Haku Shah
Encyclopedia
Haku Shah also called Nagari , is an abugida alphabet of India and Nepal...
:हकु शाह) (born 1934) is a Gandhian, an eminent India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
n painter belonging to the Baroda School, he is also a cultural anthropologist, an author of international repute on folk
Folk art
Folk art encompasses art produced from an indigenous culture or by peasants or other laboring tradespeople. In contrast to fine art, folk art is primarily utilitarian and decorative rather than purely aesthetic....
and tribal art
Tribal art
Tribal art is an umbrella term used to describe visual arts and material culture of indigenous peoples. Also known as Ethnographic art, or, controversially, Primitive Art, tribal arts have historically been collected by Western anthropologists, private collectors, and museums, particularly...
and culture. His works are considered in the line of artists who brought themes of folk or tribal art to Indian art.
He has received several awards including the Padma Shri
Padma Shri
Padma Shri is the fourth highest civilian award in the Republic of India, after the Bharat Ratna, the Padma Vibhushan and the Padma Bhushan...
(1989), the Nehru Fellowship and the Kala Ratna for his contribution to art.
Early life and education
Haku Vajubhai Shah born in 1934, in ValodValod
Valod is a small town situated midway between Bardoli and Vyara, in Tapi district in the Indian state of Gujarat. Valod is located about 50 km east of Surat. National Highway 6 passes through Valod....
in Surat district
Surat district
Surat is a district in the state of Gujarat India with Surat city as the administrative headquarters of this district. It is surrounded by Bharuch, Narmada , Navsari and Dang districts. To the west is the Gulf of Cambay. It is the second-most advanced district in Gujarat...
, Gujarat, and later he joined M.S. University, Baroda, from where he graduated in Fine Arts (BFA) in 1955, followed by a Masters degree in Fine Arts (MFA) from the same university.
Career
His work caught public eye, and by 1965 he had held several one-man shows in Kolkata and Mumbai. In 1968, he curated the 'Unknown India' exhibition, organized by Art Critic Stella Kramrisch at the Philadelphia Museum of ArtPhiladelphia Museum of Art
The Philadelphia Museum of Art is among the largest art museums in the United States. It is located at the west end of the Benjamin Franklin Parkway in Philadelphia's Fairmount Park. The Museum was established in 1876 in conjunction with the Centennial Exposition of the same year...
. He received the Rockefeller Grant in the same year and in 1971, the Nehru Fellowship Award.
Over the years, he has carried out extensive field research and documentation on rural and tribal arts and crafts, traditions and folk lore. He has taught at a Gandhian Ashram in south Gujarat for several years and established a tribal museum at Gujarat Vidyapith
Gujarat Vidyapith
The Gujarat Vidyapith is a major university located in Ahmedabad, in the state of Gujarat in India. It was founded in 1920 by Mohandas Gandhi, the leader of the Indian independence movement...
in Ahmedabad
Ahmedabad
Ahmedabad also known as Karnavati is the largest city in Gujarat, India. It is the former capital of Gujarat and is also the judicial capital of Gujarat as the Gujarat High Court has its seat in Ahmedabad...
, which was set up by Mahatma Gandhi
Mahatma Gandhi
Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi , pronounced . 2 October 1869 – 30 January 1948) was the pre-eminent political and ideological leader of India during the Indian independence movement...
. Haku curated the museum for several year, which was to become his last legacy.
His work is deeply influenced by the tribal art and culture, a theme on which he has written several of his works, and also Bhakti
Bhakti
In Hinduism Bhakti is religious devotion in the form of active involvement of a devotee in worship of the divine.Within monotheistic Hinduism, it is the love felt by the worshipper towards the personal God, a concept expressed in Hindu theology as Svayam Bhagavan.Bhakti can be used of either...
movement, especially its Nirguna poetry. In 2009, he published his memoirs titled, Manush.
Awards
- 1968: Rockefeller Fellow, U.S.A.
- 1971: Nehru Fellowship Award, New Delhi
- 1973: Civic Award, Municipal Corporation, AhmedabadAhmedabadAhmedabad also known as Karnavati is the largest city in Gujarat, India. It is the former capital of Gujarat and is also the judicial capital of Gujarat as the Gujarat High Court has its seat in Ahmedabad...
- 1989: Padma ShriPadma ShriPadma Shri is the fourth highest civilian award in the Republic of India, after the Bharat Ratna, the Padma Vibhushan and the Padma Bhushan...
, President of India - 1991: Regent Professor, California, U.S.A.
