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This month's snippet takes you back to 1978 when the Institute decided to install artwork on the campus. Haku Shah (1934-2019), the noted artist, was at that time installing folk art in public places such as traffic junctions. Working in collaboration with him, the Institute's architect Anant Raje arranged for some terracotta objects of Indian folk art, specifically tribal art, to be installed on the campus. We present three photos from January 1980 that illustrate these objects. In the first, you will see a collection of terracotta votive figurines from the tribal areas of north Gujarat, placed between the 'Harvard' steps and the library. Look closely, and see if you can spot horned bulls, elephants and horses. The other two photos present a view of the entrance to the Students' Mess with two large terracotta horses on the left, and a close-up of the horses. The Institute also installed some art and craft work in the Library: a set of large applique panels by Saroj Lal (an Ahmedabad-based, mill worker's wife who was supported by Haku Shah); a large Pabuji-ki-Phad painted scroll, depicting the story of the Rajasthani folk deity, Pabuji; and a wheeled dowry chest (wood and metal, western Indian). |
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