Celebrating the Centennial: The Legacy of S H Raza

A new book, 'Raza: The Other Modern,' explores the life and art of renowned Indian artist S H Raza. Released by the Progressive Art Gallery and Raza Foundation, the book celebrates Raza’s centennial with essays, illustrations, and photographs that spotlight his artistic evolution and enduring legacy.

The new book 'Raza: The Other Modern' delves into the extraordinary journey of renowned Indian artist S H Raza, marking his centennial celebration. The Progressive Art Gallery and the Raza Foundation launched this remarkable work, which includes contributions from critics Geeti Sen, Yashodhara Dalmia, and Gayatri Sinha. The book features 103 illustrations and five photographs, providing an in-depth look at Raza's artistic evolution from his early expressionist works to his later mesmerizing abstractions. Raza, a master of colour and form, navigated numerous dualities throughout his career.

Raza's unique blend of Indian vision and French artistic sensibilities led to a distinct form of modernism. His work was deeply influenced by his early years in the forests of central India and later, his time in Paris. Despite his family's migration to Pakistan post-independence, Raza remained in Bombay and became a founding member of the Progressive Artists' Group in 1947. Dalmiya highlights the Group's rejection of traditional revivalism and academic naturalism, charting their path to modernism and aligning with international trends.

After receiving a scholarship to Paris in 1950, Raza's exposure to European masters like Cezanne, Picasso, and Matisse greatly impacted his work. His paintings often incorporated enigmatic elements like the 'black sun,' which he described as a symbol representing earth, sun, or moon. While some identified his work as 'tantric,' Raza refuted this label, emphasizing the complex nature of such beliefs. The book, published by Mapin Publishing, invites readers to explore the profound depth of Raza's visual mastery.

(With inputs from agencies.)