Sumant is curator of Chitrashala, his private museum of rare and vintage Indian graphic art.
Chitrashala is a museum of rare vintage graphics from India, dating from the turn of the nineteenth century through the twentieth century. On display in its galleries are hundreds of dazzling masterpieces of visual art heritage from the personal collection of Sumant Batra. The stunning and curious graphics, rich and colourful in texture, offer a fascinating glimpse into the vast history of Indian mainstream popular culture and its traditional novelties. Ranging from the strident melodrama of the commercial Hindi movies posters to the numerous interpretations of the Hindu Gods in the religious calendars, the museum covers a wide range of graphic expression. Skillfully illustrated, at time, with a naive yet irresistible charm, the diverse array of graphics subtly reflects ideas of language and cultural exchange. The museum unfolds as a suggestive history of ephemera.
chitrashala
