KYNKYNY Art Gallery in Bangalore presents “Traditions | Transitions,” a compelling group exhibition that showcases how three contemporary Indian artists—Madan Meena, Veenita Chendvankar, and Mainaz Bano—reinterpret traditional art forms through modern perspectives. Running from September 27 to October 25, 2025, the exhibition demonstrates how indigenous artistic practices continue to evolve while maintaining their cultural significance.
Madan Meena: Preserving Rajasthani Heritage Through Contemporary Lens
Dr. Madan Meena stands as both an artist and researcher, dedicated to preserving the disappearing cultural heritage of his native Rajasthan. Born in 1974 in Sawai Madhopur, Meena hails from a community traditionally known for wall-art expertise, which forms the foundation of his artistic practice. His work seamlessly blends imagery from block printing motifs, vernacular architecture, and figures from the Koti-Bundi style of miniature painting.
Meena’s educational background includes a PhD focusing on “Art of the Meena Tribe,” where he extensively researched painting traditions by women of his ancestral community. His artistic practice involves collaboration with traditional Kota miniature artists, creating works that bridge historical techniques with contemporary themes. His notable “Baramasa” series, created between 2018 and 2021, reinterprets the traditional twelve-month poetic genre through modern contexts while maintaining connections to seasonal cycles and natural phenomena.
Featured Artworks by : Madan Meena
Veenita Chendvankar: Weaving Dreams with Traditional Motifs
Goa-based artist Veenita Chendvankar creates ethereal compositions that merge elements from various rural art traditions including Madhubani, Warli, and Gond art forms with Indian miniatures and Buddhist cave paintings. Her artistic practice is deeply intuitive, drawing from what she describes as her subconscious state influenced by the simplicity of her surrounding environment.
Chendvankar’s work is characterized by layered acrylics that create softly tinted backgrounds populated with floating figures, hybrid creatures, and divine beings. Her paintings celebrate nature through dream-like landscapes inhabited by insects, flora, fauna, and mythological elements. The artist acknowledges her debt to traditional folk forms, stating that “Folk art forms like Warli, Madhubani or even miniature all these traditional aspects find way to my style”.
Artwork by Veenita Chendvankar
Mainaz Bano: Contemporary Commentary Through Historical References
Contemporary visual artist Mainaz Bano draws inspiration from the rich visual culture of her hometown Lucknow and the legacy of Mughal miniatures. Her practice involves abstracting objects and figures from their original contexts and placing them in new environments, creating unusual combinations that challenge conventional hierarchies.
Bano’s work operates on both personal and collective levels, functioning as visual diary entries while addressing broader social constructs. She skillfully employs historical figures and traditional motifs to create contemporary commentaries, often incorporating elements of humor and satire. Her paintings, rendered in luminous pastel shades, are constructed in sequential formats with interconnected narratives that reflect the complexity of contemporary socio-political shifts.
Artworks by Mainaz Bano
The exhibition explores syncretic forms of expression that have absorbed influences from various aesthetic practices across time, geographies, and cultures. These works contribute to iconographies that remain deeply regional while reflecting global ideas, demonstrating the constantly evolving nature of artistic languages. The artists’ practices exemplify how tradition and modernity can coexist, with each drawing from their specific cultural lineages while addressing contemporary concerns.
The concept of “traditions in transition” reflects a broader movement in contemporary Indian art where artists serve as both custodians and innovators of cultural heritage. Rather than merely preserving traditional forms, these artists transform them to suit present contexts, creating new expressions that honor the past while speaking to contemporary audiences.
Exhibition Details
Exhibition Title: Traditions | Transitions
Artists: Madan Meena, Veenita Chendvankar, and Mainaz Bano
Duration: September 27 – October 25, 2025
Venue: KYNKYNY Art Gallery
Address: 104 Embassy Square, 148 Infantry Road, Bangalore 560001
Timings: Monday – Saturday, 11:00 AM – 6:00 PM (Closed Sundays)
Founded in 2004 by Namu Kini and Vivek Radhakrishnan, KYNKYNY Art Gallery has established itself as a premier destination for contemporary Indian art. With over 21 years of experience, the gallery has worked with more than 300 artists from across India and ships artwork globally. The gallery’s mission focuses on making Indian art more accessible while supporting both established and emerging artists through highly curated selections of original and authentic artworks.
Cover Image: Paradise | Veenita Chendvankar
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