- 1997: Kala Ratna, All India Fine Arts and Crafts SocietyAll India Fine Arts and Crafts SocietyThe All India Fine Arts and Crafts Society is an independent arts organisation in India, founded in Delhi in 1928. In the decade after Indian independence, many of its functions were transferred to three national academies: Lalit Kala Akademi, Sangeet Natak Akademi and Sahitya Akademi for the...
(AIFACS), New Delhi. - 1998: Kala Shiromani, Lalit Kala AkademiLalit Kala AkademiThe Lalit Kala Akademi or National Academy of Art is India's National Academy of Arts. It was an autonomous organization, established at New Delhi in 1954 by Government of India to promote and propagate understanding of Indian art, both within and outside the country...
, Ahmedabad - 2006: Gagan Avani Puraskar, Shantiniketan
Solo exhibitions
- 1961: Ashok Gallery, Kolkata
- 1962: Ashok Gallery, Kolkata
- 1963: Jehangir Art GalleryJehangir Art GalleryThe Jehangir Art Gallery is Mumbai ’s most famous art gallery and a tourist attraction. It was founded by Sir Cowasji Jehangir at the urging of K. K. Hebbar and Homi Bhabha. It was built in 1952...
, Mumbai - 1964: Jehangir Art GalleryJehangir Art GalleryThe Jehangir Art Gallery is Mumbai ’s most famous art gallery and a tourist attraction. It was founded by Sir Cowasji Jehangir at the urging of K. K. Hebbar and Homi Bhabha. It was built in 1952...
, Mumbai; Academy of Arts, Kolkata - 1967: Chemould Gallery, Mumbai; Private Garden, Delhi
- 1968: International House, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; The Art Scene Today, Chemould Gallery, Mumbai; Asia Foundation Gallery, San Francisco, California
- 1969: Chemould Gallery, Mumbai; City Art Museum, St. Louis, Missouri
- 1971: Sanskar KendraSanskar KendraSanskar Kendra is a museum located in the city of Ahmedabad in India. Designed by the renowned architect Le Corbusier, it is a city museum depicting history, art, culture and architecture of Ahmedabad. The campus is located at the junction of Sardar Bridge and the River Sabarmati.The museum rests...
, Ahmedabad; Chemould Gallery, Mumbai - 1973: Sanskar KendraSanskar KendraSanskar Kendra is a museum located in the city of Ahmedabad in India. Designed by the renowned architect Le Corbusier, it is a city museum depicting history, art, culture and architecture of Ahmedabad. The campus is located at the junction of Sardar Bridge and the River Sabarmati.The museum rests...
, Ahmedabad - 1975: Chemould Gallery, Mumbai
- 1976: Gallery One, New York
- 1981: Sanskar KendraSanskar KendraSanskar Kendra is a museum located in the city of Ahmedabad in India. Designed by the renowned architect Le Corbusier, it is a city museum depicting history, art, culture and architecture of Ahmedabad. The campus is located at the junction of Sardar Bridge and the River Sabarmati.The museum rests...
, Paldi, Ahmedabad - 1984: Academy of Fine Arts, Kolkata; Minge Kan, Folk Art Museum, Tokyo
- 1987: Vikram Art Gallery, Madras
- 1988: Aressa Gallery, Mumbai
- 1991: Bade Museum, Berkeley
- 1993: Art Heritage, New Delhi
- 1994: Chemould Gallery, Mumbai
- 1996: Cymroza Gallery, Mumbai
- 1997: The Village Gallery, New Delhi; India International CentreIndia International CentreThe India International Centre is a well known non-official organization situated in New Delhi, India. It was founded in 1958, and inaugurated in 1968...
(IIC), New Delhi; The Gallery, Chennai, Art Indus, New Delhi; Herwitz Art Gallery, Ahmedabad - 1998: Durban Art Gallery, Cape Town, South Africa; Lalit Kala AkademiLalit Kala AkademiThe Lalit Kala Akademi or National Academy of Art is India's National Academy of Arts. It was an autonomous organization, established at New Delhi in 1954 by Government of India to promote and propagate understanding of Indian art, both within and outside the country...
, Chandigarh - 1999: All India Fine Arts & Crafts Society, (AIFACS), New Delhi
- 2000: Birla Academy of Art & Culture, Mumbai
- 2002: Visual Art Gallery, India Habitat CentreIndia Habitat CentreThe India Habitat Centre, located in New Delhi, India, was conceived to be a catalyst relationship between individuals and institutions working in habitat related areas to increase their effectiveness...
, New Delhi - 2004: Coomarswamy Hall, Prince of Wales MuseumPrince of Wales MuseumThe Prince of Wales Museum of Western India, officially Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya ), Mumbai, India was founded in the early years of the 20th century by some prominent citizens of Bombay, with the help of the government, to commemorate the visit of the then Prince of Wales. It...
