Fevicryl Launches AIM 2026 to Strengthen India’s Artist-Educator Community

June 24, 2026

Pidilite Industries’ art and craft brand, Fevicryl, has launched the 2026 edition of its flagship Artist in Me (AIM) programme in Mumbai. The initiative brings together more than 120 Fevicryl Certified Professionals (FCPs) from across India for a three-day learning residency focused on skill development, creative exchange, and professional growth. The programme is designed for Specialist and Expert-level FCPs and aims to strengthen the network of artist-trainers who work with communities, schools, and institutions nationwide.

Building a Network of Artist-Educators

AIM 2026 is positioned as a train-the-trainer programme that equips participants with new artistic techniques, contemporary practices, and teaching methodologies. According to Pidilite Industries, the initiative seeks to expand learning opportunities within India’s growing arts and crafts ecosystem by enabling trained educators to pass on their knowledge to wider audiences.

Fevicryl has long focused on promoting creativity through workshops, hobby learning initiatives, and artist engagement programmes. The brand states that it reaches large communities of learners through its educational and creative platforms.

Focus on Contemporary Craft Practices

The programme centres on emerging trends in contemporary art and craft, combining theory with practical application. Participants engage in sessions that explore global design influences and innovative approaches to creative practice.

Programme Highlights

Global craft and trend-led learning
Advanced hands-on workshop training
Digital and creative growth sessions
Peer learning and collaborative projects
Exposure to international creative perspectives

International Learning Exchange

One of the notable aspects of AIM 2026 is its collaboration with Jong Ie Nara, a South Korean company recognised for its educational paper-folding and origami programmes. The exchange introduces participants to international approaches to craft education and creative learning, expanding the programme’s global perspective.

DIY Chachi Leads Digital Learning Sessions

The 2026 edition features sessions by Shweta Mahadik, popularly known online as DIY Chachi. Mahadik has built a large following through DIY, upcycling, fashion, and craft-based content across digital platforms.

At AIM 2026, she is leading a specialised learning track focused on using DIY content formats to build digital visibility and audience engagement. The sessions explore how artists can present their work online and develop sustainable creative careers through digital storytelling.

Learning Areas and Workshops

The programme features contributions from industry experts, practitioners, and creative influencers who guide participants through a structured curriculum.

Core Learning Areas

Insights into international design trends and creative movements
Advanced techniques using Fevicryl art materials
Content creation and digital communication skills
Professional development for artist-entrepreneurs
Mentorship and community-building practices

Encouraging Artpreneurship and Community Impact

Fevicryl describes AIM as part of its broader effort to encourage artpreneurship and creative entrepreneurship. Through workshops, mentorship, and practical training, participants are encouraged to become resource persons within their local creative communities. The programme also promotes experimentation and collaborative learning, helping artist-educators develop new ways of engaging learners and hobbyists.

The brand has previously highlighted its work in supporting artists, hobbyists, and women-led creative enterprises through learning initiatives and community outreach programmes.

Looking Ahead

As India’s creative economy continues to expand, programmes such as AIM 2026 reflect the growing importance of structured professional development within the arts and crafts sector. By combining technical training, international exchange, and digital skill-building, the initiative seeks to prepare artist-educators for evolving opportunities in both physical and online creative spaces. Through its focus on mentorship and knowledge-sharing, AIM aims to strengthen the wider ecosystem of art learning across the country.

Department of Posts Launches India Post Mascot Design Contest for Creators

Nagaraj

June 23, 2026

The Department of Posts under the Ministry of Communications has announced the India Post Mascot Design Contest on the MyGov platform. The open call invites designers, illustrators, students, and creative practitioners to develop a mascot that represents the values and evolving identity of India Post.

Participants are encouraged to create a mascot that reflects key attributes associated with the institution, including trust, reliability, inclusivity, and digital innovation. The selected mascot may become a visual representative of India Post and its public outreach initiatives.

Eligibility

The contest is open to individuals interested in visual communication, illustration, graphic design, and mascot creation.

Participants should note:

Only one entry is permitted per participant.
The mascot design must be original.
The mascot name must also be original.
Entries should reflect the values and services associated with India Post.

Benefits

The contest offers an opportunity for participants to contribute to the public identity of one of India’s most established institutions.

Selected entries may gain national visibility through association with India Post and related communication initiatives.

