ANKLETS, ART, AND ANGUISH

K K Hebbar’s drawings reimagine the epic of Cilappatikaram—a story of a devoted couple, their tragedy and the righteous fury of a woman-—at Delhi’s Art Magnum gallery

- S KEERTHIVAS

ART Magnum Gallery in Delhi is hosting an exhibition of drawings by the late K K Hebbar, offering la visual journey through the Tamil epic Cilappatikaram. Curated by Jyotirmoy Bhattacharya, the exhibition opened (on till October 31), features 51 intricate pen-on-paper drawings, arranged sequentially to mirror the progression of the epic-from the peaceful life of the protagonists to the dramatic burning of Madurai.

This seminal artwork developed in the '60s by the artist was passed on to his family, until eight months ago when Hebbar's daughter, Rekha Hebbar Rao, the head of the K K Hebbar Art Foundation, decided to bring her father's previously unseen works into public view.

"And what other better place than Delhi, the capital city, to display these exhibits so that people would get to know this beautiful interpretation of this seminal Tamil epic," says Saurabh Singhvi, director, Art Magnum. Hebbar's other children, Rajani Hebbar Prasanna and Ranna Hebbar, were also present to honour their father's legacy.

The opening evening on September 22 also witnessed the launch of the book Illango Adigal's Silappadikaram: The Poetic Narration in Lines by KK Hebbar, offering visitors a textual complement to the visual narrative.

Hebbar's style