Modernism and the Art of Muslim South Asia (Islamic Civilization and Muslim Networks)

This pioneering work traces the emergence of the modern and contemporary art of Muslim South Asia in relation to transnational modernism and in light of the region's intellectual, cultural, and political developments. Art historian Iftikhar Dadi here explores the art and writings of major artists, men and women, ranging from the late colonial period to the era of independence and beyond. He looks at the stunningly diverse artistic production of key artists associated with Pakistan, including Abdur Rahman Chughtai, Zainul Abedin, Shakir Ali, Zubeida Agha, Sadequain, Rasheed Araeen, and Naiza Khan. Dadi shows how, beginning in the 1920s, these artists addressed the challenges of modernity by translating historical and contemporary intellectual conceptions into their work, reworking traditional approaches to the classical Islamic arts, and engaging the modernist approach towards subjective individuality in artistic expression. In the process, they dramatically reconfigured the visual arts of the region. By the 1930s, these artists had embarked on a sustained engagement with international modernism in a context of dizzying social and political change that included decolonization, the rise of mass media, and developments following the national independence of India and Pakistan in 1947. Bringing new insights to such concepts as nationalism, modernism, cosmopolitanism, and tradition, Dadi underscores the powerful impact of transnationalism during this period and highlights the artists' growing embrace of modernist and contemporary artistic practice in order to address the challenges of the present era. This Pioneering Work Traces The Emergence Of The Modern And Contemporary Art Of Muslim South Asia In Relation To Transnational Modernism And In Light Of The Region's Intellectual, Cultural, And Political Developments. Dadi Here Explores The Art And Writings Of Major Artists, Men And Women, Ranging From The Late Colonial Period To The Era Of Independence And Beyond, Including Abdur Rahman Chughtai, Zainul Abedin, Shakir Ali, Zubeida Agha, Sadequain, Rasheed Araeen, And Naiza Khan. Dadi Underscores The Powerful Impact Of Transnationalism During This Period And Highlights The Artists' Growing Embrace Of Modernist And Contemporary Artistic Practice In Order To Address The Challenges Of The Present Era-- Publisher Description. Introduction : Modernism In South Asian Muslim Art -- Abdur Rahman Chughtai : Mughal Aesthetic In The Age Of Print -- Mid-century Modernism : Zainul Abedin, Zubeida Agha, And Shakir Ali -- Sadequain And Calligraphic Modernism -- Emergence Of The Public Self : Rasheed Araeen And Naiza Khan -- Epilogue : The Realm Of The Contemporary. Iftikhar Dadi. Includes Bibliographical References And Index. Contents......Page 6 Acknowledgments......Page 12 Note on Transliteration......Page 16 INTRODUCTION: Modernism in South Asian Muslim Art......Page 20 1 ABDUR RAHMAN CHUGHTAI: Mughal Aesthetic in the Age of Print......Page 65 2 MID-CENTURY MODERNISM: Zainul Abedin, Zubeida Agha, and Shakir Ali......Page 112 3 SADEQUAIN AND CALLIGRAPHIC MODERNISM......Page 153 4 EMERGENCE OF THE PUBLIC SELF: Rasheed Araeen and Naiza Khan......Page 196 EPILOGUE: The Realm of the Contemporary......Page 236 M......Page 248 Z......Page 249 Notes......Page 250 Bibliography......Page 288 A......Page 314 B......Page 316 C......Page 317 E......Page 319 G......Page 320 I......Page 321 J......Page 322 M......Page 323 N......Page 325 P......Page 326 R......Page 327 S......Page 328 U......Page 330 Z......Page 331 Contents 6 Acknowledgments 12 Note on Transliteration 16 INTRODUCTION: Modernism in South Asian Muslim Art 20 1 ABDUR RAHMAN CHUGHTAI: Mughal Aesthetic in the Age of Print 65 2 MID-CENTURY MODERNISM: Zainul Abedin, Zubeida Agha, and Shakir Ali 112 3 SADEQUAIN AND CALLIGRAPHIC MODERNISM 153 4 EMERGENCE OF THE PUBLIC SELF: Rasheed Araeen and Naiza Khan 196 EPILOGUE: The Realm of the Contemporary 236 Glossary 248 A 248 B 248 D 248 F 248 G 248 H 248 I 248 J 248 K 248 M 248 N 249 P 249 Q 249 R 249 S 249 T 249 U 249 Z 249 Notes 250 Bibliography 288 Index 314 A 314 B 316 C 317 D 319 E 319 F 320 G 320 H 321 I 321 J 322 K 323 L 323 M 323 N 325 O 326 P 326 Q 327 R 327 S 328 T 330 U 330 V 331 W 331 Y 331 Z 331 0807833584,9780807833582 The University of North Carolina Press Traces the emergence of the modern and contemporary art of Muslim South Asia in relation to transnational modernism and in light of the region's intellectual, cultural, and political developments. The author explores the art and writings of major artists, men and women, ranging from the late colonial period to the era of independence and beyond.