When speaking of the great figures of myths and epics across the world, it is often their protagonists who come to mind. It is Rama who embodies the Ramayana, and Odysseus who is foremost in the Odyssey. One of the newer exhibits at Bengaluru’s Museum of Art and Photography (MAP) is “In Celestial Company”, a collection of sculptures and similar artwork that focuses on the accompanying characters in Indian tales – from the vehicles of gods and their attendants to demigods and spirits.
Many of these are wooden sculptures from the 19th and 20th centuries – of Vishnu’s mount Garuda, or Airavata, the great elephant ridden by Indra. Those familiar with Christian and Islamic iconography may also recognise a depiction of angel Gabriel, while other pieces run the gamut from paintings to textile art.
Curator Priya Chauhan said with regard to the selection process behind the exhibit, “It was a nod to the point the exhibition is trying to make… once you start noticing these otherwise deemed ‘supporting’ figures, you realise they are everywhere and that no story is complete without them. They form an indispensable part of mythology, proving even the divine does not work in isolation – and makes you wonder about the ecosystem beyond the world of mythology, about life in general… the process of selection was more intentional in terms of displaying a broad variation in the kinds of figures, the different mediums, range of stories and grey areas, and a range of new and old works.”
The pieces in question are mostly selected from MAP’s own collection, with the pieces obtained either directly through acquisitions or donated by various collectors and museum patrons. Some items find crossovers with other exhibits at the museum – such as a textile ticket from the British textile trade.
With regard to visitors at the exhibit, the organisers said they were hoping that the “…people leave a little more curious. A little more aware of what they don’t see. And with a renewed love for stories hidden in the folds of history but taking it beyond the museum space and into their own lives, seeing how important the roles that margins play in the ecosystem there too.”
Visitors can view “In Celestial Company” after purchasing a ticket for Rs 100 to the relevant gallery at the Museum of Art and Photography. Admission to the gallery is free on Tuesday, and the exhibit will be open to visitors until February 15.
