The human body has served as the greatest muse, ever. Artists, through millenniums, have been obsessed with its representation, direct or suggested. And this image of man - set in stone, painted on porcelain or lent to a shapely bracelet is the theme of an exhibition organised by the British Council in celebration of India's 50th year of Independence. Titled Enduring Image, it took almost as much effort to put up as the Head of Amenophis III - the most catching exhibit - might have taken some 3,000 years ago to install.The exhibition, which opens today, brings 332 artefacts from the collection of the British Museum - "Rare treasures which were known to us only through the pages of textbooks," says Dr Saryu Doshi, honorary director of the National Gallery of Modern Art (NGMA), where the exhibition is being hosted. Slices from 11 civilisations - Egypt, Japan, China, India, West Asia, Greece, Rome, Europe from pre-history to medieval times, sub-Saharan Africa and pre-Columbian America - make upthe collection. The planning for this mega-show started three years ago and it took hundreds of people to get the exhibition down. After a three-month showing at Delhi's NGMA, Enduring Images has come to Mumbai for the same period. Richard Blurton, the curator, who is also the assistant keeper (Oriental Antiquities), says that it is the biggest loan in the history of the British Museum. "It is a representative collection from the various departments of the museum and 1/8th of it is Indian," he says.The job of putting up the exhibition, which cost one million pounds, is also something which required special departments. Besides the tedious task of transportation - everything was flown down with some delicate pieces requiring human couriers - the designing of the show also took expertise. Ivor Heal was in charge of the lighting and design. The designing lends itself beautifully to the artefacts and since it was done according to the shape of the hall, both Delhi and Mumbai got individual attention.Climactically controlled glass cases have been installed and as dog squads sniff around them, you wonder at the value of the these treasures. "They are invaluable. How can you put a price to a Greek amphora. It's just there," says Dr Roopa Patel, head, cultural activities, British Council, Mumbai. The security net at the museum is as tight as a noose. A R Karanjkar, who is heading the Central Industrial Security Force at the exhibition, says there are around 100 men on the premises. "Some are plainclothesmen, some as guides in case there is an emergency, and some to keep a watch on the crowds. We have also installed video cameras and security dogs will come regularly," he says.With the crowds in Delhi swelling to more than a 1,000 a day - Karanjkar's men will be on their toes through the exhibition. But that is exactly what the British Council wants. The entrance is free and along with explanations in Hindi and English next to each exhibit, there will be guides to take visitors around. Also 20 audiocassettes with earphones have been arranged. "We want to keep it as non-elitist as possible," says Robert Frost, director, West India, British Council.The focus group though is school children. Educational material has already been sent to school teachers and many schools will be bringing their students to view this exhibition. Satellite activities such as talks, workshops, lectures and seminars on various Indian arts and crafts, poetry, literature and so on have been arranged throughout the period of the exhibition. Says Badri Narayan, painter, who will host a workshop on myth, storytelling and painting for families in March, "These artefacts are connected with myths and images which lead to painting and storytelling. It is very good that children specially will get a chance to see this exhibition." Vikas Dilawari, who will conduct an open-air bus tour of heritage buildings in Fort agrees with that, "I think this will be one of the biggest events of the year."But among all the hype, there seems to be adichotomy of purpose in the exhibition - these artefacts, most centuries old, are being shown at the museum of modern art. Doshi brushes aside the question saying that it is the thought which build these treasures that counts, "These are visions of excellence expressed through art forms and modern thinking is also the same. Why compartmentalise them as modern or ancient?"But amidst all the discussion - a simple fact remains - this is an exhibition to be seen, not talked about.At the NGMA, CJ Hall, Kala Ghoda till May 03, 1998. Time: 10.00 am to 5.00 pm.
