Master's Last Works: Bhil Traditions Bloom

The exhibition "Sandhya Raga" at Shridharani, Delhi, celebrates the enduring legacy of artist A. Ramachandran, who passed away over a year ago. His artistic journey, which began in the 1970s with a focus on the Bhil people of Udaipur, was characterized by a deliberate departure from European artistic conventions in favor of an authentic Indian idiom. This collection features his final paintings, drawings, and sculptures, offering a multi-layered exploration of Indian philosophical principles.

Ramachandran's large-scale works, such as "Pilgrimage to Obeshwar," vividly depict Bhil maidens intertwined with nature, portraying them as mythical beings and tree nymphs. His "Eklingji series" further highlights his deep connection to the vernacular and the vibrant cultural fabric of forest-dwelling communities. Critic Ella Datta notes that Ramachandran provided a profound alternative vision of humanity, deeply connected to the organic rhythms of life in contrast to modern technological culture.

The exhibition also showcases his mastery over color and form in his lotus pond studies, fusing miniature and modernist styles. His drawings include poignant self-portraits, reflecting an artist's ironic introspection. This retrospective underscores Ramachandran's significant contribution to modern Indian art, emphasizing the importance of everyday reality, the centrality of women in his subjects, and the reclamation of indigenous beauty within a modernist framework.