New titles from Tulika Contemporary Art in Baroda EDITED BY GUIAMMOHAMMED SHEIKH The volume ContemporaryArtin Barodat^ces the evolution of Baroda as an important centre of contemporary art and art education, from the nineteenth century up to the last decade of the twentieth century. It begins with a discussion, in the first chapter, of the historical background of culture in the erstwhile state of Baroda, leading up to the establishment of the Faculty of Fine Arts—an institution that pioneered art education at the university level. The tradition of murals, elaborately carved havelis and painted temples; the arrival of Raja Ravi Varma at the invitation of Maharaja Sayajirao Gaekwad that resulted in the formulation of an east-west dialogue; the establishment of a school of art at Kalabhavan and a specially designed museum and art gallery with the intention of imparting visual education in eastern and western forms of art; the commissioning of Nandalal Bose to paint murals at Kirti Mandir—all these were factors that came together in diverse, eclectic, yet sustaining ways, to shape the art and culture of the city. The elaborate second chapter focuses on two decades of the building of the Faculty of Fine Arts, and the evolution of a committed system of art education that viewed art and knowledge as complementary forms and envisioned the new artist as a creative and articulate individual, aware of his past and present, constantly engaged in contemporary discourse. This vision of the pioneers of art education at the Faculty— Markand Bhatt, V.R. Amberkar, N.S. Bendre, Sankho Chaudhuri, K.G. Subramanyan, as also the careers and works of these artists and of the first^eneration of artists trained . there, are discussed in detail. The third and fourth chapters trace issues arising out of the changing art scenario and movements from the seventies till the present day, in the context of the national and international art scene. This is accompanied by a discussion of the works ofjyoti Bhatt, Jeram Patel, Raghav Kaneria, Nagji Patel, Bhupen Khakhar, Nasreen Mohamedi, Vivan Sundaram, Laxma Goud, Mrinalini Mukherjee, Dhruva Mistry, N.N. Rimzon and several others who have significantly contributed to contemporary art in India. Art in its historical context; art and education as life-vocations; art as an effective deterrent to dehumanization; the formation of a distinct vision of art through a mingling of the past and the present, the immediate and the distant—these are some of the complex issues that the book attempts to articulate through its discussion of the work of three generations of artists in Baroda. 10.75" x 8.5" Hardcover 300 illus. incl. colour plates 296 pages Rs 2250 Tulika, 35A/1 (II floor), Shahpurjat, New Delhi 110 049. Tel: 621 7999 Special Offer to Social Scientist Subscribers Individual subscribers to Social Scientistmay avail a discount of Rs 650 on the volume Contemporary Art in Baroda on sending us the following coupon with details filled in: Social Scientist Subscription Number:_____________________________ Please send me a copy to the following address: - [ enclose/am sending a demand draft/money order for Rs 1600 drawn on