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Parallel Languages

Six Artists Explore the Invisible Threads of Connection

New Delhi: Art is often understood through individual expression—the distinctive line, colour, material or visual language that separates one artist from another. Yet artistic practice is rarely a solitary phenomenon. Ideas travel across places, techniques pass from one generation to another, and institutions, teachers, cultures and encounters leave their imprint on the creative journey. It is this network of visible and invisible connections that forms the foundation of ‘Entanglements: The Imperative of Belonging’, a group exhibition bringing together six notable artists at the India International Centre Annexe Gallery, New Delhi.

Organised by Gallery Sree Arts, the exhibition features the works of Kanchan Chander, Kavita Nayar, Nanda Dulal Mukherjee, Sabia, Sukhvinder Singh and Siddhant Medhi. Curated by award-winning curator Jitendra Padam Jain and conceptualised by Annkush B. Sharma, the show examines the idea that artistic practices, however different they may appear, often exist in a larger conversation with one another.

The exhibition creates a meeting point between six individual artistic voices. Their approaches may differ in material, form and subject, but beneath these differences lies a shared engagement with process, meaning and the enduring human desire to create. Entanglements looks beyond obvious similarities and instead traces the subtle threads that connect artists across geographies, artistic disciplines and experiences of learning.

Some of the participating artists have explored both painting and printmaking, while others have remained closely committed to painting as their primary language. Their journeys of artistic education have also moved across different regions and countries—from India to international centres of learning, from Delhi and West Bengal to places such as London and Japan. These varied experiences bring together local traditions and global influences, creating what may be described as parallel languages of artistic expression.

The exhibition also reflects upon the continued relevance of the Santiniketan philosophy, where nature, craft and humanism remain central to the understanding of art. Across drawing, painting, murals and sculpture, the works engage with the handmade and the organic while remaining open to contemporary ideas and international perspectives. Training and exposure from institutions such as Jamia Millia Islamia, Delhi College of Art, Visva Bharati University, Santiniketan, and universities abroad further add to the diverse intellectual and visual backgrounds represented in the exhibition.

Kanchan Chander brings to the exhibition a layered visual vocabulary shaped by her experience in both painting and printmaking, as well as her artistic training in India and abroad. Her practice reflects the possibilities that emerge when different methods of image-making intersect and inform one another.

Kavita Nayar contributes a nuanced exploration of form and surface, creating a distinct visual presence within the larger dialogue of the exhibition. Her work adds another dimension to the idea that artistic language is shaped not only by subject matter but also by the physical and conceptual processes through which an artwork comes into being.

The practice of Nanda Dulal Mukherjee carries strong resonances of the Santiniketan ethos. Working across drawing, painting, murals and sculpture, his artistic journey reflects an engagement with multiple forms of expression while remaining connected to broader ideas of nature, craft and human experience.

Meanwhile, Sabia, Sukhvinder Singh and Siddhant Medhi bring their own distinct registers to the exhibition. Moving through intuitive abstraction and figurative narratives, their works create different points of entry into the larger theme of connection. Rather than attempting to establish a single aesthetic identity, the exhibition allows these diverse approaches to remain independent while placing them in dialogue with one another.

For curator Jitendra Padam Jain, art extends beyond the limits of a frame or a single discipline. As the Founder and Managing Director of Gallery Sree Arts, Jain has developed a wide-ranging curatorial practice and has been associated with exhibitions and art initiatives involving the Japan Biennale, Lalit Kala Akademi, IGNCA and international art fairs in Tokyo, Qatar and Nevada, USA. His own academic and artistic journey—from an MFA at Jamia Millia Islamia to further training in painting at S.E.C.C., Saint Petersburg—also reflects the movement of artistic knowledge across geographical and cultural boundaries.

The conceptual framework of the exhibition has been developed by Annkush B. Sharma, Co-Founder of Gallery Sree Arts, curator and author. With artistic training from Rabindra Bharati University, Kolkata, and S.E.C.C., Saint Petersburg, Sharma’s own journey across India and abroad informs the central idea of Entanglements. The exhibition proposes that art is a shared conversation—one in which techniques migrate, lineages intersect and artists continue to learn from worlds beyond their immediate surroundings.

As a platform for contemporary art, Gallery Sree Arts has consistently sought to encourage dialogue between artists, cultures and pedagogical traditions. Through Entanglements: The Imperative of Belonging, the gallery extends this commitment by presenting art as a bridge between regions, generations and different ways of seeing.

