Emami Art's ongoing group exhibition, 'An Ancient Ballad,' features twelve artists across generations showcasing a diverse range of mediums including photography, painting, printmaking, textile, ceramic, and wood. The show highlights works by Rahul Sarkar, whose androgenous figures explore gender and memory through intricate ink and charcoal engravings; Sayandeep Kangsabanik's dense monochrome compositions; and established names like modernist painter K.C. Pyne and photographer L.M. Sen. Other participating artists include Arunima Choudhury, Ajit Kumar Das, Alakananda Sengupta, Tapas Biswas, Subrata Biswas, Partha Dasgupta, Chandra Bhattacharjee, and Raja Boro.
The exhibition matters because it brings together emerging and senior Indian artists in a thoughtfully curated dialogue that bridges traditional techniques like kalamkari and terracotta with contemporary themes of memory, nature, and identity. Curator Ushmita Sahu emphasizes that the show does not seek to resolve histories but holds them in suspension, creating a field of echoes where image, memory, and matter remain in restless conversation. This approach reflects a growing trend in Indian art institutions to foster intergenerational exchange and highlight regional artistic practices.