

India’s 1998 nuclear tests
Dec 6, 2024
Nalini Malani, an Indian artist known for her work on social and political issues, reflects on India’s 1998 nuclear tests and their ramifications. She shares her memories of the national pride felt by some and the disapproval from others who viewed it as a betrayal of Gandhi's ideals. Malani discusses her impactful video installation that captured the horrors of nuclear conflict, revealing the personal trauma from the partition of India, and explores how these historical events shaped the artistic landscape in 1990s India.
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Partition's Impact
- Nalini Malani's grandfather, a landowner, refused to leave his ancestral property during the Partition.
- He believed he wouldn't be affected, but was eventually forced to move and died of a broken heart five years later.
Film's Accessibility
- Nalini Malani's art focused on social issues, using film to reach a wider audience in India.
- She believed that film was more accessible than painting, which she saw as elitist, because cinema was a ubiquitous form of entertainment.
Artistic Response
- Following India's 1998 nuclear tests, Nalini Malani received a call from Star News asking for her opinion as an artist.
- This prompted her to create an artwork about the tests, showcasing it within a year.