Motilal Nehru College, University of Delhi
Benito Juarez Marg, South Campus, South Moti Bagh, New Delhi, Delhi 110021, India
24-25 April 2024
Convened by Sonal Singh
The Department of History at Motilal Nehru College, University of Delhi, hosted an International Seminar titled “Visual Cultures of Colonial India: A Historical Perspective” on 24-25 April 2024. Supported by the British Art Network and organised under the aegis of the Internal Quality Assurance Cell (IQAC) of the College, the event brought together global scholars, researchers, and participants in a hybrid format to explore India’s visual history during the colonial era.
Dr. Sonal, the Principal Organiser, opened the seminar by delineating the theme of the seminar and its significance and emphasising the role of the British Art Network in actualising it. This was followed by welcoming remarks from Professor Yogeshwar Sharma, Principal of Motilal Nehru College. The event featured esteemed guests, including Shri Abhay Kumar, a diplomat, poet, and author; and art critic Shri Prayag Shukla as the Chief Guest. The seminar included prominent speakers such as Professor Emeritus Partha Mitter, a leading authority on colonial art; Professor William R. Pinch from Wesleyan University, known for his research on warrior ascetics; and historian William Dalrymple, who offered insights into Company Painting. Professor Parul Pandya Dhar highlighted the interpretation of India’s artistic heritage during colonial rule.
The seminar consisted of an inaugural lecture, three plenary sessions, and seven technical sessions comprising 15 invited resource persons and 15 paper presenters from four different time zones. 12 participants joined online while the others joined in person.
Central to the discussions was the exploration of how visual arts—paintings, architecture, and photography—were used to shape colonial narratives, portraying India as an exotic and mystical land. The seminar also examined how Indian artists and intellectuals responded to these depictions, adapting or challenging them. In addition to the themes, the changing techniques of artistic production were a integral to the seminar. The seminar provided a dynamic platform for exchanging ideas, offering fresh perspectives on the role of visual culture understanding India’s colonial history as opposed to merely exploring the aesthetics of artworks. It successfully bridged academic discourse across geographical boundaries, enriching the understanding of India’s visual past.
You can view the Visual Cultures of Colonial India seminar schedule here.
