The formidable Himalayas have been a witness to several historical events. Explorers, travellers, monks and traders moved in the region unearthing hidden narratives and treasures. ‘Monks, Traders And Travellers’, is a second in a four-part series by India International Centre (IIC) ‘The Himalaya: A Timeless Quest’, that looks at the region through its geography, culture, myths, religion and people. The first exhibition in the series —Geographies: Physical And Sacred — was held in July.
The latest in the series includes paintings, photographs, maps, objects; texts, audio recordings and films will be accompanied by talks and discussions on some key issues related to the mountain ranges. “The idea is to sensitise people to the damage that is being done to the Himalayas,” says Deb Mukharji, who is displaying 10 photographs along with write-ups on eight Indian travellers, pilgrims and Western explorers of the Himalayas. The section features a black and white image of the Nathu La mountain pass, taken by Deb Mukharji in 1959; Taktsang, one of Bhutan’s most sacred sites built around the Taktsang Senge Samdup cave where Guru Padmasambhava is believed to have meditated in the 8th Century; Lo Gekar, believed to be the oldest Tibetan monastery and the birthplace of Tibetan Buddhism located in Upper Mustang in Nepal and several other photographs taken by Deb Mukherjee.
The second section of the exhibition comes from scholar Chhaya Bhattacharya-Haesner who will have photographs and text based on the interactions between Kashmir, Ladakh and Khotan and also artifacts, documents and objects of trade from the collection of the Munshi Aziz Bhat Museum of Central Asian and Kargil Trade Artifacts. Also on the cards is a lecture on the “Intimate Artistic Links Between The Art Of Ladakh And Central Asia With Special Reference To Alchi and Khotan Respectively” by Chhaya. A film by Manju Kak, “They Who Walked Mountains” based on the Bhotia trading communities of Kumaon, will be screened on December 26. The writer, art historian and filmmaker has curated the section of the salt traders and woodcarvers of Kumaon.
(“Monks, Traders And Travellers” will be on at the Art Gallery, Kamaladevi Complex, India International Centre, 40, Max Mueller Marg, from 19-30 December)