Contest Overview

Contest	Details
Opportunity Name	India Post Mascot Design Contest
Eligibility	Open to participants submitting an original mascot design and name
Benefits	Opportunity to contribute to the visual identity of India Post
Application Link	MyGov Platform

Applicants are encouraged to review all contest guidelines available on the MyGov platform before submitting their entry.

The mascot should communicate:

Trust
Reliability
Inclusivity
Digital innovation

Application Process

Interested participants can submit their entries through the MyGov portal as per the contest guidelines.

Before applying, ensure that:

The design is entirely original.
The mascot name is unique.
Only one submission is made.
The concept aligns with the values of India Post.

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Takeaway

The India Post Mascot Design Contest presents an opportunity for creatives to contribute to the visual identity of a public institution that has served generations across the country. Designers are invited to interpret the organisation’s values through an original mascot concept and submit their work through MyGov.

NGMA Hosts Online Art Appreciation Talk on Modern Indian Sculpture by Yamini Telkar

Nagaraj

June 23, 2026

The National Gallery of Modern Art (NGMA), Bengaluru, will host an online Art Appreciation Talk titled “How Did Calcutta Become the Cradle of Modern Indian Sculpture?” on 27 June 2026. The session will be led by Yamini Telkar and will examine the role of Calcutta and its artistic institutions in shaping the development of modern Indian sculpture.

Discussion Overview

The talk will focus on the pioneering sculptors associated with the Calcutta School and their contribution to the evolution of modern sculptural practices in India. Participants will gain insight into how artists challenged established conventions and introduced new approaches to form, material, and artistic expression.

The session will also place these developments within the broader context of Indian art history, highlighting the cultural and educational environments that encouraged experimentation in sculpture during the twentieth century.

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What Participants Can Expect

Topics likely to be explored include:

The emergence of modern sculpture in India
The significance of Calcutta as an artistic centre
Contributions of pioneering sculptors
The legacy of Ramkinkar Baij
Key developments in modern Indian art
Historical and cultural contexts influencing sculptural practice

The discussion is designed for students, researchers, artists, and anyone interested in Indian art history and sculpture studies.

Event Details

Event	Details
Name	How Did Calcutta Become the Cradle of Modern Indian Sculpture?
Format	Online Art Appreciation Talk
Speaker	Yamini Telkar
Date	27 June 2026 (Saturday)
Time	5:00 PM
Venue	Online
Organiser	NGMA Bengaluru
Registration	Please check NGMA Bengaluru’s official channels for registration details.

Conclusion

This online art appreciation talk offers an opportunity to examine the historical developments that shaped modern Indian sculpture. Through a discussion of key artists, institutions, and artistic movements, the session will provide valuable context for understanding the evolution of sculptural practice in India. It is particularly relevant for students, researchers, artists, and enthusiasts interested in modern Indian art and art history.

ChampaTree Art Gallery Hosts Artist-Themed Sip Paint Create Sessions

Cscope Staff

June 23, 2026

Art enthusiasts in Delhi can spend their Saturday evenings exploring painting in a relaxed gallery setting through the upcoming Sip Paint Create workshop series organised by The Create Studio.

Designed for adults of all experience levels, the workshops invite participants to engage with the artistic styles of two influential artists. The first session focuses on Jamini Roy, while the second draws inspiration from Frida Kahlo. Whether participants are new to painting or regularly practise art, the sessions aim to provide an accessible and creative environment.

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Workshop Overview

Workshop	Details
Name	Sip Paint Create Workshop Series
Organiser	The Create Studio
Venue	ChampaTree Art Gallery, W-114, Greater Kailash 2
City	New Delhi
Workshop Dates	20 June (Jamini Roy Edition) and 27 June (Frida Kahlo Edition)
Time	4:00 PM – 6:00 PM
Audience	Adults
Fee	Not specified
Registration	Register via the Google Form or call 9958200660

Takeaway

With sessions inspired by Jamini Roy and Frida Kahlo, the workshop series offers participants an opportunity to explore painting through guided practice. Open to adults of all skill levels, the sessions encourage creativity in a relaxed gallery setting. Registration is open for both workshops.

Puppetz Festival Returns to CSMVS Mumbai with Two Days of Family-Friendly Puppet Theatre

Nagaraj

June 22, 2026

The Puppetz Festival will return to the Nalanda Learning Centre at the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya in Mumbai on 27 and 28 June 2026. The two-day programme will present a series of puppet performances designed for children and families, featuring classic stories, musical productions and traditional narratives. Registration is open through the museum’s events team.

