SAHMAT has organised an art exhibition at the Jawahar Bhawan, curated by Aban Raza. What can art do when horror comes calling? What can art do when civilization itself is lost? Brecht too had to confront this nihilistic question when he asked, “In the dark times, will there also be singing?” And the answer came jubilantly f lying, “Yes, there will also be singing. about the dark times.”
And so there’s a flourishing rich treasure of hard-hitting People’s art among us today which questions the racial, socio political & cultural injustices, hatred, divisiveness and oppressive regimes.
Commemorating the 70th glorious year of the Constitution of India SAHMAT is organising an art exhibition, curated
by Aban Raza at the Capital’s Jawahar Bhavan in which various kinds of socio-politically relevant artworks are on display
for the public view.
From the controversial Kashmir imbroglio, Dalit students outcry in the campuses, Anti-CAA-NRC protest to the direct
threat to the Constitution — these artworks encompass the ongoing public outcry against the dictatorial ruling of the
present regime.
And we have found in the last 45 days that it does convey our message very powerfully and effectively,” says Preeti Singh,
a participating artist who studied at College of Art, New Delhi
Preeti participated at both Jantar Mantar and Jamia protests. Another artist Hafsa from Jamia Millia Islamia who wore
an aqua coloured hijaab around her face, said,” Wherever I go, I am constantly asked questions about why I am in hijaab When the protests started, I saw people painting banners and posters with popular lines and quotes of Faiz, Ghalib, Gandhi, Marx, Ambedkar etc.
I too was reminded of this popular couplet of Majaz, “Tere maathey pe ye aanchal bahut hi khoob hai lekin, Tu is aanchal ko ik parcham bana leti to achchha tha,” (This veil on your forehead is beautiful, but it would be even better if you transformed it into a majestic flag). It’s awe-inspiring and thus my calligraphic skills became a medium of expression on a broad banner”, says Hafsa
Art is a key element in contemporary social activism because more often than not, it message across.