The exhibition was inaugurated with a vernissage on 18 August 2026 at 6:00 PM and will remain on view from 19 to 28 August 2026 at the India International Centre Annexe Gallery, New Delhi. Organised by Gallery Sree Arts, the presentation offers viewers an opportunity to encounter six distinct artistic practices brought together through a shared exploration of learning, migration, material and belonging.

Ultimately, Entanglements: The Imperative of Belonging is more than a presentation of six individual practices. It becomes a map of artistic journeys—of how learning moves from one place to another, how influences evolve, and how seemingly different creative paths can intersect. In this space of exchange, each artist retains a distinctive voice, yet together they reveal something larger: the possibility of belonging within difference.

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Inner Vision

25 Artists Turn Their Inner Worlds into Art at India Habitat Centre

New Delhi witnessed a vibrant celebration of artistic diversity with INNER VISION, a group art exhibition that brought together the creative voices of 25 artists at the Open Palm Court, India Habitat Centre, Lodhi Road. Organised and curated by Kishore Labar, the exhibition was inaugurated on 17 August 2026 in the presence of eminent sculptor and painter Prof. Biman Bihari Das, Padma Shri awardee and President of AIFACS, along with Dr. Rashmi Singh, IAS, Secretary, Women & Child Development and Art, Culture & Languages, Government of NCT of Delhi.

The inaugural evening brought together senior artists, cultural personalities, art enthusiasts and distinguished guests, setting the tone for an exhibition that seeks to look beyond conventional ideas of visual representation. Rather than simply presenting what the eye sees, INNER VISION examines what happens when an artist observes, feels, remembers and imagines—and then translates those internal experiences into art.

At the heart of the exhibition is the idea that art often begins with something intangible. A landscape may evoke a memory, a person may trigger an emotion, an everyday experience may inspire reflection, or an empty canvas may become a space for imagination. Through colour, line, texture, form and composition, these impressions acquire a visible identity.

Curator Kishore Labar describes INNER VISION as an exploration of the world that exists within an artist. According to him, artists do not merely reproduce what they see; they interpret the world through their own experiences, emotions, memories and imagination. By bringing artists belonging to different generations and using different artistic languages together, the exhibition creates an opportunity for audiences to encounter a wide range of personal visual worlds.

The diversity of practices on display is one of the exhibition’s strongest features. Visitors encounter contemporary and modern paintings, abstraction, landscapes, figurative works, traditional and miniature art, Madhubani painting and sculpture. Despite their differences in technique and subject matter, the participating artists are connected by a common impulse—to transform an internal response to the world into a creative statement.

The exhibition also places particular emphasis on dialogue between generations. The participation of young artist Anmol Labar alongside established and senior practitioners demonstrates the organisers’ commitment to creating opportunities for emerging talent. A student of Ahlcon International School, Anmol began creating art at the age of five and has already produced more than 400 artworks. His participation reflects the belief that young artists can meaningfully contribute to the contemporary art conversation when provided with professional platforms.

Among the senior voices is Amita Singhal, a BFA and MFA Gold Medalist from M.D. University, whose practice explores culture, nature and feminine emotions. Her exhibition history includes prominent platforms such as India Habitat Centre, Lalit Kala Akademi and AIFACS. Another notable participant is Kiran Soni Gupta, senior artist and former IAS officer, whose artistic journey has taken her work to exhibitions in India and abroad. Her academic and cultural leadership experience adds another dimension to the exhibition’s multidisciplinary character.

The show also features the work of veteran miniature painter Mange Ram Sharma, who has around 45 years of artistic practice and has participated in more than 200 national and international exhibitions. His numerous honours, including recognition from AIFACS and a Senior Fellowship from the Ministry of Culture, underline the depth of experience represented at INNER VISION.

Traditional and contemporary practices intersect through artists such as Nisha Kumari, an MFA-qualified artist and Fine Art Instructor at Manav Rachna University. With around 18 years of experience, she is particularly known for Madhubani and modern art and has been an 11-time State Gold Medalist in Madhubani Painting in Bihar. Her participation strengthens the exhibition’s engagement with India’s rich traditional artistic vocabulary.

Nature, landscape and abstraction find varied interpretations through artists including Navita Kaushik, whose subjects range from horses and nature to abstract compositions, and Riena A. Jain, whose acrylic landscapes employ textures, impasto and palette-knife techniques. Ranjan Kumar Choudhury approaches landscape through memory, atmosphere and personal experience, rather than treating it merely as documentation.

