​For all our collective national pride in the greatness of Indian art, especially that belonging to a remote and 'glorious' past, there has been very little curiosity about its makers. How did ancient and medieval Indian architects, sculptors and painters register their presence? How did they perceive themselves and their contributions as artists? What clues have they left behind to help us in catching a glimpse of their working methods and aspirations? Surprisingly, such questions were sidelined even in Indian art historical scholarship until about five decades ago.