In India, the cow is more than an animal—it’s a cultural and spiritual icon. Today’s artists are giving it a modern twist, moving beyond its sacred roots in ancient carvings and mythology to reflect new meanings on canvases, murals, and digital platforms.
Contemporary artists like Subodh Gupta use cows—or their milk pails and dung—to explore rural life and globalization. Orijit Sen turns the cow into a political symbol, mirroring debates over cow protection. Street artists splash it on city walls with humor and critique, while pop-inspired creators churn out quirky cow prints for the Instagram age.
Kamal Koria, brings a vibrant personal take to the cow character. Born in Gujarat, his bold acrylic paintings often feature cows from rural India, painted in bright bold shapes and colors. His works, like those in his India to Leicester exhibition, blend nostalgia with contemporary flair, showing cows as lively characters tied to his Kathiawar heritage. They evoke both cultural pride, a reflection of rural life.
Whether it’s MF Husain’s tender paintings, Thukral & Tagra’s ironic installations, or Ketaki Sheth’s urban cow photos, the cow mirrors India’s evolving story.