Other participating artists bring equally distinctive perspectives. Shalini Agrawal draws inspiration from mythology, spirituality and nature, while Shashi Lata is recognised for her sensitive watercolour landscapes. Vidushi explores birds, freedom and movement through bold geometric and expressive forms. Vinod Kanwar, with more than 27 years of experience across oil, acrylic and watercolour, explores spirituality, symbolism and inner consciousness.

The sculptural dimension of the exhibition is represented by artists including Bishwaranjan Bhunia, who works across stone, glass, clay, metal and canvas; Dr. Prince Raj, an accomplished sculptor and painter, CCRT Senior Fellow and National Award recipient from AIFACS; and Shiv Raj Singh, a BFA and MFA graduate of the College of Art, Delhi, with more than two decades of teaching experience.

The remaining participants—Anjali Mittal, Dinesh Kumar, Jatin Chaudhary, Kumud Grover, Madhulika Jha, Manju Narain, Dr. Mohini Narain, Praveen Kumar Saini, Ranvir Singh Thakur and Seema Kholi—further expand the exhibition’s visual vocabulary with their individual approaches to imagination, observation, experience and expression.

Together, the 25 artists demonstrate that there is no single definition of an ‘inner vision’. For one artist, it may emerge through a remembered landscape; for another, through mythology, nature, spirituality or abstraction. It can appear in the movement of a horse, the flight of a bird, the textures of a landscape or the symbolic language of a sculpture.

By placing emerging, mid-career and senior artists on the same platform, INNER VISION moves beyond age and artistic categorisation. It creates a space where different experiences and visual languages can coexist and encourage dialogue. The exhibition also reflects Kishore Labar’s continuing effort to bring artists from diverse backgrounds together and strengthen interaction between artists, audiences and the wider cultural community.

INNER VISION is on view from 17 to 21 August 2026, from 11:00 AM to 8:00 PM, at the Open Palm Court, India Habitat Centre, Lodhi Road, New Delhi. The exhibition offers visitors an opportunity not only to view works of art, but also to consider the invisible journeys of thought, emotion, memory and imagination that often lie behind them.

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QUANTUM

Where Science Meets Art, Imagination and Possibility

From the mysterious behaviour of subatomic particles to technologies that are transforming everyday life, QUANTUM, the latest interdisciplinary exhibition at Science Gallery Bengaluru, invites visitors to explore a world where the unexpected becomes possible.

Opening from 8 August 2026, QUANTUM is a year-long exhibition that explores the fascinating and often counterintuitive principles of quantum physics through art, science and design. Featuring 34 exhibits by more than 14 interdisciplinary artists from six countries, the exhibition transforms complex scientific ideas into engaging and immersive experiences through interactive installations, speculative artworks and historical archives.

At the heart of QUANTUM are some of quantum physics’ most intriguing concepts, including superposition, entanglement, tunnelling and the observer effect. These ideas, which can often seem abstract and difficult to understand, are presented through creative experiences that encourage visitors to question their understanding of reality, observation and possibility.

The exhibition also explores how quantum science extends beyond the microscopic world to influence everyday life. Although quantum phenomena occur at incredibly small scales, their principles have contributed to technologies that have become an important part of modern society. By bringing together scientific discoveries and artistic interpretations, QUANTUM demonstrates how ideas from the world of particles can have far-reaching implications.

Designed to be accessible to a diverse audience, all exhibits and walkthroughs are available in Kannada and English. Visitors do not need a background in physics to enjoy the exhibition; instead, they are encouraged to discover, experiment and ask questions. The experience is equally suited to students, families, art enthusiasts and anyone curious about the mysteries of the universe.

The exhibition programme will expand from September 2026 with Student Learning Modules, weekend workshops and public lectures. The calendar will also feature annual celebrations, food festivals and film screenings, along with themed walkthroughs and interactive sessions led by Science Gallery Bengaluru’s Experimentors and Mediators.

QUANTUM is open from Wednesday to Sunday at Science Gallery Bengaluru on Bellary Road. Visitors can explore the exhibition from 10 AM to 6 PM on Wednesdays and Thursdays, and from 10 AM to 8 PM on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. The exhibition is free and open to all, making it an accessible opportunity for Bengaluru’s residents and visitors to experience the fascinating intersection of science, art and design.

