Serpent Motifs in Art and Myth

Speaker: Balan Nambiar

March 26, 1998 | 6.30 pm
Little Theatre, National Centre for the Performing Arts, Mumbai

Serpent worship has existed since the dawn of civilisation. Myths and legends abound with serpents and the Hindu mythology attributes divinity to the serpent. Shrines and temples have been built for serpents and there are many rituals related to serpent worship. As an expression, every art form has been influenced by the serpent. This presentation supported by slides will illustrate how serpent motifs have been depicted in plastic and performing arts with particular reference to South India.

Eminent painter, sculptor, and photographer, Balan Nambiar has participated in numerous exhibitions in India and abroad. As a research scholar, he is the recipient of a Senior Fellowship of the Ministry of Education as well as the prestigious Jawaharlal Nehru Fellowship and has undertaken an intensive research and documentation programme on the ritual art forms of Kerala and Karnataka.