An intimate glimpse into the centuries‑old Banaras Gharana arrives at Kokoro Art gallery this October. Curated by Vandana Sehgal and opened by IAS officer Amrit Abhijat, the show, titled MINIATURES: Banaras Gharana, gathers 39 paintings crafted with natural pigments across five generations of the tradition.

The works, ranging from delicate portraits to vibrant depictions of deities and everyday life, showcase the hallmarks of the school: fine drawing, subtle brushwork, controlled colour composition and intricate detailing. Names such as Ustad Mulchand Prasad, Ustad Ram Prasad, Ustad Sharda Prasad, Ustad Mukund Prasad, Ustad Gopal Prasad and Vansh Shri Yadav appear alongside the newest voice, seventh‑generation artist Ankit Prasad, who speaks of the guru‑shishya lineage that has kept the Mughal miniature discipline alive while allowing it to absorb the cultural fabric of Banaras.

Rooted in the legacy of Mughal court painting, the Banaras miniature style has gradually woven local themes—religious iconography, nature, social scenes—into its visual vocabulary. The exhibition not only celebrates technical mastery but also maps the evolution of a living tradition that continues to reflect the city’s spiritual and social landscape.

For visitors, the chance to stand before these finely rendered miniatures is a rare encounter with a lineage that has been handed down through generations, a testament to both artistic continuity and the vibrant adaptability of Indian miniature art.

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