Ananta Kathā is Artlune’s first online exhibition, created with the aim of making art more accessible to everyone. It combines affordability, flexibility, and a thoughtful curatorial approach suited to today’s digital world.

This exhibition invites audiences to engage with art through an immersive experience that connects tradition with technology.

About Ananta Kathā

Curated by Li Yu and Shalu Yadav, Ananta Kathā features the works of Krishna Prakash Vasant, an artist dedicated to the revival of the endangered art form of Surpur miniature painting. For decades, Krishna has been reimagining this traditional style through intricate monochromatic ink drawings that breathe new life into cultural heritage. His works reinterpret the stories of Indian gods and goddesses, blending mythology with contemporary artistic language.

The Meaning Behind Ananta Kathā

The title Ananta Kathā translates to “endless stories,” symbolizing the eternal flow of cultural and spiritual narratives that define South Asia’s artistic traditions. This exhibition explores how these timeless tales—rooted in mythology and devotion—continue to find new life today.

As technology advances rapidly, South Asia faces the threat of losing many traditional practices. The revival of the endangered art form becomes essential to preserve our collective memory. Through art, these stories are not only remembered but also reinterpreted for modern audiences.

Artist and Vision

Krishna Prakash Vasant’s work stands at the heart of Ananta Kathā, using ink on paper to unite the sacred past with the present. Drawing from the Surpur miniature tradition, he reimagines scenes from the Ramayana, Mahabharata, and other epic tales featuring Indian gods and goddesses. These mythological figures are presented in new visual forms, transforming ancient stories into living, breathing works of art.

Much like a theatrical Ramlila performance, Krishna’s art bridges oral storytelling and visual expression. His detailed ink drawings invite viewers to experience divine and human emotions intertwined within the same frame, reflecting the revival of the endangered art form through a contemporary lens.

Significance

Ananta Kathā is more than an exhibition—it is a bridge between tradition and the present. It demonstrates how the revival of the endangered art form can sustain not just a visual tradition but the spiritual and cultural memory it carries. Through Krishna’s intricate compositions of Indian gods and goddesses, the exhibition celebrates art as both a form of preservation and transformation.

In doing so, Ananta Kathā becomes a living testament to the enduring power of art to connect the past, present, and future—keeping ancient stories alive for generations to come.