The arts of Kashmir

Many of the objects have never been seen outside of India, in some cases they have never been exhibited or published anywhere.

Asia Society is pleased to present the first-ever major exhibition devoted to the rich artistic tradition of Kashmir. An important cultural bridge between the Indian subcontinent and regions to the west and east for over two millennia, the Kashmir Valley was a vibrant hub of intellectual activity for its Buddhist, Hindu, and Muslim populations. Multiple cultural influences have fostered a unique artistic environment of diverse aesthetics, witnessed in this landmark exhibition of 130 sumptuous objects of exemplary quality, dating from the 2nd to the 20th centuries.

The Arts of Kashmir curator Dr. Pratapaditya Pal, the world's leading authority on the subject, comments that the exhibition "tells the story of generations of Kashmiris who excelled in producing art in a wide variety of media, not only the shawls that have become almost synonymous with Kashmir." The Arts of Kashmir is curated by the highly respected Dr. Pratapaditya Pal, who has been engaged with the art of Kashmir for more than thirty years. Dr. Pal has conducted pioneering research on the arts of Tibet, Nepal, and India. A fully illustrated book, authored by Dr. Pal with contributions by Frank Ames, Simon Digby, Gerald James Larson, and John Siudmak—accompanies the exhibition. The book includes chapters on the distinctive architecture and other cultural expressions of Kashmir as well as photographs of the region's distinctively beautiful natural landscape.

Exhibition in New York, Asia Society and Museum (Oct. 3, 2007 - January 6, 2008). Cincinnati, 28 june -21 september 2008.