ARTISTIC INTERPRETATIONS OF WATER ISSUES IN THE CONTEXT OF URBANISM : THE YAMUNA RIVER IN DELHI

Abstract [English]

The present paper explores the reflection of water issues within urban spaces in contemporary art practices, specifically focusing on the Yamuna river in Delhi. The Yamuna holds historical and religious significance and plays a crucial role in meeting the water needs of Delhi's 31.2 million population. However, the rapid urbanization of Delhi has led to detrimental consequences for the river, including increased pollution levels, encroachment on river banks, water scarcity, reduced water flow and detachment from its surroundings. The paper examines contemporary artistic interventions that address these ecological concerns through new media, site-specific art projects and public art. The aim of this paper is to identify those artists and to discuss the various artistic modalities in which these ecological concerns are addressed in the form of aesthetical structures and to discover how art is functionalized as a social and collective agent to create awareness among the public. It also aims to explore how artists are incorporating the ecological aspect of Urbanity in their works. the methodology involves interviews with artists, where their creative insights are explored to discern the multifaceted relationship between the river's ecological challenges and urban development. The study employs an interdisciplinary approach that sheds light on the complex interplay between environmental concerns and artistic expression. the paper concludes how art functions as a social and collective agent, raising awareness among the public about the ecological urgency caused by rampant urbanization.