In the luminous world of Indian contemporary art, Jayasri Burman stands as a visionary who paints mythology not as a relic of the past, but as a living, breathing essence of the present. Her art bridges the ancient and the modern—where goddesses converse with mortals, and myths come alive in dazzling colour.
Born in Kolkata in 1960, Jayasri’s creative journey began at Kala Bhavan, Santiniketan, the hallowed ground of Indian modernism. Her distinctive visual language—rich in symbolic motifs, intricate detailing, and vibrant palettes—makes her one of India’s most admired artists today. Through her canvases, she celebrates womanhood, divinity, and the lyrical connection between humanity and nature.
Meet the Artist: A Journey from Santiniketan to the World
Jayasri Burman’s art is deeply rooted in memory and mythology. Influenced by the rituals, festivals, and folk traditions of Bengal, her early exposure to India’s narrative-rich culture shaped her lifelong fascination with mythic storytelling.
After her foundational training in Kala Bhavan, Shantiniketan, she refined her technique in Kolkata and later in Paris, immersing herself in both Indian and European art traditions. This duality—between rootedness and global vision—defines her artistic identity. Her works have since been exhibited across India, Singapore, Hong Kong, Switzerland, London, Germany, Tokyo, New York, and San Francisco, enchanting audiences with their mythic splendour.
The Signature Style: When Myth Meets Modernity
Jayasri Burman’s paintings unfold like illuminated manuscripts—each line, form, and colour is imbued with purpose. Her signature motifs include lotuses, elephants, birds, and celestial goddesses, all rendered in rich jewel tones.
Using mediums such as watercolour, pen, ink, and acrylic, she creates ornate compositions that merge miniature-style precision with a contemporary sensibility. Every canvas feels like a devotional hymn—where faith, femininity, and fantasy converge.
Her female protagonists are not passive muses; they are symbols of strength, grace, and divinity, reflecting her belief in the eternal feminine as a source of creation and resilience.
Record Breaker: “Abahana (Invocation)” and Beyond
In 2024, Burman made headlines when her monumental painting Abahana (Invocation) (2019), a 155 × 259.5 cm masterpiece in watercolour, acrylic, and pen on paper, sold for a record ₹1.14 crore at an auction in Delhi—far surpassing its estimate.
This sale reaffirmed her growing prominence in the international art market and signaled a broader recognition of contemporary Indian artists who blend mythic imagination with modern relevance.
Accolades and Legacy
Burman’s artistic journey has been marked by an array of awards and honors. She received the National Award in 1985 and was celebrated with a commemorative stamp issued by the Government of India on International Women’s Day in 2007. In 2016, she was invited to the President’s House as an Artist-in-Residence, and in 2017, she was recognized as an ICON of Indian Art by Verve Magazine.
These accolades underscore her influence not only as a painter but as a cultural ambassador—an artist who reinterprets India’s spiritual and feminine narratives for a global audience.
Notable Solo Exhibitions
Jayasri Burman’s solo shows have captivated audiences across continents, with each exhibition exploring new layers of myth and meaning. Her major showcases include:
- Fairytales and Laments – Palo Alto, 2005
- The Mythical Universe – New Delhi, 2010
- Gazing into Myth – Hong Kong, 2014
- Born of Fire – New York, 2018
- Dhārā – Mumbai, 2023
Each series is a visual symphony, revealing Burman’s evolving dialogue with mythological archetypes and her poetic approach to storytelling.
Themes and Series: A Universe of Mythic Narratives
- River of Faith
One of Jayasri Burman’s most acclaimed series, River of Faith, is an emotional and spiritual homage to the Ganges—the eternal river of life. Conceived in the aftermath of the pandemic, the series meditates on humanity’s relationship with nature, faith, and renewal.
Through paintings and sculptures, Burman personifies the river as a goddess—fluid, nurturing, yet powerful. Her art evokes the cyclical journey of life, death, and rebirth, reminding viewers to restore balance and harmony with the natural world.
This series exemplifies her role as both artist and humanist, using beauty as a form of ecological and spiritual awareness.
- Born of Fire
Inspired by the fierce and indomitable Draupadi from the Mahabharata, Born of Fire celebrates the essence of womanhood—resilient, passionate, and just.
Burman portrays Draupadi not as a victim of circumstance, but as a symbol of courage and justice. Through her art, Draupadi becomes a universal figure—one who speaks for women’s rights, equality, and self-worth.
The fiery hues and intricate lines evoke both the warmth of devotion and the blaze of rebellion, embodying Draupadi’s spirit as a timeless icon of strength.
- Born of Fire – Sketches
The companion series to Born of Fire, these sketches delve deeper into the emotional core of Draupadi’s journey. Using fluid linework and minimal colour, Burman explores the vulnerability and valour of the female form, transforming myth into metaphor.
- Primordial Power
In Primordial Power, Burman captures the sacred bond between faith, nature, and divine energy. Drawing from India’s ritual traditions, she uses votive symbols and the regal Bengal tiger as motifs of strength and protection.
This series mirrors India’s deep-rooted spirituality—where every prayer, offering, and symbol carries the power to heal and transform. The tiger, often associated with goddess Durga, becomes a metaphor for fearless feminine energy, echoing Adrienne Rich’s “Aunt Jennifer’s Tigers”—“prancing, proud, and unafraid.”
Publications and Contributions
Beyond her exhibitions, Burman’s art has been celebrated through publications such as Mythical Universe and Antaryatra, which document her evolution and artistic philosophy. Her works continue to inspire curators, collectors, and art scholars who view her as a leading voice in mythological modernism—a genre that bridges heritage and innovation.
Artistic Philosophy: The Eternal Feminine
At the heart of Jayasri Burman’s art lies a celebration of the eternal feminine. Her goddesses and heroines embody both fragility and power—reminding us that beauty is not passive, but transformative.
Her paintings transcend aesthetic pleasure; they are meditations on identity, spirituality, and renewal. In her universe, mythology is not an escape from reality—it is a lens through which we understand the present.
Why Jayasri Burman Matters Today
In a rapidly evolving art world, Jayasri Burman’s work stands as a bridge between tradition and modernity. Her art speaks across generations, reminding us that stories from ancient texts continue to resonate with our collective consciousness.By blending mythology with contemporary aesthetics, she invites viewers to rediscover the sacred in everyday life—to see divinity not on temple walls but within ourselves.
Final Thoughts
Jayasri Burman’s art is more than an expression—it is an experience. Her world is lush with symbols, her characters alive with grace and mystery. Whether through River of Faith, Born of Fire, or Primordial Power, she reimagines myth as a mirror to our times.
In celebrating her, we celebrate the art of storytelling, the power of the feminine, and the enduring spirit of India.