More than an exhibition about physics, QUANTUM is an invitation to rethink what we believe we know about reality. It brings scientific inquiry and creative imagination together to explore uncertainty, interconnectedness and the endless possibilities that emerge when we look at the universe from a quantum perspective.

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London Tops As Art And Culture Capital

Jaipur shines among top cultural destinations.

The world’s passion for art and culture continues to grow, and the latest 2026 Time Out ranking of the best cities for art and culture highlights the destinations that are shaping the global creative landscape. Topping the list is London, a city renowned for its extraordinary blend of history, contemporary creativity, world-class museums, and thriving cultural institutions.

London’s position at number one comes as no surprise. Home to iconic landmarks, celebrated galleries and a dynamic arts scene, the city attracts millions of visitors each year. Its ability to preserve heritage while embracing innovation has made it a global benchmark for cultural excellence.

The ranking also features several other major cultural capitals, including cities known for their museums, architecture, performing arts, festivals and creative communities. These destinations continue to invest in cultural infrastructure and public engagement, making art accessible to residents and visitors alike.

For India, the biggest highlight is Jaipur’s impressive placement at number 18. Often referred to as the Pink City, Jaipur has long been admired for its rich artistic traditions, magnificent palaces, historic architecture, and vibrant crafts culture. The city’s thriving ecosystem of artisans, galleries, cultural festivals, and heritage conservation initiatives have helped it gain international recognition as a leading cultural destination.

Jaipur’s growing prominence reflects the increasing global appreciation for Indian art, design, and traditional craftsmanship. From miniature paintings and block printing to contemporary exhibitions and cultural events, the city offers a unique blend of the old and the new. The 2026 rankings demonstrate that art and culture remain powerful drivers of tourism, economic growth, and community identity. As cities around the world compete to nurture creativity and preserve their heritage, destinations like London continue to set global standards, while Jaipur’s rise signals India’s growing influence on the international cultural stage.

For art enthusiasts, travellers and creative professionals, these rankings provide inspiration for exploring some of the world’s most culturally enriching destinations.

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Young Artists’ Show in Hyderabad

The show reflects the evolving landscape of contemporary Indian art.

Emerging Palettes.16, presented by Srishti Art Gallery in collaboration with Goethe- Zentrum Hyderabad, returned with its sixteenth edition, showcasing emerging artistic talent from across India. The show opened on May 29, 2026, at Srishti Art Gallery in Jubilee Hills, Hyderabad. It featured ten carefully selected artists who completed their Master’s degrees in Fine Arts within the last four years.

The participating artists were — Ayantika Sajwal, Rahul Ghosh, Richardson Benedict, Ritwika Ganguly, Sahil Kumar, Sai Gitanjali Poluru, Sarvagya J Nair, Sayak Mohanta, Shadiya C K, and Vishnupriya G P— who represent a new generation of practitioners whose works are informed by personal experiences, social observations, memory and the complexities of everyday life. Through painting, printmaking, installation, sound, performance and mixed-media approaches, the artists explored contemporary concerns while expanding conventional notions of artistic expression.

Founded by the late Remani Nambiar also the founder of Srishti Art and Amita Desai, Director of Goethe- Zentrum Hyderabad, Emerging Palettes was conceived as a dedicated platform for young artists seeking opportunities to present serious contemporary work. This year’s edition received more than 300 applications. The rigorous selection process involved an initial review by cultural manager Amit Kumar Jain and Lakshmi Nambiar, who evaluated each submission based on conceptual strength and artistic skill. A shortlist of twenty-five artists was then presented to an esteemed jury panel comprising Amit Kumar Jain, Amita Desai, Jaiveer Johal, Jaya Asokan, Lakshmi Nambiar, Shefali Varma and Varunika Saraf. The ten artists were selected through a combined scoring process, ensuring a thoughtful and transparent evaluation.

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Journey into consciousness

Curated by Dr Shipra Bhatia there are 44 contemporary artists and six neurodiverse artists.

Art has always been humanity’s most profound language of introspection. Inspired by this philosophy, “Main Shunya Hun” emerges as a landmark contemporary art exhibition conceived and curated by Dr Shipra Bhatia, founder and curator of Manantar Art. To be presented from September 4 – September 6, 2026 at Lokayata Art Gallery in New Delhi, the exhibition explores the philosophy of Shunya—not as emptiness, but as the limitless source of creation, awareness and transformation. The show will be inaugurated by Padma Shri Tilak Gitai, whose contribution to art education continues to inspire generationss. Padma Shri Dr Chandrakan Pandav, internationally acclaimed public health expert and the “Iodine Man of India,” will be the distinguished guest.

