India at the Sackler Gallery

Yesterday our visit to the Mall in Washington allowed us to experience several far-away countries and cultures. At the beginning of the day, we went to the Museum of the American Indian, and then to the special exhibit on art from Pompeii at the National Gallery of Art.

Finally, at the Sackler Gallery of Asian art, we heard the Rupayan ensemble of Jodhpur perform bhajans, songs composed by Maharaja Man Singh, an Indian ruler who reigned 1803–43. Singh also commissioned many of the paintings in a newly-opened exhibit called "Garden and Cosmos." The performance was part of the introductory ceremony for this exhibit. The musicians and dancers wore very colorful costumes, and played on folk instruments. Fortunately, the lead singers explained many of the words and gestures when introducing each song. Miriam was completely fascinated by the performance, and watched the dancers intently.



We also spent a little time in "Garden and Cosmos." The paintings in the exhibit were so incredibly detailed that the museum supplied magnifying glasses. The two themes, garden and cosmos, intertwined most fascinatingly. I especially liked the detail of many dark-skinned elephants with pink ears. Some were swimming in mysterious lakes or rivers, illustrating various Hindu myths. A blue-skinned hero appeared in several scenes from his epic adventures. I tried to take in the details of flowering trees, garlanded columns, and of rows and rows of worshipers or of courtiers. The cosmos of Hindu mythology is as unfamiliar as the exotic plants in the gardens.


Unfortunately, the museum allowed no photography of the paintings. I also did not spend enough time there. For a thorough review see "India's 'Garden' State: Lust, Asceticism Flower Side by Side in Sackler's Jodhpur Exhibit" by Paul Richard in the Washington Post (source of the image at right).