, Mumbai; Sarjan Art Gallery, Vadodara - 2005: Shridharani Gallery, New Delhi; Cima Gallery, Kolkata; Marvel Art Gallery, Ahmedabad
- 2007: Time & Space Gallery, Bangalore; Visual Art Gallery, India Habitat CentreIndia Habitat CentreThe India Habitat Centre, located in New Delhi, India, was conceived to be a catalyst relationship between individuals and institutions working in habitat related areas to increase their effectiveness...
, New Delhi - 2008: Tao Art Gallery, Mumbai; Emami Chisel Art Gallery, Kolkata; Marvel Art Gallery, Ahmedabad (Nov-Dec 2008)
One-Man Exhibitions of Photographs
- 1992: India International CentreIndia International CentreThe India International Centre is a well known non-official organization situated in New Delhi, India. It was founded in 1958, and inaugurated in 1968...
(IIC), New Delhi - 1994: Centre For Photography As An Art Form, NCPANCPAThe NCPA is an acronym for several institutions:* National Centre for the Performing Arts, Beijing* National Center for Policy Analysis, Dallas, TX* National Community Pharmacist Association, Alexandria, VA...
, Bombay - 2006: Alliance FrancaiseAlliance françaiseThe Alliance française , or AF, is an international organisation that aims to promote French language and culture around the world. created in Paris on 21 July 1883, its primary concern is teaching French as a second language and is headquartered in Paris -History:The Alliance was created in Paris...
, Bangalore
Films
- 1978: "Pithoro, the Tribal God”', Lalit Kala AkademiLalit Kala AkademiThe Lalit Kala Akademi or National Academy of Art is India's National Academy of Arts. It was an autonomous organization, established at New Delhi in 1954 by Government of India to promote and propagate understanding of Indian art, both within and outside the country...
, New Delhi - 1970, “Scraps”, made with Yvonne Hannemann
Major Projects
- 1979: Process of Technology, concept and design, TropenmuseumTropenmuseumThe Tropenmuseum is an anthropological museum located in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, and established in 1864.One of the largest museums in Amsterdam, the museum accommodates eight permanent exhibitions and an ongoing series of temporary exhibitions, including both modern and traditional visual...
, Amsterdam, The Netherlands - 1981: Village Vasna, concept/collection and photos, Museum of Mankind, London.
- 1983: Form and Many Forms of Mother Clay, concept, design, curator and catalogue, Crafts Museum, New Delhi and Mingei International, San Diego, California
- 1986: The Art of the Adivasis, commissioner, concept and design, in Japan, as part of “Festival of India”
- 1988: Form Colour and Creativity, curator, concept and design, Crafts Museum, New Delhi.
- 1989: Shilpa Gram, created permanent village as museum, craft centre, revival of arts and crafts and theatre, concept and design, Udaipur
- 1990: Shilpa Mela, Arts and Crafts Fair at Ahmedabad, visualizer, designer and consultant, for Handicrafts Corporation, Government of Gujarat.
Children's books
- 1994: Champa, Hindi, Gujrati, Bengali Published by SAHMAT, New Delhi.
- 1998, Dharti, Hindi, Gujrati, Published by Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA), New Delhi
- 1998, Somi, Hindi, Gujrati, Published by Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA), New Delhi
- 2007, Jeevi aur Jeetu, Published by Vatsal Prakashan, Bikaner.
- 2007, Goth, Hindi, Published by Vatsal Prakashan, Bikaner.
- 2007, Manapari, English, Published by Shivshakthi, Bangalore.
Publications
- 1969: Community Ancestor Worship, (in Gujarati, Hindi and English, Gujarat VidyapithGujarat VidyapithThe Gujarat Vidyapith is a major university located in Ahmedabad, in the state of Gujarat in India. It was founded in 1920 by Mohandas Gandhi, the leader of the Indian independence movement...
, Ahmedabad. (with Vimal Shah and Ramesh Shroff) - 1970: Rural Craftsmen and their work, equipment and techniques in the Mer village of Ratadi in Saurashtra, India. National Institute of DesignNational Institute of DesignThe article for the postgraduate campus can be found at National Institute of Design Gandhinagar and National Institute of Design BangaloreNational Institute of Design is a design school in India. The institute functions as an autonomous body under the Department of Industrial Policy and...
