Divine Canvas: Pratima Abhange's Mythological Paintings at Lalit Kala Akademi

Divine Canvas: Pratima Abhange's Mythological Paintings at Lalit Kala Akademi

I am no connoisseur yet art, music, culture always lifts my heart. Walking into Pratima Abhange's exhibition at Lalit Kala Akademi in Delhi not only lifted my heart but also made me step  into Bharat's glorious mythological history. These are not just fables  shown in a dull way but an exhibition which brings our ancient glory alive with fresh ideas, strong colours, and deep thought. On display till January 25, the exhibition invites visitors to pause, reflect, and reconnect with India’s cultural roots.
As soon as you enter, a large painting of Samudra Manthan catches your eye. The scale at which the  churning of the ocean by gods and demons is shown and it's energy is overwhelming. Pratima has managed to capture that palpable moment when gods and demons collaborated in their quest for amrit, the nectar of immortality. The swirling and the tension between opposing forces are all enhanced by little elements like the Panchajanya conch, moon or parijat flowers. This divine energy flows through all the artworks. Each painting turns a well-known story into something new and meaningful.
The Jaya Samhita canvas presents the moment when Sage Vyasa dictated the Mahabharata to Shri Ganesh, who served as his scribe. Pratima renders this scene in earthy, grounded colours connecting the divine to the terrestrial and invoking spiritualism.
Her painting of Hanuman carrying the Sanjeevani Parvat is not about strength only  but also  brings out devotion, faith, and selfless service. The mountain looks heavy, yet effortless in Hanuman’s hands symbolising the power of devotion.
Pratima has used bright colours in the Gita Upadesh painting along with traditional puppetry. According to her the idea of puppet strings was used to suggest that our lives are controlled and guided by some higher power. She has also interpreted purusarthas, goals of life   through the four layers of a horse, representing  dharma, artha, kama, and moksha. They become a visual philosophy lesson, showing how these pursuits are layered, interconnected, and ultimately inseparable aspects of human existence.
Anand Murti, has been inspired by the exquisite sculptures of Halebid and Belur and bring out Pratima's technical mastery despite being a self made artist.  She has made clever use of rock-like hues and textures to connect with the stone from which those temple sculptures were carved in the medieval era.
Simran Samadhi on meditation depicts Nandi surrounded by distraught bells and veena used as instruments of disturbance. It captures the core of Advaita philosophy of  stithapradnyata, to be alert and aware and being detached even in chaos. In a world which constantly demands  response or reaction from us, this ancient wisdom suggesting slowing down and absorbing life's nuances feels just right.
Many other works like Vasudeva Carrying Krishna, Ashwamedha Yagna, Yashoda and Kanha, and Warrior’s Paradox offer fresh views of familiar stories. They remind us that mythology always has new meanings to share.
But of all the powerful works in this exhibition, one image refuses to release its hold on my imagination,  Sita with the Shiv Dhanush. We are accustomed to seeing Sita in moments of trial undergoing the agni pariksha or languishing in the Ashoka Vatika, defined by her suffering and patience. Here, Pratima reclaims a different moment from her story  where young Sita , as King Janak's daughter  lifted Shiva's bow with divine ease, a feat that many princes couldn't accomplish.
This revolutionary painting presents Sita not as victim but as a woman of formidable, divine strength. Pratima reminds us that our traditions already contain these images of female power we simply need to choose to see them, to celebrate them, to place them at the center of our narratives.
What makes this exhibition special is that it makes  mythology not some tales from the past but relevant even in modern era. The paintings speak about duty, devotion, wisdom, power, and identity which are important even today.
Pratima Abhange’s exhibition at Lalit Kala Akademi, Rabindra Bhavan, New Delhi, is open till January 25, 2026. Art lovers and anyone who wishes to see India’s mythology told in a new, thoughtful, and inspiring way must visit this exhibition, to rediscover the timeless nectar of our traditions.