KNMA CELEBRATES INDO-GERMAN MODERNISM AND CULTURAL EXCHANGE

The Kiran Nadar Museum of Art (KNMA) in Saket, New Delhi recently opened a fascinating exhibition titled 'Eckart Muthesius and Manik Bagh: Pioneering Modernism in India,' curated by Raffael Dedo Gadebusch, Head of the Museum für Asiatische Kunst, Berlin.

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This exhibition, commemorating the 120th birth anniversary of German architect Eckart Muthesius, sheds light on an extraordinary cultural exchange between India and Germany in the early 20th century, focusing on the creation of Manik Bagh Palace in Indore. It highlights the intricate interplay of architecture, design, and art that defined modernism in India, bringing forth the little-known story of patronage and international cooperation that shaped one of India's most iconic buildings.

The exhibition is a celebration of this cross-cultural dialogue, marking the beginning of a long-term partnership between KNMA and the Asian Art Museum in Berlin. With both institutions sharing a commitment to modern and contemporary art, this collaboration is poised to explore and expand the artistic and architectural contributions of India and its neighboring regions. The exhibition presents rare archival material, including photographs by Man Ray and Emil Leitner, watercolors, sketches, and design studies by Muthesius, offering visitors a glimpse into the creation of Manik Bagh, an architectural gem that has often been overshadowed by colonial edifices.

Manik Bagh, meaning 'jewel garden,' was conceived in the early 1930s when Maharaja Yeshwant Rao Holkar II of Indore met Eckart Muthesius at Oxford. The Maharaja, known for his forward-thinking and cosmopolitan outlook, wanted a palace that was distinct from the colonial designs prevalent in India at the time. He appointed Muthesius to design this modernist masterpiece, which would reflect his sophisticated tastes and stand as a symbol of the new democratic principles in architecture.

The palace was completed in 1933, and its interiors became an iconic example of early modernist design.