Family-Focused Weekend Programme

The festival will offer multiple performances across two days, combining storytelling, music and puppetry. Shows are scheduled throughout the day, allowing visitors to attend different productions over the weekend.

On Saturday, 27 June, audiences can watch Aladdin and the Flying Carpet, Going to the Zoo, Red Riding Hood, Jungle Jugalbandi, and Kalyana Sagundhikam.

On Sunday, 28 June, the programme includes The Tiger Who Came to Tea, Ted in a Red Bed, Red Riding Hood, Jungle Jugalbandi, Tribute to Elvis Presley, and Mera Naam Joker.

Highlights of the Festival

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Puppet adaptations of well-known children’s stories
Musical and character-driven performances
Traditional and contemporary storytelling formats
Family-oriented programming suitable for children and adults
Multiple shows across two days

Venue at CSMVS

The event will take place at the Nalanda Learning Centre, an educational and cultural space within Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya. CSMVS is one of India’s leading museums and regularly hosts exhibitions, educational programmes, workshops and family activities. The museum’s learning initiatives are designed to encourage engagement with history, culture and the arts through interactive experiences.

CSMVS is a major cultural institution with collections spanning art, archaeology and natural history. In recent years, the museum has expanded its educational programming through the Nalanda Learning Centre, which hosts workshops, performances, storytelling sessions and public learning events.

Programme Schedule

Saturday, 27 June 2026

11:00 am

Aladdin and the Flying Carpet
Going to the Zoo

12:00 pm

Red Riding Hood
Jungle Jugalbandi

3:00 pm

Kalyana Sagundhikam

Sunday, 28 June 2026

11:00 am

The Tiger Who Came to Tea
Ted in a Red Bed

12:00 pm

Red Riding Hood
Jungle Jugalbandi

3:00 pm

Tribute to Elvis Presley
Mera Naam Joker

Visitor Information

Event	Details
Name	Puppetz Festival 2026
Venue	Nalanda Learning Centre, CSMVS
City	Mumbai
Opening Date	27 June 2026
Exhibition / Event Dates	27–28 June 2026
Organiser	Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya (CSMVS)
Entry / Registration	Register with name and age at events@csmvs.in
Website	https://www.csmvs.in

For more information, visitors can explore CSMVS Official Website and follow updates from CSMVS Mumbai Instagram.

Conclusion

The return of the Puppetz Festival highlights the continuing role of puppetry as an accessible and engaging performing art form. By bringing together classic stories, music and visual storytelling, the event offers audiences of different ages an opportunity to experience cultural narratives in an interactive setting. Programmes such as these also contribute to the preservation and appreciation of traditional and contemporary puppet theatre within India’s broader cultural landscape.

Suggested Story: The Rich Legacy of Puppetry Art of India

ऊंबरा: at an ancestral threshold Brings Rohit Suresh Varekar’s Konkan Narratives to Delhi

Nagaraj

June 19, 2026

Gallerie Nvya will present ऊंबरा: at an ancestral threshold, a solo exhibition by contemporary artist Rohit Suresh Varekar, from 11 July to 31 August 2026 at its Saket gallery in New Delhi. The exhibition examines memory, migration, ecology and cultural continuity through works created from reclaimed architectural fragments salvaged from the Konkan region of Maharashtra.

Reimagining the Konkan Landscape

The exhibition draws inspiration from the devastating floods that affected parts of the Konkan region in 2021. Using doors, beams and pillars recovered from collapsed mud homes, Varekar explores how built environments retain traces of human presence long after communities have moved away or disappeared. Through sculpture, carving, drawing and assemblage, the artist reflects on changing relationships between people, land and architecture.

The Threshold as a Central Metaphor

The Marathi word “ऊंबरा” refers to a raised threshold. In the exhibition, the threshold becomes a symbolic space between past and present, continuity and loss. Rather than treating vernacular architecture as nostalgia, Varekar approaches reclaimed materials as living archives carrying memories of labour, ritual and everyday life. Weathered timber surfaces become sites where personal histories and environmental realities intersect.

Key Works in the Exhibition

Among the highlights is an immersive installation of salvaged double-panel doors inscribed with ecological warnings inspired by noted environmentalist Madhav Gadgil.

