The Concept of Tradition: And Other Essays

This volume delves into how art reflects the ever-evolving relationship between humanity and nature, exploring industrialization’s impact on cultural practices and memory.

In The Concept of Tradition and Other Essays, K. G. Subramanyan explores questions about art and tradition, such as whether tradition is more than a mere linear progression of artifacts and ideas. He also explores how art reflects on the evolving relationship between nature and humanity and the impact industrialization has had on our aesthetic sensibilities. He interrogates the structures that transmit cultural knowledge across generations while exploring whether tradition can serve as a viable framework for human endeavor in modern society. Subramanyan brings his trademark candor, lucidity, and wisdom to these reflections and responses.

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 Moving Focus: Essays on Indian Art and Living Tradition: Perspectives on Modern Indian Art, both also published by Seagull Books.