Presented by Manantar Art, the exhibition represents a vision that extends beyond gallery walls. Bringing together 44 contemporary artists from across India, the exhibition celebrates an extraordinary spectrum of artistic practices including mandala art, symbolic narratives, mixed media, textured works, watercolour, glass art, sacred geometry, figurative compositions and contemporary experimental expressions. The exhibition will showcase the works of six young star neurodiverse artists.

Reflecting on the exhibition, Dr. Shipra Bhatia shares, “Art has the power to awaken consciousness, build communities and create meaningful human connections. The show is an invitation to pause, reflect and rediscover the silent space from which all creation begins. It celebrates artistic excellence, inclusivity and the belief that every creative journey deserves to be seen, heard and remembered.”

The artists participating in the show include: Roop Chand, Shekhar Kar, Sanjay Bhola, Anees Fathima, Deepshikha Bishoyi, Deepali Grover, Divya Anand, Debika Saha, Ekta Adwani, Indu Vashisht, Gurpreet Kaur, Mitali Asthana, Mohit Bhardwaj, Mousumi Sircar, Neeti Aggarwal, Nisha Verma, Nishika Chopra, Preeti Singh, Pooja Singhal, Ranjana Sharma, Rakhi Gupta, Renu Jain, Remi Poddar, Rohini Manindra, Rupali Paliwal, Prerna Verma, Pragya Dwivedi, Priyanka Vij, Roma Handa, Rozina Yeasmin, Sambedana Das Mohapatra, Sapna Aggarwal, Seema Singh, Sarika Garg, Selvakannan Rathinam, Shalini Dutt, Sherry Dorairaj, Srishti Goyal, Srishti Narang, Shruti Bhalla, Sudha Sharma Khanna, Sushant Biswas, Swati Sinha, Vidushi Dhunta Narula and Vishakha Gautam. The six young neurodiverse artists include Pratham Bhatnagar, Morpheus Nag, Oasis Mohapatra, Awadh Bhatia, Anmol Labar, Nirvaan Idal Tripathi, Kriti and Gurpreet Kaur (Kaur di Taur).

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Blending Imagination with reality

Sumanto Chowdhury reimagines places to weave a new world, says Tarunima Sen.

There is something that is vividly familiar about Sumanto Chowdhury’s paintings, even though the places we see do not exist. We see villages unfold into hills, rivers flowing past homes marked with trees, stairways leading to unexpected courtyards, each reimagined from different parts of the country. Rather than depicting them as perceived and seen, Chowdhury puts together these elements he knows and sees into an entirely new world.

Born in West Bengal, he studied at Kala Bhavana, Santiniketan, before completing his Master’s in Printmaking at the University of Hyderabad. This mixed influence shapes his practice. His paintings show rural Bengal settlements, with the visual rhythms of Hyderabad. Yet, none of the visuals appears as they are; they are reimagined into landscapes that belong to one’s memory and imagination.

One of the most compelling aspects of Chowdhury’s work is that people are rarely seen, yet they are present everywhere. Homes, pathways, courtyards, bridges, cultivated fields and boats suggest lives unfolding just beyond view. We, the viewers, become the missing inhabitant, completing each scene through personal recollection and experience.

And all of this is brought to life through colours, colours that play a central role in the visualisation. Rather than being true to nature, Chowdhury uses colour to organise space and guide the eye across the painting. The greens are placed in the background along with reds, deep blues, ochres and unexpected bursts of pink, creating scenes that come alive in an instant.

Adding to the colourful hues is his print-making training; there is repetition and precision in giving each painting its distinctive character. Each element, roof tiles, foliage, walkways, windows, etc are patiently built, making you linger longer with your gaze as new details emerge long after one’s first impression.

Architecture is blended into nature; they play equal roles, not dominating the other. The seamless relationship reflects visions of habitats where people are defined through the places they build rather than through their portraits.

Chowdhury’s practice extends across paintings, printmaking, sculpture and mixed media; his central theme revolves around creating places that feel emotionally real yet do not belong to one specific region. His works live in a space blended by nostalgia, fantasy and documentation.

