Dialogues Across Time – Art Bridging Eras at the Indian Museum

Kolkata’s Indian Museum recently unveiled Dialogues Across Time, a landmark exhibition that artfully weaves together the threads of India’s artistic legacy with its contemporary expressions. Marking the museum’s 210th anniversary, the exhibition brings a rare convergence of over 100 artists whose works span traditional, modern, and contemporary genres.

Curated with a thoughtful narrative, Dialogues Across Time places folk art, tribal traditions, and classical forms alongside the works of contemporary stalwarts like Bharti Kher, Subodh Gupta, and Madhvi Parekh. This blend fosters conversations between the past and the present—inviting viewers to reflect on what changes, what remains, and how memory evolves through material and medium.

Each section of the exhibition is arranged not chronologically, but thematically. For instance, a Kalighat painting might share space with a conceptual sculpture, both dealing with themes of identity or ritual. This juxtaposition encourages audiences to draw parallels and re-evaluate what defines “heritage” and “modernity.”

A striking aspect of the exhibition is its multidisciplinary approach. The art isn’t confined to paintings or sculptures—it includes installations, video art, textile-based works, and soundscapes. Many pieces interact directly with the museum’s historical artifacts, forming visual dialogues across centuries. For example, a performance-based video work might respond to a terracotta relic, reactivating its relevance in today’s socio-political climate.

The exhibition also embraces community interaction, featuring artist-led walkthroughs, workshops, and panel discussions that engage the public beyond passive viewing. This participatory model reflects a larger trend in India’s museum culture—moving from static repositories to living, breathing cultural spaces.

Visitors to Dialogues Across Time leave with a sense of India’s layered history—not just as a sequence of events, but as a continuum of creativity. The show does not simply display art; it encourages us to think about how art shapes—and is shaped by—our collective memory.

In a city like Kolkata, where tradition and modernity often collide and coexist, this exhibition resonates deeply. It reminds us that time doesn’t isolate artistic practices—it connects them. And in doing so, Dialogues Across Time stands as a powerful tribute to India’s evolving artistic voice.