Living Temples II in Hyderabad: An exhibition of art, architecture and heritage weaves

A 32-foot-long scroll by artist K G Narendra Babu is a scene stealer at the Living Temples II exhibition at the EkChitra art gallery in Hyderabad. The scroll, when juxtaposed with some of his smaller ink drawings in the form of temple chariots, shows how the artist has used the expanse of the scroll to present more free-flowing forms of animals, human forms and sculptures inspired by temple architecture.

“I was fascinated to learn that this is one of the recent scrolls by the 67-year-old artist,” says Annapurna Madipagida, curator and founder of the gallery.

The second edition of Living Temples continues the ethos with which she hosted the inaugural edition in Hyderabad more than a year ago, bringing together paintings, sculptures, installations and multimedia works.

The new exhibition features more than 100 artworks by more than 30 artists. “The subject is vast and the intent is to bring together work of artists, conservation architects and photographers who have been engaging with temple art and architecture for years,” she says.

The exhibition works like a window into the architecture and heritage of temples across India. A series of photographs by Sanjay Das documents the forgotten terracotta temples of Bengal, some of which have been ravaged by time.

Himmat Gayri’s collection of pen on paper pulp artworks presents vignettes from Rajasthan’s folk tales. Debasish Das’s turquoise-hued installations recreate signature architectural styles from the temples and palaces of Rajasthan.

Conservation architect Parnavi Bangar’s illustrations recreate the ancient ruins of Hampi, as though to present viewers with a complete picture of the pillars and temples as they would look if restoration were carried out.

For students of art, a book of drawings by Rohini Kumar is also on display, documenting his impressions of Hampi during his days as an art student engaged in a field trip to the ruins.

Amar Ramesh, Janardhana Rao Havanje, Ramesh Gorjala, Sangam Vankhade, Shastha Swarup Trayambak, Subhendu Mishra, Thillai Natarajan and Vipul Haldar are among the other participating artists.

As an extension of the focus on temples and cultural heritage, the exhibition features heritage weaves by Aikyatha. On the pallu of one sari is a handwoven image of the Brihadeeswara temple in Thanjavur, in gold thread zari thread. On the pallu of another silk sari is an image representing the Madurai Meenakshi Sundareswarar thirukalyanam.

Aikyatha has also displayed handwoven Kanchi silks inspired by M.S. Subbulakshmi’s collection of saris, including one in the famous ‘MS Blue’. “The collection was developed with the help of MS amma’s great granddaughters and it took eight iterations to get the perfect blue sari,” says Annapurna.

The month-long exhibition will host a history-reminiscence workshop by Parnavi, a book presentation by Sanjay Das, a session on temple conservation in the Chambal Valley with K.K. Mohammed, a discussion on Indian temple architecture with D.N.V. Prasad Sthapathy, and a Kerala mural workshop by artist Sumesh.

(Living Temples II is on view at EkChitra art gallery, HITEC City, till November 29. For details of workshops and sessions, check @livingtemple_ekchitra on Instagram)