Highlights include:

Reclaimed wooden doors transformed into large-scale installations
Wax-infused drawings referencing rural landscapes
Hand-carved imagery inspired by Konkan flora and domestic life
Assemblages created from salvaged architectural fragments
Works examining migration, climate vulnerability and cultural memory

The exhibition positions these materials as witnesses to environmental change and rapid urban transformation.

About the Artist

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Rohit Suresh Varekar was born in 1999 in Sawantwadi, Maharashtra, and works primarily with reclaimed wood, drawing, wax and assemblage. His artistic practice is rooted in the ecological and cultural landscapes of the Konkan region, particularly its disappearing mud houses, oral traditions and changing rural environments.

Varekar completed an Advanced Diploma in Fine Arts (Sculpture) from Kala Bhavana, Santiniketan, in 2024. Kala Bhavana, founded in 1919 as part of Visva-Bharati University, has played a significant role in shaping modern Indian art and has been associated with artists such as Nandalal Bose, Benode Behari Mukherjee and Ramkinkar Baij.

His recent recognitions include the Takshila Fine Arts Fellowship, Hyundai Art Grant: Art for Hope, Art Ichol Sculpture Fellowship and the Gallerie Nvya Emerging Art Grant. His work has been presented at Art Mumbai and other exhibitions and programmes across India.

Gallerie Nvya’s Continued Support for Emerging Artists

The exhibition is organised by Gallerie Nvya, a New Delhi-based gallery founded in 2004 by Tripat Kalra and currently led by Meher Kalra. The gallery has developed a reputation for presenting both established modern masters and emerging contemporary practitioners while expanding its activities through exhibitions, publications, collaborations and advisory initiatives.

Over the years, the gallery has broadened its presence beyond traditional exhibition venues, creating platforms for wider engagement with contemporary Indian art and fostering dialogue between artists, audiences and institutions.

Visitor Information

The exhibition will be open to visitors at Gallerie Nvya’s Saket space in New Delhi from 11 July to 31 August 2026.

Event	Details
Title	ऊंबरा: at an ancestral threshold
Artist	Rohit Suresh Varekar
Venue	Gallerie Nvya, 101–103 Square One Mall, C-2, Saket District Centre, New Delhi 110017
City	New Delhi
Opening Date	11 July 2026
Exhibition Dates	11 July – 31 August 2026
Organiser	Gallerie Nvya
Timings	11:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Entry / Tickets	Contact gallery for visitor information
Website	https://www.gallerienvya.com

Conclusion

Through reclaimed architectural fragments and layered material histories, ऊंबरा: at an ancestral threshold explores the relationship between memory, environment and cultural identity. By drawing attention to disappearing vernacular landscapes and the effects of ecological change, the exhibition offers a thoughtful reflection on how communities preserve inherited knowledge while adapting to contemporary realities. It also highlights the role of contemporary art in documenting environmental and social transformations across regional India.

5 Dual-Protection Blind Spots Solved When You Anchor a 2 Crore Term Life Insurance Plan to a Comprehensive 1 Crore Health Insurance Cover

Cscope Staff

June 18, 2026

Most households buying insurance make one of two mistakes. They buy a term plan and assume the family is fully protected. Or they buy a health policy and assume the medical side is handled. Very few sit down to think about how the two work together and what gaps exist when either one is missing or undersized.

A 2 crore term life insurance plan and a 1 crore health insurance cover are not interchangeable products solving the same problem. They protect against different financial events entirely. But when anchored together correctly, they solve five specific blind spots that neither one addresses on its own.

Blind spot 1: The Family’s Long-Term Financial Survival After Death

A health insurance policy does nothing for the family when the primary earner dies. It was never designed to. The hospitalisation bills from the final illness may be covered. Everything that follows is not.

Monthly household expenses continue. Loans remain outstanding, children still have future education costs, and a spouse may need time to adjust financially.

A 2 crore term life insurance plan is sized to address exactly this scenario. At a 6% annual withdrawal rate, Rs. 2 crore generates approximately Rs. 12 lakh per year for the family without depleting the principal. For a household running on Rs. 80,000 to Rs. 1 lakh per month, that coverage provides genuine multi-year financial stability while the family rebuilds around the loss.

The health policy kept the person alive as long as possible. The term plan keeps the family financially functional after.

