Star on a TV Show (Public Relations), 2003 29.5 x 36cm (11.6 x 14.2in)
Poster colour, gouache and gold dust on mount board
Amrit KD Kaur Singh
This painting is one in a set of eight works called the Art of Loving Series
INTRODUCTION TO THE ART OF LOVING:RAGAMALA SERIES
‘Ragamalas’ or ‘Garlands of Music’ are a tradition of miniature painting that grew up in 17th century India and sought to give visual expression to the many moods and emotions created by the system of different melodies (Ragas) found within classical Indian music. These paintings drew upon the rich symbolic imagery contained in poetic verses written a millennium ago, thus bringing together poetry, art and music in a unique relationship. Each Raga was personified, or represented in human form, and the feeling it evoked depicted as distinct modes of human emotion and experience in which the relationship between two lovers was a favourite theme. The mood and character of each Raga was also associated with specific colours, the seasons and the time of day - all of which became important compositional considerations for creating the desired atmosphere and sentiment. In a context where classical Indian music was regarded as a tangible vehicle for spiritual experience and communication, the material relationships depicted in Ragamala paintings were often analogies for the spiritual relationship between the soul and God.
The Art of Loving presents a series not only continues the Ragamala tradition but reinterprets it within a secular, contemporary context. Seeking to highlight the connection between poetry, visual art and music and, also, to draw parallels between East and West, each work in the series adopts the title of a song from the canon of modern western popular music whose theme, melody, and lyrics reflect the key sentiments and mood expressed by the painting.
‘Star On A TV Show ‘ offers a reinterpretation of Ragas Pancham and Malkaus, melodies expressing the joy of union - a theme that is variously depicted in Ragamala painting as the secret rendezvous between two lovers enjoying the pleasure of each other’s company (e.g.,walking or riding horseback in the forest, or, else, in amorous embrace in the seclusion of romantic surroundings such as a grove, walled garden or palace terrace). Seen as an analogy for the reuniting of the soul with its Divine origin, the union of lovers theme acquired a spiritual dimension.
In contrast, this painting explores how in today’s world of global communication and entertainment, something which was in traditional Indian art and philosophy considered to be sacred, intimate and private has become trivialized and turned into a public affair. It reflects a society in which the private lives of the rich and famous, hounded by the paparazzi, are regarded as public property; where the public relations machine is courted by those willing to exploit their personal relationships – ready to expose all in the pursuit of higher financial gain and notoriety; and where the line between real-life and fantasy relationships is blurred in the world of movies and confused further by the phenomenon of Reality TV and Docu-soaps.
It questions the global obsession with celebrity and fame and the kind of role models that are being created for a society in which meaningful and long lasting relationships are breaking down whilst people seek emotional consolation and live out their own desires through the lives of celebrities and the drama of fictional characters.
Copyright the artists
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