a pivotal role in shaping India’s artistic identity after Independence. Mani-da, as he was fondly called, seamlessly blended elements of modernism with folk expression in his works, spanning paintings, murals, sculptures, prints, set designs, and toys. Beyond his visual artistry, his writings have laid a solid foundation for understanding the demands of art on the individual. In the year of his centenary, Seagull is proud to publish his writings in special new editions.

K. G. Subramanyan (1924-2016) was one of India’s most respected artists. He worked with diverse media and materials, exhibiting extensively both within and outside the country. He was part of the arts faculty at M. S. University, Baroda, and was professor emeritus at the Kala Bhavan Center at Visva-Bharati University in Santiniketan, India. In 2012, he received the Padma Vibhushan, India’s second-highest civilian award, for his outstanding contribution to the arts. His other books include Magic of Making: Essays on Art and Culture and The Creative Circuit, both also published by Seagull Books.