A Rare Dual Opening in the Capital
A truly rare artistic moment arrives in New Delhi this February with the simultaneous opening of two ground-breaking solo exhibitions—The Enigma of Jaipur and The Jadugar of Jaipur. Presented by The Crites Collection in collaboration with ICA Gallery – Jaipur, the exhibitions offer a deep dive into Rajasthan’s “outsider” art movement through the works of the late Nannu Singh and contemporary visionary Nagdas.
Curatorial Vision Rooted in Indigenous Art Scholarship
The exhibitions are conceptualised by indigenous art scholar Minhazz Majumdar and renowned American expert Mitchell A. K. Crites, alongside the Bansal family of ICA Gallery, Jaipur. Crites has spent over 55 years in India working with folk, tribal, and tantric artists, while the Bansal family has been custodians of one of Jaipur’s most significant collections of Sanskrit documents and traditional miniatures for three generations.
The Enigma of Jaipur: Nannu Singh’s Visionary Legacy
The Enigma of Jaipur showcases the work of the extraordinary self-taught artist Nannu Singh (1905–2005), often referred to as the “Picasso of India.” His contemplative paintings—created on handmade paper using stone-ground and mineral pigments—bridge folk and tantric traditions with modern abstraction. Stylised yet deeply spiritual, Singh’s works evoke mystery and inner conflict, situating identity and belief between past and present. Crites regards him as one of the most significant and creative Indian artists of the last century.
The Jadugar of Jaipur: Nagdas and Mythic Imagination
In contrast, The Jadugar of Jaipur presents the powerful black-and-white paintings of Nagdas, a young self-trained artist whose work channels the spirit of the “jadugar” or magician. His hypnotic compositions are populated by therianthropes—hybrid beings merging human, animal, and mythical forms—drawn from folk myths, oral traditions, and personal vision. Working intuitively without preparatory sketches, Nagdas treats art as spiritual worship, constructing worlds where the real and the mythical coexist.
A Shared Creative Pulse from the Pink City
While distinct in tone and approach, both exhibitions are united by their engagement with the protean creativity of Jaipur—celebrated here as a true City of Artists. Together, the shows reveal how folk memory, spirituality, and imagination continue to inform contemporary outsider practices.
Hosted at India Habitat Centre
Spread across the Visual Arts Gallery and the Open Palm Court at the India Habitat Centre, the twin exhibitions underscore the curatorial mission of The Crites Collection and ICA Gallery – Jaipur to foreground significant artist voices and foster meaningful conversations within contemporary Indian art.
Exhibition at a Glance
| Aspects | Details |
|---|---|
| Exhibitions | The Enigma of Jaipur & The Jadugar of Jaipur |
| Artists | Nannu Singh (late) & Nagdas |
| Preview | February 2, 2026 |
| Show Dates | February 3–9, 2026 |
| Timings | 11 AM – 7 PM (Daily) |
| Venue | Visual Arts Gallery & Open Palm Court, India Habitat Centre, New Delhi |
| Presented By | The Crites Collection & ICA Gallery – Jaipur |
Conclusion
Together, The Enigma of Jaipur and The Jadugar of Jaipur offer two singular yet complementary journeys into the artistic soul of Jaipur. By bringing together visionary works by Nannu Singh and Nagdas, the exhibitions promise an immersive experience for collectors, scholars, and art enthusiasts—revealing how outsider art continues to shape and challenge narratives within contemporary Indian art.
