Heroes and Villians: The Battle for Good in India’s Comics at LACMA

Ramayama | Photo courtesy of LACMA

LACMA’s exhibit Heroes and Villains: The Battle for Good in India’s Comics, opened last month and features 53 paintings, works on paper, and vintage comic books that examines India’s divine heroes and heroines the genre of comic books.

According to LACMA:

Indian superheroes and their archenemies are visualized from ancient archetypes that have long been depicted in traditional painting and sculpture, and are deeply ingrained in India’s historical imagination. In the twenty-first century new incarnations of ancient Indian gods and goddesses are made manifest as modern superheroes brought to Earth to vanquish the evil forces. Demons take the form of modern villains, and raise havoc in today’s troubled times.

The exhibit, which ends on Feb. 7, 2010, also serves as the inspiration and theme for the MUSE Costume Ball tomorrow night at LACMA.