Essays on the evolving aesthetic sensibilities of a globalized, rapidly changing world.
 
In this collection of essays, written by K. G. Subramanyan over twenty-five years, this artist delves into the evolving aesthetic sensibilities in a globalized world, offering profound reflections on art, aesthetics, tradition, and societal challenges. As one of India's most celebrated artists, Subramanyan provides invaluable insights into contemporary art and cultural dynamics
 
Covering a broad spectrum of topics including art, visual perception, creativity, craft practice, tradition, and societal issues, Subramanyan's essays offer a comprehensive exploration of the complexities shaping modern civilization. He critically examines the impact of globalization, industrialization, environmental degradation, and societal disparities on art, education, and society, urging readers to negotiate these challenges with insight and vigilance.
 
Subramanyan played a pivotal role in shaping India’s artistic identity after Independence. Mani-da, as he was fondly called, seamlessly blended elements of modernism with folk expression in his works, spanning paintings, murals, sculptures, prints, set designs, and toys. Beyond his visual artistry, his writings have laid a solid foundation for understanding the demands of art on the individual. In the year of his centenary, Seagull is proud to publish his writings in special new editions.
 

K. G. Subramanyan (1924–2016) was one of India’s most respected artists. He worked with diverse media and materials, exhibiting extensively both within and outside the country. He was part of the arts faculty at M. S. University, Baroda, and was professor emeritus at the Kala Bhavan Center at Visva-Bharati University in Santiniketan, India. In 2012, he received the Padma Vibhushan, India’s second-highest civilian award, for his outstanding contribution to the arts. His other books include Moving Focus: Essays on Indian Art and Living Tradition: Perspectives on Modern Indian Art, both also published by Seagull Books.
 

Preface
Aesthetics and Motivations in the Arts and Sciences
New Perspectives in Art
Theory, Text, Context
The Primal Imperatives: Some Thoughts on the Relationship Between Culture and the Calendar
Visual Arts and the Concept of Rasa
A Matter of Perspective
The Art Language
Visual Arts in India: Future Prospects
Art in a Multi-Cultural Setting
The Local and the Global
What Shall We Do with Culture?
The Concept of Tradition
The Sense of Tradition in a Non-Traditional World
The Magic of Making
Do Hands Have a Chance?
The Study and Support of Rural and Tribal Arts and Crafts
Discovering Each Other
Gandhi and the Indian Cultural Scene
The Requisites of a Renaissance
A Pressing Challenge
Between Reality and Dream
Education and Experience
Between the Amateur and the Professional
The Uses and Abuses of History
The Search for a Sane World at This Point In Time
Re-Reading the Nineteenth Century
Protecting Our Cultural Heritage
On Bringing Education to Craftsmen
An Illustrator’s View
Environment Issues
Towards an Ecology of Culture