Curated by Uma Nair, “Farasnama: Legend of the Horse,” is organised into four thematic sections. The exhibition features Ali’s sketches and sculptures of horses, portraits of Zooni — a character inspired by his unfinished film — and a selection of calligraphy studies.
A significant part of the exhibit showcases Ali’s paintings of horses, reflecting his deep affection for these majestic animals and his appreciation for India’s indigenous horse breeds. “All the horses I have sketched and painted belong to the Indian sub-continent, adding soul to landscapes. I have always loved their free spirit and their inherent traits of love and loyalty,” Ali expressed.
Many of his large canvases honour the equine form as symbols of courage, valor, and vitality. Set against soft backgrounds, the stallions and mares are depicted amidst abstract landscapes, evoking a sense of the unknown while remaining vibrant.
“Horses embody a universal language of peace, beauty, and love. When a horse transitions from a brushstroke into color and form, it becomes an eternal truth, transforming painting into a healing, meditative art. To me, a horse is a darvesh in equine form, capturing timelessness and poetry in every stroke,” said Ali, who is also known for directing “Umrao Jaan.”
Ali’s fascination with horses extends across various mediums, now showcasing his bronzes for the first time. Inspired by his renowned painting ‘Hoshruba,’ each bronze captures a unique dimension—depicting horses in moments of fury, conversation, or bowing in submission, all reaching for the sky.
The exhibition also features intimate sculptures of horses cast as buckles, accompanied by leather belts adorned with etchings of galloping steeds against landscapes sketched by Ali.
Another highlight of the show is the series of Zooni portraits, which evoke nostalgia for an incomplete film set in Kashmir, featuring Dimple Kapadia. Detailed sketches of the character, architecture, and lifestyle serve as a prologue to the four feminine portraits on canvas, inspired by the film’s poetry and the shifting moods of Zooni across the seasons.
“As a curator known for showcasing masters, my experience with retrospectives allows me to navigate multiple references and sift through the material effectively. A curator must be passionate about creating enriching cultural experiences while exploring contemporary ideas. I hope to bring the Muzaffar Ali exhibition to Kolkata and other cities, alongside some of his earlier works,” Nair stated.
