Folklore Kerala - II 

M.F. Husain made this print, Folklore Kerala II, using serigraphy, a process ideal for bold colours and graphic shapes. The figures and the geometric forms may seem abstract, but they make reference to the religious rituals and social customs of Kerala in southern India. Husain grew up in a time of rapid social change in India, and he became one of the country's most famous modern artists by combining European techniques with Indian subjects. Consider, for example, the figures in the image, who are reminiscent of performers from Kathakali, a traditional dance form, while the central image with the triangle is reminiscent of mandalas used in Hindu rituals. The striking use of red may allude to the colour's auspicious role in Indian culture, as it represents energy, passion, and good fortune. To understand Husain's work, we can look to archives of Indian art, as well as books on the history of Indian performance. The artist's modern sensibility and engagement with religious themes show the complex ways in which social practices can inform and shape art.