Today’s artistic world is dominated by big names and high-value auctions. But amidst this, one artist’s unique voice has quietly persisted, touching hearts across generations.
In the latest video by Architectural Digest India giving a glimpse of actor Sonam Kapoor’s maximalist Mumbai home, she revealed that a Badri Narayan painting sitting against the patterned frescoed wall, is among her most cherished décor possessions. The painting was gifted to her by her father-in-law. She says, “It’s very unusual to find such a big work of his, and I am very blessed to have one of these.” This has brought renewed attention to this “often-overlooked master of Indian art”.
Art curator Ina Puri fondly recalls her first encounter with Narayan’s work. “This was the first artist I had in my collection. It was a Badri Narayan tile that I got when I was in university. I happened to visit Bombay and saw this exhibition at Jahangir. I got this for 450 rupees and I still value it,” she tells indianexpress.com.
Narayan’s art stands out for its authenticity and ability to weave narratives into visual forms that can be understood by everyone. Puri explains, “It’s his take on mythology. His art is about inclusivity. It is about taking and using these mythological stories, if you will, in a way that is personal and true to his narrative.”
What sets Narayan apart is his unwavering commitment to his style. While contemporaries like M.F. Husain, S.H. Raza, and F.N. Souza were exploring various artistic movements, Narayan remained true to his narrative approach. “He remained pretty much true to the style in which he worked, which was narrative. He was not looking at a quick foray into abstract or taking on installation. He didn’t do any of that,” Puri notes.
The paintings by artist Badri Narayan are narrative, and act as the starting point for unravelling their complexities, allowing viewers to interpret and understand them (Source: Galleria VSB)
Narayan’s background as a storyteller deeply influenced his art. “He was actually a storyteller. I have attended sessions where he used to tell stories. So that is another quality, that even children would listen to him tell interesting stories,” Puri reminisces, adding that the illustrations went far beyond just simply being a stories. “It was the way he told them. It was the figures and the compositions that he created, which were so important, so significant.”
His artistic range was remarkable, with Puri highlighting, “Right from a very tiny, almost like a miniature to the larger works, he had that capacity. He was able to make paintings that were in scale, minuscule, small works and large paintings.”
Despite his talent, Narayan’s work didn’t always receive the recognition it deserved during his lifetime. Puri laments, “Sadly, when he passed, I heard that he was doing poorly and he needed help, he needed support. When he was around, he didn’t really fetch the kind of recognition he deserved.”
Today, there’s a growing appreciation for Narayan’s contributions to Indian art. Puri expresses hope for the future. “It would be wonderful for me to see a work or an exhibition of Badri Narayan. I cannot remember when I’ve seen a painting of his last. I’m telling you all of this from memory. I haven’t actually seen a work of his in a very long time. And it would be wonderful for children today to see that work, because they’d connect with it. They would understand.”
As we rediscover Badri Narayan’s legacy, his timeless narratives continue to resonate, proving that true art transcends trends and speaks directly to the human spirit. His story serves as a reminder that sometimes, the most profound voices in art are those that remain steadfast in their vision, quietly weaving tales that connect us all.
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