Blind spot 2: Medical Costs That Exceed Standard Coverage

A standard health insurance policy with a sum insured of Rs. 3 lakh to Rs. 5 lakh was adequate for the healthcare cost environment of a decade ago. It is not adequate today.

A serious illness requiring surgery, an ICU stay, and post-discharge treatment at a private hospital in any major Indian city can generate bills of Rs. 8 lakh to Rs. 15 lakh or more, depending on the condition and duration. A cardiac event, a cancer diagnosis, or a major neurological episode can push treatment costs past Rs. 20 lakh across the full treatment period.

A 1 crore health insurance cover changes this picture entirely. It provides a sum insured large enough to handle a genuinely serious medical event without the family needing to liquidate savings, break fixed deposits, or borrow to cover the difference between what the policy pays and what the hospital bills.

The coverage adequacy question is not whether health insurance exists. It is whether the sum insured is large enough for the actual cost of a serious hospitalisation in the current healthcare environment.

Blind spot 3: The Income Gap During a Long Illness

This is the blind spot that sits precisely between what a term plan covers and what a health policy covers, and neither one addresses it completely.

A serious illness that requires months of treatment and recovery takes the primary earner out of work for an extended period. The health insurance policy covers the hospitalisation bills. The term life insurance plan pays only on death. The salary that stops arriving during three to six months of treatment and recovery is covered by neither.

This gap is best addressed by a critical illness rider on the term plan or a standalone critical illness policy alongside both products. A strong term plan and health cover ensure the two largest financial risks, death and hospitalisation, are addressed before adding supplementary protection.

Building on a weak foundation produces weak protection. Getting the base coverage right creates a platform worth adding to.

Blind spot 4: Debt That Outlives the Earning Years

A home loan taken at 35 for a twenty-five-year tenure runs until 60. A personal loan, a car loan, an education loan for a child. Debt that runs parallel to the earning years creates a specific vulnerability that health insurance was never designed to address.

If the primary earner dies with Rs. 60 lakh outstanding on a home loan and Rs. 8 lakh on other loans, the family inherits that obligation alongside the grief. A health policy that covered every hospitalisation during the person’s lifetime does nothing for what comes next.

A 2 crore term life insurance plan provides a sum assured large enough to clear the combined debt balance and still leave the family with financial resources to continue living on. The debt clearance function of a well-sized term plan is one of the most direct and measurable benefits it provides.

Blind spot 5: The Compounding Cost of Being Underinsured on Both Sides

Underinsurance on the health side and underinsurance on the life side create a compounding vulnerability that is worse than either gap in isolation.

A family with Rs. 5 lakh health cover and Rs. 50 lakh term cover faces two problems simultaneously. A serious hospitalisation exhausts the health cover and requires the family to dip into savings or investments to cover the shortfall. If the primary earner then dies, the depleted savings mean the term payout has to work harder to replace both the income and the financial buffer that the underinsured hospitalisation already consumed.

Together, a 1 crore health cover and a 2 crore term plan prevent this compounding effect. One protects savings from medical costs, while the other protects against permanent income loss.

The Two Anchors of a Complete Protection Plan

Neither product replaces the other, and neither one is optional for a household with dependents and financial obligations.

A 2 crore term life insurance plan addresses what happens to the family permanently if the primary income disappears. A 1 crore health insurance cover addresses what happens to the finances temporarily when a serious illness arises. Together, they cover the two largest financial risks most families face without leaving a blind spot large enough to cause irreversible damage.

The Mona Lisa: An Immersive Exhibition Brings Leonardo da Vinci’s World to Bengaluru

Nagaraj

June 18, 2026

Art lovers in Bengaluru can now experience one of the world’s most famous artworks through a new interactive exhibition. The Mona Lisa: An Immersive Exhibition combines digital installations, virtual reality, storytelling and hands-on experiences inspired by Leonardo da Vinci and his celebrated masterpiece. The exhibition is being presented at Maker’s Adda, located within the Param Science Experience Centre (ParSEC) in Jayanagar.

A New Way to Experience a Renaissance Icon

Rather than presenting the painting as a traditional museum display, the exhibition invites visitors to engage directly with the world of Leonardo da Vinci. Through interactive artworks and responsive installations, guests can explore the artistic, scientific and historical context surrounding the Mona Lisa. The experience aims to blend culture, education and entertainment in a format accessible to a wide audience.

