Devil is in the Details: Curated by Supriya Lahoti Gandhi & Jayesh Mathur

Indian art has traditionally manifested itself not only through magnificent architectural wonders, wall murals, and sculpture but also in the nuanced intricacies of miniature painting. Indian miniature paintings serve as a visual lexicon of the subcontinent’s collective memory—its narratives, symbolism, artistic ingenuity, and creative consciousness. Over the centuries, this tradition has seen numerous regional styles and variations, yet a shared commitment to meticulous detail remains at the heart of the genre.

These small-sized works were traditionally intended to be viewed in hand rather than displayed on the wall, in a frame as we do today; holding these pieces allowed for an intimate, tactile connection between the viewer and the artwork.

In classical miniatures, what stands out is the extraordinary detailing, inviting them to be inspected and enjoyed up close, with in the personal space of the beholder — whether in capturing the emotive qualities of Ragamala paintings that visualize musical moods, or in illustrating the grandeur of epics like the Ramayana and Mahabharata. These details offer emotional cues and create a visual rhythm that anchors the narrative.

Today, this tradition continues to resonate in Indian visual arts, with contemporary artists reinterpreting its legacy across a wide range of media—textile, metal, papercut, and painting. From motifs and palettes to narrative themes and compositional approaches, the visual memory of miniature painting informs the language of modern artistic expression in the subcontinent.

These works do not merely reference the miniature - they question, expand, and translate its language for a modern context.

Drawing a dialogue between classical tradition and contemporary practice, the exhibition traces the lineage of Indian miniature painting alongside contemporary artists who reinterpret its visual language, philosophies, and forms. The exhibition invites a deeper gaze—one that sees contemporary works no tin isolation, but as part of a living, layered visual continuum.