Two group exhibitions, *Prakriti: A Quiet Continuum* and *Living Lineages*, have opened in Hyderabad, showcasing a mix of contemporary and folk artists. *Prakriti* features artists like Lal Bahadur Singh, Sumanto Chowdhury, Roy K John, and K. Sudheesh, each exploring nature as both external landscape and inner state through personal lenses. *Living Lineages* brings together indigenous and folk artists including Bhuri Bai, Balu Jivya Mashe, Saroj Venkat Shyam, and Venkat Raman Shyam, highlighting traditions such as Warli, Bhil, Gond art, and Cheriyal scrolls from Telangana. Gallerist Rekha Lahoti notes the exhibitions are designed to create a dialogue between contemporary and living traditions, addressing collector curiosity about their differences.
These exhibitions matter because they deliberately juxtapose contemporary and indigenous art practices, fostering cross-cultural understanding and elevating folk traditions often marginalized in mainstream art discourse. By presenting works rooted in generational knowledge alongside contemporary nature-based explorations, the shows challenge hierarchical distinctions between 'fine art' and 'craft,' and reflect a growing institutional and market interest in living traditions. This curatorial approach also highlights Hyderabad’s evolving art scene and the role of galleries in bridging diverse artistic lineages.