To Russia With Love: Indian artists Paint memories of travel and stay in Russia

‘Russia, An Indian View II’, an exhibition featuring 35 artists is set to begin in Delhi’s Russia House, where the Russian land has been painted through the eyes of Indians

Curators Aakshat Sinha and Savita Gupta  

When artist Aakshat Sinha recalls his student days in Russia during the 1990s, he remembers people walking at the Red Square, or them gathering for a barbecue. And this is what he paints too, he says while talking about his series ‘Those Golden Years’. Further explaining the colour scheme in his paintings, he adds, “The white space becomes snow, sand, or sky, and the golden hue represents the golden memories of youth.”

Two of these artworks by Sinha, along with the paintings by 35 other artists and art groups, will be featured at the month-long exhibition, ‘Russia, An Indian View II’, opening on August 20 at the Russian House in New Delhi. Conceptualised and curated by Sinha along with artist Savita Gupta, the show–through various paintings, sculptures, photographs, installations, literature, and cinema– portrays how Indians have seen, and imagined Russia across time.

Artist Aakshat Sinha's artwork

While Sinha’s own works depict the nostalgia of student life abroad, other participants approach Russia differently, sketching their experiences in the cities like Moscow and St Petersburg. 

“What we are trying to show is the sheer diversity of associations,” remarks Sinha, who left behind mechanical engineering to devote himself to art. “For some, it is travel and study. For others, it is literature, films, or even second-hand memories. You don’t need to have visited Russia to feel connected.”

Over the month, visitors can attend workshops, talks, film screenings, and even Hindi adaptations of Anton Chekhov’s short stories and Vasily Shukshin’s plays. This edition also introduces a new reciprocal project, ‘India, A Russian View’, with selected works by Russian masters like Nicholas Roerich and Vasili Vereshagin that interpret India through Russian vision.

The opening ceremony will be held on August 20 at 6 pm, with dignitaries from the Russian Embassy and Indian cultural institutions in attendance, alongside a performance by sitar and sarod exponents Lakshay and Aayush Mohan.

The exhibition is on till September 20 at Russian House, Feroz Shah Road, New Delhi.