Perhaps that is why his paintings leave such a lasting impression. They are not invitations to visit somewhere new, but reminders of places we carry within us. Sumanto Chowdhury creates worlds that are entirely his own, yet somehow one feels as though they have known them all their lives.
Presented by Easel Stories Art Gallery.

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The Time and the Battle

Time shapes every moment of our existence, while the eternal battle within us determines how we use it. Indian philosophy reminds us that understanding time is the first step toward understanding life itself.

Time is one of the most mysterious and powerful forces governing human existence. It moves silently, carrying every life, every civilization, and every thought from one moment to the next. In Sanskrit, time is known as “Kal,” representing the measurable flow of moments that structures our daily lives. We organize it through calendars, clocks, and schedules to bring order to our routines. Yet, beyond this measurable dimension lies “Mahakal”—the infinite, eternal time that transcends human calculation. Mahakal is not simply endless time; it is the cosmic principle in which creation, preservation, and dissolution continually unfold.

Indian philosophy has long viewed time not merely as a sequence of passing moments but as a profound force that shapes existence itself. Every sunrise and sunset reminds us that life is constantly changing, urging us to recognize the impermanence of the material world while seeking something eternal within.

The stories surrounding Indian deities and their iconography should not be understood only as religious narratives. They are, in essence, symbolic expressions of philosophical truths. These stories were developed as a form of folk education, enabling complex spiritual ideas to be communicated across generations, regardless of literacy or social background. Through symbols, myths, and visual representations, timeless wisdom became accessible to everyone.

Each deity represents an aspect of human consciousness or universal reality. Their weapons, postures, vehicles, and companions are rich with symbolic meaning rather than literal historical accounts. For example, the fierce form of Mahakal does not merely symbolize destruction but the inevitable dissolution of ego, illusion, and attachment. It reminds humanity that everything born in time must eventually return to eternity.

The concept of “The Time and the Battle” refers not only to external conflicts but also to the inner struggle every individual faces throughout life. Every human being is engaged in a continuous battle between wisdom and ignorance, courage and fear, compassion and selfishness, truth and illusion. Time serves as the arena where these battles unfold. Every passing moment presents a choice, and every choice shapes our character and destiny.

Ancient Indian epics such as the Mahabharata portray great wars, yet their deeper significance lies in illustrating the conflict within the human mind. The battlefield becomes a metaphor for life itself, where ethical decisions, self-discipline, and awareness determine victory more than physical strength. Time tests every individual, revealing the consequences of actions and intentions.

This understanding transforms our relationship with time. Instead of seeing it merely as something to be managed or spent, we begin to recognize it as a teacher. Every success, failure, joy, and sorrow becomes part of a larger journey toward self-realization. Time patiently reveals truths that cannot be learned through words alone.

In today’s fast-paced world, where every second is measured and optimized, the ancient distinction between Kal and Mahakal offers a valuable perspective. While clocks help us organize our activities, they cannot measure wisdom, love, compassion, or spiritual growth. These belong to the realm of eternal time, where inner transformation matters more than external achievement.

Ultimately, “The Time and the Battle” is a reminder that life is not simply about racing against the clock. It is about understanding the deeper purpose of our journey through time. The battles we fight are not always against others but often against our own limitations, fears, and illusions. By recognizing the symbolic wisdom embedded in our philosophical traditions, we discover that every moment carries an opportunity to move closer to truth, awareness, and the eternal reality represented by Mahakal.

Preview | Exclusive Artworks Contact Number: 09819344839
05 – 29 August 2026

Studio3 Art Gallery
Suleman Chambers, Office Number 4, Battery Street, Opposite The Garden House, Hotel Colaba, Mumbai 400039

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Rogan Art – The Rare Painted Heritage of Kutch

An extraordinary textile painting tradition from Gujarat  that transforms castor oil into timeless works of art.

Rogan art is one of India’s rarest and most fascinating traditional crafts, celebrated for its intricate hand-painted designs and centuries-old techniques. Originating from the Kutch region of Gujarat, this unique textile art is created without brushes, relying instead on the exceptional skill of artisans who paint flowing patterns with a metal stylus. Today, Rogan art stands as a symbol of India’s rich artistic heritage and the importance of preserving endangered crafts.