Ahmedabad (with Eberhard Fischer) - 1971: Schlichter Eintrag-Ikat aus Süd-Gujarat, Indien, Die Herstellung von Lendentüchern für die Chaudhri-Stämme in Mandvi durch Khatri-Weber in Tribus Vol. 19:47-69, Linden-Museum, Stuttgart. (with Eberhard Fischer)
- 1971: Mogra dev, tribal crocodile gods of the Chodhri, Gamit and Vasava tribes, South Gujarat, India. Gujarat Vidyapith, Ahmedabad (with Eberhard Fischer)
- 1972: Kunsttraditionen in Nordindien: Stammeskunst, Volkskunst, klassische Kunst. Museum Rietberg Zürich (with Eberhard Fischer)
- 1973: Simple weft-ikat from South Gujarat, India. Calico Museum of Textiles, Ahmedebad (with Eberhard Fischer)
- 1973: Vetra ne khambha, memorials for the dead, wooden figures and memorial slabs of the Chodhri, Gamit and Vasava tribes, South Gujarat, India. Gujarat Vidyapith, Ahmedabad (with Eberhard Fischer)
- 1974: Tatauieren in Kutch, in Ethnologische Zeitschrift Zürich Vol.2:105-129 Völkerkundemuseum Zürich. (with Eberhard Fischer)
- 1975: Kites flourishing in Ahmedabad, India, in Asian Culture Centre for UNESCO.
- 1976, Treatment against Ghosts and Spirits, the Bhagtai-ceremony of the Chodhri tribe in Gujarat, in German Scholars on India, vol.2:51-60, Bombay (with Eberhard Fischer)
- 1978: Folk Myth and Tribal Magic, in Art Heritage exhibition catalogue no.1.
- 1979: More lights on the Harappan Terracotta Figures, in The Eastern Anthropologist with Suman Pandya)
- 1980: The ritual paintings of the god Pithora Baba, Zürcher Zeitschrift für Ethnologie, vol. 11: 7-62.
- 1982: Tempeltücher für die Muttergöttinnen in Indien, Zeremonien, Herstellung und Ikonographie gemalter und gedruckter Stoffbilder aus Gujarat, Museum Rietberg Zürich (with Eberhard Fischer and Jyotindra Jain)
- 1982: The voice that paints, in Shilpakar, pp. 77–87, Crafts Council of Western India, Bombay.
- 1984: On Art and Ritual, India International CentreIndia International CentreThe India International Centre is a well known non-official organization situated in New Delhi, India. It was founded in 1958, and inaugurated in 1968...
Quarterly, vol. 11, no.4:14-33, New Delhi. (Interview with Geeti Sen) - 1985: Form and many Forms of Mother Clay, Contemporary Indian Pottery and Terracotta (with contributions by Pupul Jayakar, C. Sivaramamurti and Stella Kramrisch) exhibition catalogue for the National Crafts Museum, New DelhiNew DelhiNew Delhi is the capital city of India. It serves as the centre of the Government of India and the Government of the National Capital Territory of Delhi. New Delhi is situated within the metropolis of Delhi. It is one of the nine districts of Delhi Union Territory. The total area of the city is...
. - 1985: Votive terracottas of Gujarat , Mapin Publishers, Ahmedabad. (edited by Carmen Kegal)
- 1985: Gopal, ein indischer Balladensänger zeichnet sein Leben, Jogi Gopal gay chhe, Gopal chitre chhe (German and Gujarati) Peter Hammer Verlag, Wuppertal. (with Barbara and Eberhard Fischer) Gopal singt, Lieder eines indischen Balladensängers und Zeichners, tape and leaflet of songs by Gopal.
- 1987, Some 19th century garâs pata or jajmâniî documents of Muslim potters in Kutch, in Verhandlungen der Naturforschenden Gesellschaft, Basel, vol. 97:103-120, Museum für Völkerkunde Basel. (with Eberhard Fischer)
- 1991, Mati in Indigenous Visions, India International Centre Quarterly, New Delhi (interview with Geeti Sen)
- 1992, Teju means radiating light, in Brunner and Vogelsanger edit. Teju zeichnet, aus den Malheften einer indischen Familie (pp. 5–12), Völkerkundemuseum der Universität Zürich.
- 1992: Contemporary streams of tribal and folk art, exhibition catalogue New South Wales Gallery, Australia.
- 2009:Manush (memoirs).
Further reading
- Invisible Order: Tribute to Haku Shah, by Eberhard Fischer. Publisher, Art Indus, 1999. ISBN 8187670002.
- Vartakaar ki Vaani (with Piyush Daiya) Excerpts
- Interview: Haku Shah, by Vandana Sood
External links
- Haku Shah, website
- The Flute Player
- A response to Haku Shah's art at The HinduThe HinduThe Hindu is an Indian English-language daily newspaper founded and continuously published in Chennai since 1878. According to the Audit Bureau of Circulations, it has a circulation of 1.46 million copies as of December 2009. The enterprise employed over 1,600 workers and gross income reached $40...
.