When it comes to creative events in Delhi NCR, the months of May and June are regarded the month of silence. People these days prefer to spend their time at a hill station distant from Delhi for a variety of reasons, including school holidays and an exceptionally hot summer. If they are unable to do so for any reason, their first priority is to remain locked inside their homes. Despite this, some creative artists or art organizations are breaking the silence. Something similar occurred on the evening of June 27th at the Korean Cultural Center in New Delhi, where a group show was to be launched. Despite the intense heat and humidity, a great number of artists and art enthusiasts were there. This group exhibition features Indian and Korean artists. Prof. Niren Sen Gupta, Kalicharan Gupta,Santosh Kumar Verma, Meena Deora and Shovin Bhattacharjee are among the Indian artists represented on the list, while Korean artists include Minjoo Lee, Seongkyoo Lee, Mansoo Lee, Eunsook Lee, and Hojun Kim.

The history of India-Korea connections began in 48 AD, when Suriratna, an Indian princess, married a South Korean monarch, ushering in a new dynasty in Korea. It is worth noting that the Indian state of Tamil Nadu and Korea share similarities in culture, food, language, music, and dance. However, Buddhism was introduced here later on, thanks to the efforts of Korea’s royal courts, and it was later adopted by other areas of society as well. In the late sixth century, Korean monks journeyed along trade routes to China and India for Buddhist study. The Hangeul alphabet, which emerged as a result of this interchange, is related to the Indian Tamil alphabet. Hangeul also incorporates the old Indian idea of zero. With such a fascinating historical background, India and Korea resumed diplomatic relations in the twentieth century.

Looking at the Indian contemporary art scene, we can see that we are far behind in terms of cultural exchange with Asian countries. Especially when compared to the art scenes of Europe and America. Our artists and art students, as well as art critics, are conversant with European and Western art movements, but the same level of knowledge does not exist with South Asian countries. In such a context, this noble initiative by a group of Indian artists and the Korean Culture Centre in India is greatly appreciated.
Hwang Il-yong, Director of the Korean Cultural Center India, explains the exhibition’s significance and role by writing:
“Korea and India clearly share a bond and intimacy with each other based on cultural similarities. From the tales of King Kim Suro and Indian Princess Heo who married with the king during the Gaya period, the transmission of culture through Buddhism, the sharing of the spirit of resistance and independence that supported each other from afar in the face of modern colonial rule, the participation of the Indian medical unit in the Korean War to the current special strategic partnership relation, we have continued to maintain goodwill and friendship. The theme of this exhibition, which hopes that the long-standing resonance between these two countries will continue forever, embodies the aspirations not only of our Cultural Center but also of the two countries.

With the goal of satisfying all five artistic senses of those who visit the exhibition by capturing the cultural homogeneity and bond between the two countries, Korea and India, we hope this exhibition would be an important milestone in the field of art and culture in the journey of eternal partnership between Korea and India.We would like to express our deepest gratitude to the Korea-India Contemporary Artists Association and the participating Korean and Indian artists who planned and prepared this exhibition, especially to Lee Minjoo, the president of the Association.
I hope that the two countries, Korea and India, will continue to expand and deepen the relation as they continue to ‘vibrate’ and ‘resonate’ with each other. To this end, we Korean Cultural Centre India, also promise to continue our role as a mediator in the field of culture and arts between the two countries. Thank you.”
The exhibition will continue till September 27, so art lovers with a special interest in contemporary Asian art; This is a special occasion for them.