Narendra Kumar’s practice explores the evolving meaning of symbols rooted in cultural and religious traditions. His work reflects on how ancient reverence for natural elements has shifted towards idol worship, questioning what is preserved, altered, or forgotten over time. Blending abstract forms with imagery
from both temple and urban life, he examines the changing nature of devotion—where traditional rituals meet modern contexts. His time in Santiniketan deeply shaped this inquiry, prompting reflections on the fading sacredness of nature in belief systems shaped by progress and modernity.
At the core of his work lies the tension between divine glorification and human vanity. He raises questions about the purpose of worship: is it directed towards
the essence of the divine, or the material presence of the idol itself? Through these visual dialogues, Narendra invites viewers to reconsider the shifting forms and meanings of faith in the contemporary