Community, knowledge, media: Museum of Art and Photography features two diverse exhibitions

In 2014, PhotoSparks, a weekly feature of YourStory, began showcasing photographs that capture the essence of creativity and innovation. Over the past 1,020 posts, the series has highlighted a variety of events, including an art festival, a cartoon gallery, a world music festival, a telecom expo, a millets fair, a climate change expo, a wildlife conference, a startup festival, Diwali rangoli, and a jazz festival.

The Museum of Art & Photography (MAP) is currently presenting two remarkable exhibitions: "Grip, Hold, Pin" and "A Moving Line." Both exhibits will be on display until November of this year, as reported by YourStory.

Curated by Aayati Sengupta, the first exhibition, "Grip, Hold, Pin," delves into the history and contemporary significance of Indian wrestling as a cultural tradition. Sengupta explains that even before cameras captured wrestlers in the akhara, artists were already documenting the rituals, discipline, and symbolism associated with wrestling.

The exhibition features various works, such as early Ragamala paintings and textile labels, which demonstrate that wrestling was not merely a display of force but also an expression of community, identity, and labor. Artists represented in the exhibition include Jyoti Bhatt, Raghu Rai, TS Satyan, Indrajit Khambe, and Prarthna Singh.

Additionally, the exhibit explores contemporary practitioners and some recent political controversies surrounding the sport.

Sengupta emphasizes that wrestling is not just about competition; it is a way of life shaped by discipline, community, and generations of shared tradition. Wrestler Jyoti Khambe further elaborates on this point, stating that for him, wrestling transcends the realm of competition and embodies the essence of a way of life. The second exhibition, "A Moving Line," is also set to captivate visitors with its unique offerings.

Both exhibitions will be accessible to the public until November of this year, showcasing the rich cultural heritage and artistic expressions associated with Indian wrestling.