The word “Rogan” comes from the Persian term meaning “oil.” True to its name, the art form is based on a special paste made from castor oil, which is heated for several hours until it thickens into a jelly-like consistency. This paste is then mixed with natural or mineral pigments to produce vibrant colours. The preparation of the Rogan paste is a closely guarded family tradition, with artisans passing the technique down through generations.

The process of creating Rogan art requires immense patience and precision. The coloured paste is suspended on the tip of a thin metal rod, and the artisan carefully guides the flowing paint onto the fabric without allowing the tool to touch the cloth directly. The design is drawn freehand, often with remarkable symmetry. In many traditional pieces, only one half of the design is painted first, after which the fabric is folded to transfer the pattern onto the other side, resulting in a perfectly balanced composition.

Nature serves as the primary inspiration for Rogan artists. The artworks are adorned with elaborate floral motifs, curling vines, peacocks, the Tree of Life, leaves, and geometric borders. Among these, the Tree of Life has become the most iconic Rogan design, representing growth, harmony, and the interconnectedness of all living beings. Rich colours such as red, green, blue, yellow, black, and white are skillfully combined to create visually striking compositions.

Historically, Rogan art was used to decorate bridal attire, ceremonial garments, wall hangings, bedspreads, and decorative textiles. These handcrafted pieces were treasured not only for their beauty but also for the extraordinary craftsmanship involved in their creation. Every artwork was unique, reflecting the imagination and expertise of the artisan.

Over time, industrial textile production and changing consumer preferences led to a decline in Rogan art. By the late twentieth century, only a handful of artisans continued practising the craft. The tradition survived largely because of the dedication of a few families in the village of Nirona, Kutch, who refused to let this invaluable heritage disappear. Their commitment ensured that the intricate techniques and knowledge were preserved for future generations.

Rogan art gained international recognition in recent years when a handcrafted Tree of Life painting was presented as a gift to former U.S. President Barack Obama during his visit to India. This moment brought global attention to the remarkable craftsmanship of Kutch and highlighted the importance of safeguarding India’s traditional art forms.

Today, Rogan artists continue to innovate while respecting their heritage. Alongside traditional textiles, the art now appears on sarees, dupattas, scarves, cushion covers, wall panels, handbags, and framed artworks. Contemporary adaptations have helped introduce Rogan art to younger audiences and international collectors while maintaining the authenticity of its traditional techniques.

Rogan art is more than a decorative craft—it is a living testament to human creativity, patience, and cultural continuity. Every line is drawn entirely by hand, carrying the legacy of generations of artisans who have dedicated their lives to mastering this rare skill. As awareness grows and appreciation for handmade crafts increases, Rogan art continues to inspire art lovers across the world, reminding us that some of the greatest masterpieces are created not by machines, but by the steady hands and enduring passion of skilled artisans.

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ARABESQUE ALLIANCE Launches Global Platform to Advance Health, Education, Culture, and Sustainability

Gurugram, Haryana | July 2026: A new interdisciplinary social impact platform, ARABESQUE ALLIANCE, has been launched by Dr. Aarchika with the vision of connecting health, education, diplomacy, culture, and sustainability under the inspiring motto, “Soul in Motion, Society in Dialogue.” The initiative aims to foster meaningful global partnerships while supporting the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Founded on the belief that lasting societal transformation is driven by collective responsibility and conscious action, ARABESQUE ALLIANCE seeks to bring together communities, governments, educational institutions, policymakers, artists, environmental advocates, and businesses. Through collaboration and innovation, the platform aspires to create measurable social and environmental impact.

The Alliance will focus on five key pillars: societal wellbeing, climate action and environmental conservation, art and culture, education and leadership, and the UN Sustainable Development Goals. These focus areas are designed to encourage community engagement, strengthen partnerships across sectors, and develop long-term solutions for sustainable development.

Speaking about the initiative, Dr. Aarchika, Founding Director and President of ARABESQUE ALLIANCE, said that the platform was established with the belief that meaningful change begins when humanity reconnects with shared values and a collective commitment to the planet. She emphasized the importance of collaboration across disciplines to inspire education, empower communities through arts and culture, and promote environmental responsibility for a more inclusive and sustainable future.

ARABESQUE ALLIANCE also aims to build a global network of changemakers by encouraging governments, NGOs, academic institutions, businesses, artists, and environmental organizations to work together. By promoting dialogue, knowledge exchange, and innovative solutions, the Alliance seeks to strengthen global wellbeing, social development, cultural cooperation, and economic growth while contributing to a more resilient and sustainable world.