A Sneak Peek Into The 'Viraasat' Of Seema Sethi's Art Inspired By Indian Culture

Art exists in multiple forms and has the power to inspire any soul. Picking her ‘prerna’ from Indian monuments and mother nature, Seema Sethi made her sole debut with Viraasat in New Delhi.

Viraasat Date & Time

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The exhibition started on March 26, 2023, and will continue till April 1, 2023, at Bikaner House, New Delhi. It begins at 11 am and ends around 7 pm. A tribute to the cultural heritage of India, the exhibition is sure to leave anyone mesmerised during walk-throughs with the artist.

Thanjavur Painting Technique

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Sethi is known for displaying her exquisite artwork using the Tanjore painting style. It uses shining gold foils to create figures of deities in vibrant colours. This is a unique style of bringing life to the inspiration of an artist. For its work, the painter first uses a wooden base and tops it with a linen cloth.

It is covered with at least five layers of powdered material. It makes for a solid base and a stunning canvas. Once the base is ready, the artist creates designs, adds the foil work and carves it meticulously. “I use paint and other mediums to enhance my painting,” Sethi added.

About Viraasat

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Viraasat is Sethi’s tribute to the rich cultural heritage that India inherited over centuries. It is a piece of her legacy. When she was a little girl, she got mesmerised by the beauty of monuments and intricate stonework and murals.

While travelling around the country, she got inspired by the Taj Mahal, idols of Radha Krishna, forts of Rajasthan, including Udaipur, Bikaner and Jodhpur, monuments in Delhi and nature.

Sethi’s many paintings have the jaal (web) work we often see in the windows of forts and Mughal monuments. She has beautifully depicted the Boddhisattva Padmapani at the Ajanta & Ellora caves, deities, artefacts from Egypt and whatnot.

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Seema Sethi’s Art

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While all her paintings will hold your gaze, a few of them will keep you hooked to your place. One such is the Qutub, which is inspired by 14th-century architecture in red and white stones.

Since the tower was built by Hindus, the tower has flaunted elements like kalash as well as jaali work inspired by the Mughals. Another one in the centre of the exhibition is The Royal Shield of Maharana Sangram Singh II of Mewar.

To depict the laurels of the kind, she created nine scenarios and embossed them on the canvas. It would showcase the kings during their hunts and fights.

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While you are exploring the gallery, do not forget to spend time on Moonstone… Gateway to Buddhaland, which is inspired by stone art at Anandpuram in Sri Lanka. It is one of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites. It symbolises openness, wisdom, speed and beauty.

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When you explore the exquisite paintings, you will also come across Tree Of Life with jaali work inspired by the Siddi Sayyed Mosque in Ahmedabad. It was built in the 16th century, and the monument depicts Islamic and Hindu styles of carvings.

If you get a chance, go check out the stunning work by Seema Sethi in New Delhi.