‘Metamorphosis, Art, Artists & Traditions – Celebration of tribal and folk art of India’

At the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya (CSMVS), Mumbai, we believe in safeguarding and celebrating Indian traditional art—a legacy as vital and fluid as water, flowing from the ancient Indus civilisation to the present day. Traditional folk art, shaped over centuries, has been passed down through generations for the sheer joy it brings and the cultural identity it fosters without the need for self-promotion. The traditional artisans have devoted themselves to their craft for its intrinsic beauty and profound significance within their communities.

Yet, this legacy now stands at a crossroads. While technology provides tools to document and preserve these traditions, it also accelerates mass production, often overshadowing the skill and care that define handcrafted art. As modern pressures erode traditional techniques, the urgency to protect and revitalise them grows stronger. Are we truly documenting this transformation fully and accurately, or are we allowing a centuries-old heritage to fade quietly into obscurity?

As part of the cultural fraternity, we share the responsibility of preserving these art forms and supporting the artists who sustain them. At the Museum, our efforts to acquire and document contemporary folk art help ensure these traditions thrive and inspire future generations. At the same time, as a museum, we must recognise that these artworks are not just artistic expressions but also hold deep emotional value for the communities they originate from, representing living traditions. It is crucial that they are not reduced to mere collectables but are given their due space and respect. Our initiative also complements the Government’s push for skill development and entrepreneurship among traditional artists.

This exhibition ‘Metamorphosis, Art, Artists & Traditions – Celebration of tribal and folk art of India’, of the recently acquired art objects is particularly special as our young curators have curated it—the 2024–25 batch of students enrolled in the ‘CSMVS Postgraduate Diploma in Museology and Conservation,’ affiliated with the University of Mumbai, as part of their curriculum.

Metamorphosis re-examines select artworks, which, until about the last century, would have been called ‘craftwork’ of the unknown practitioners. The Museum brings together works by 21st-century artists who are innovatively reshaping their artistic legacies. Their works demonstrate the adaptability of these traditions, ensuring their relevance in an evolving cultural landscape. These pieces retain the essence of indigenous traditions yet transcend historical boundaries, adapting to modern subjects and the social contexts of the present time. Some artists reinterpret historical motifs to reflect contemporary concerns, while others break new ground by challenging long-standing conventions within their art forms.

Ultimately, this exhibition is a tribute to these artistic traditions and to the artisan families who carry them forward—thereby turning challenges into opportunities for cultural revival.

The Museum has commissioned and purchased these artworks from national award-winning traditional artists and Shilpagurus (master artists and craftsmen) of India.

Artists
Brahmdeo Ram Pandit – Ceramic art
Alima Khatun – Kantha work
Chetan Parshuram Gangavane – Chitrakathi painting
Gitanjali Das – Pattachitra
Anwar Chitrakar – Kalighat painting
Sanjay Manubhai Chitara – Mata ni Pachedi
Kalyan Prasad Joshi – Phad painting
Venkat Raman Singh Shyam – Gond art
Kiran Vinayak Gorwala – Warli art
Jamanalal Kumhar – Molela terracotta art
And other Artists

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to Bank of America for supporting us in this endeavour, which marks the humble beginning of a new chapter in this friendship.