South Asia Partitioned: Art & History

Does the long history of South Asia reflect only a teleologic march towards the partition of the subcontinent in 1947? What modes and practices, histories and concepts, which emerged in, say, the second millennium alone allow us a glimpse past the divisions, ruptures and conflicts which pre-dominate contemporary political and historical understanding? This graduate seminar takes the longue durée approach to the study of “Partition” by examining illustrated and illuminated epics and histories from the 14th century to the 19th century. This visual and textual production is put in conversation with modern contemporary artists who interrogated, imagined and wrestled with the Partition. Illustrated texts include: the Awadhi Chandayan (14th c.), Pancatantra via Anvar-i Suhayli (15th c.), and Mahabharata via Razmnama (16th c.). Artists include: Zarina Hashmi (1937-2020), Lala Rukh (1948–2017), Shahzia Sikander (b. 1969) and Varunika Saraf (b. 1981). The class will use collections housed at the MET and will also meet at the MET or IFA.