Book celebrating legacy of Padma Shri Shyam Sharma was also unveiled.
The Lalit Kala Akademi, India’s National Academy of Art, successfully unveiled the 64th National Exhibition of Art (NEA) in New Delhi on August 5, 2025, bringing together a curated collection of the country’s most exquisite artworks. The grand event was inaugurated by Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Minister of Culture and Tourism, who was the chief guest. Vivek Aggarwal, Secretary, Ministry of Culture, was the guest of honour, accompanied by Amita Prasad Sarbhai, additional secretary, Ministry of Culture and Dr Nand Lal Thakur, vice chairman of the Lalit Kala Akademi.
First launched in 1955, the National Exhibition of Art is one of India’s most prestigious platforms for presenting contemporary, traditional, tribal and experimental art practices from across the country. The 64th edition featured 283 remarkable artworks selected from over 5,900 entries, reflecting the vibrant and ever-expanding reach of the Indian art ecosystem.
This year’s showcase spanned a broad range of mediums—including painting, sculpture, graphic art and photography—and mirrored India’s cultural diversity and creative evolution. The exhibition aimed to create a dialogue between generations of artists and viewers, offering a unique view of the dynamics and aesthetics that have come to define Indian visual arts. The highlight of the exhibition was the announcement of 20 Lalit Kala Akademi awardees, honoured for their outstanding contributions to the field of Indian visual art. Each recipient received a citation, a shawl and a cash award of ` 2,00,000. These awards were conferred following a rigorous two-tier jury process led by a panel of eminent artists, curators and critics from across India. Two major publications were unveiled, exhibition catalogue and a special book titled, Printmaker for All Seasons, celebrating the legacy of Padma Shri Shyam Sharma. The Akademi continued its mission to support artists, engage the public and bridging India’s rich artistic heritage with emerging creative voices. The National Exhibition of Art remains open to the public from August 6 to September 15, 2025, at the Lalit Kala Akademi Galleries, Rabindra Bhavan, New Delhi.
