Sarayu’s Museum Adventure

Sarayu wants to create a self-portrait for class, so she and Mummy set off to the museum. There, they are drawn into the world of Amrita Sher-Gil, from intimate self-portraits to vivid scenes of daily life. As Sarayu walks through the galleries, she discovers the breathtaking art of a painter who, even from a young age, was captivated by the act of painting.

Amrita Sher-Gil (1913–1941), a Hungarian–Indian artist, is often called one of the greatest avant-garde women painters of the early 20th century and a pioneer of modern Indian art. She gained fame at nineteen with her painting Young Girls and continued to draw inspiration from everyday life, her travels, and traditional Indian art. With honesty and emotion, she captured people and moments, leaving behind works that today are considered some of the most important in Indian art history.

About the Author: Anusha Ramanathan is a lawyer and collector of picture books and antique jewellery. She has spent many happy mornings with her daughters exploring museums across India.

About the Illustrator: Chandrima Chatterjee is an illustrator and artist based in New Delhi. She loves drawing lots of things, especially those that involve portraying warm fuzzy feelings. Most days you will find her buried in her sketchbook, head in the clouds.