The Body of the Ascetic is a compelling exhibition currently on view at DAG, New Delhi, running from 30 August to 18 October 2025. Curated by the eminent art critic Gayatri Sinha, this exhibition explores the evolving visual representations of asceticism across the Indian subcontinent, spanning centuries, cultures, faiths, and traditions. By drawing on the extensive DAG collection, the exhibition deeply engages with India’s rich legacy of sacred discipline, austerity, and renunciation manifested through art.
Artworks featured: Ardeshir Ruishajee Tavaria | An Old Fakir & Pestonji Bomanji | A Head of a Gosain
The exhibition traverses a wide historical and spiritual landscape, from Jainism, Buddhism, Shaivism, Vaishnavism, to Islamic and Sufi traditions, revealing the pluralistic nature of ascetic figures. It presents ascetics not only in their conventional mystic roles but also highlights interpretations that challenge or reimagine established norms. Works range from colonial-era depictions laden with exoticism by artists like Marius Bauer and William Daniell, to modernist portrayals by Bikash Bhattacharjee, M. A. R. Chughtai, and Bireswar Sen, each bringing unique artistic vocabularies to the theme.
A standout piece is the Shatrunjaya Patha textile, a visual map of the sacred Jain pilgrimage site in Gujarat, symbolizing the intersection of renunciation, sacred geography, and spiritual lineage. The exhibition also features influential ascetic figures whose lives intertwined with religious, social, and political histories, including Ramakrishna Paramhansa and Swami Vivekananda.
Kshitindranath Mazumdar | Sant Haridas | & Hugo Vilfred Pedersen | An Old Buddhist Temple at Mendoot
Ashish Anand, CEO and MD of DAG, remarks, “Over four millennia, India has witnessed diverse ascetic traditions shaped by empires and faiths. Yet, the core impulse of the ascetic body remains to transcend the physical realm and attain a higher spiritual truth.” Curator Gayatri Sinha adds, “The enigmatic figure of the sannyasi weaves through history as mystic, wanderer, and performance artist, revealing a powerful force that continues to shape faith, art, and public life.”
Accompanying the exhibition is a scholarly book edited by Sinha, featuring essays that explore gender, sectarian traditions, syncretic spiritualities, and the politicized aspects of asceticism in Indian art and culture.
Exhibition details:
- The Body of the Ascetic
- Dates: 30 August – 18 October 2025
- Venue: DAG Gallery, 22A Windsor Place, Janpath, New Delhi
- Timings: Monday – Saturday, 11:00 AM – 7:00 PM
This exhibition invites visitors to reconsider asceticism not as mere withdrawal from the world but as a dynamic, transformative force pivotal to Indian art and spirituality. It offers a rare and profound glimpse into the continuing significance of ascetic bodies in shaping cultural and religious narratives in India.
Cover Image: Unidentified Artist (Jain Art) | A Jain Pilgrimage Map of Satrunjaya
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