Journey Through Da Vinci’s World

A central feature of the exhibition is a virtual reality adventure that transports visitors through medieval Europe. Participants follow a narrative inspired by the mystery of the stolen Mona Lisa while discovering key moments from Da Vinci’s life. Along the way, they encounter his inventions, scientific ideas and artistic achievements through immersive storytelling.

Exhibition Highlights

Visitors can expect:

Interactive artworks that react to movement and presence
A VR time-travel experience through Renaissance Europe
Exhibits focused on Leonardo da Vinci’s inventions and discoveries
A mystery-solving journey centred on the stolen Mona Lisa
Educational content suitable for families, students and art enthusiasts

Venue and Organiser

The exhibition is hosted at Maker’s Adda within the Param Science Experience Centre (ParSEC). Operated by Param Foundation, the centre is known for immersive and experiential learning programmes that bring together science, creativity and innovation. According to the organisation, ParSEC has welcomed thousands of visitors through its interactive exhibits, workshops and public engagement initiatives.

Visitor Information

The experience runs for approximately 40–45 minutes and is recommended for visitors aged eight years and above. The venue is currently not wheelchair accessible. Tickets are available through the official booking platform, with special weekday discounts announced between 16 and 18 June and prices starting from ₹400 during the promotional period.

Event	Details
Title	The Mona Lisa: An Immersive Exhibition
Artist / Inspiration	Leonardo da Vinci and the Mona Lisa
Venue	Maker’s Adda, Param Science Experience Centre (ParSEC)
City	Bengaluru
Opening Date	29 May 2026
Exhibition Duration	Ongoing, multiple daily sessions
Organiser	Param Foundation / ParSEC Jayanagar
Entry / Tickets	Ticketed event; weekday discount available, prices starting from ₹400 during promotion
Website / Registration	https://liveyourcity.com

Growing Interest in Immersive Art Experiences

Immersive exhibitions have become increasingly popular worldwide as cultural institutions and creative producers experiment with technology-driven storytelling. By combining art history with digital experiences, The Mona Lisa: An Immersive Exhibition reflects a broader trend of making iconic artworks more accessible and engaging for contemporary audiences. Bengaluru’s growing interest in experiential cultural programming has made the city an active destination for such projects.

Takeaway

By bringing together art, history, science and virtual reality, The Mona Lisa: An Immersive Exhibition offers visitors a new perspective on one of the world’s most recognised paintings. The experience provides an opportunity to explore Leonardo da Vinci’s legacy beyond the canvas while encouraging engagement with art through technology. As immersive exhibitions continue to evolve, projects such as this contribute to expanding cultural participation and making historical narratives accessible to broader audiences.

AstaGuru’s Collectors’ Choice Brings Raja Ravi Varma and Indian Masters to Auction

Nagaraj

June 17, 2026

AstaGuru will present its online auction Collectors’ Choice on 22–23 June 2026, bringing together a selection of paintings, sculptures and works on paper by major figures in Indian art. Leading the sale is Little Prince of Courage, a rare royal portrait by Raja Ravi Varma depicting Martanda Bhairava Tondaiman, the Prince of Pudukkottai. The work combines artistic significance with a compelling historical narrative linked to the prince’s decision to give up the throne for love.

A Royal Portrait with a Remarkable Story

Lot-51-Raja-Ravi-Varma-Little-Prince-Of-Courage — Lot-51, Raja Ravi Varma Little Prince of Courage

Featured as Lot No. 51, Little Prince of Courage portrays the young prince in regal attire. According to the auction house, the painting gains additional historical significance from the life of Martanda Bhairava Tondaiman, who later relinquished his royal position to marry Australian woman Molly Fink, defying both royal convention and colonial expectations. The portrait is presented as a reflection on individuality, destiny and personal conviction.

Raja Ravi Varma (1848–1906) remains one of India’s most influential artists. Known for combining European academic realism with Indian themes and iconography, he played a significant role in shaping modern Indian visual culture through both his paintings and widely circulated lithographs.

A Sale of Modern Indian Masters

Lot-5-Hemendranath-Mazumdar-Saaqi — Lot-5, Hemendranath Mazumdar Saaqi

The auction catalogue includes works by several prominent artists from modern and contemporary Indian art, including M.F. Husain, F.N. Souza, K.H. Ara, J. Swaminathan, Sakti Burman, Ram Kumar, Himmat Shah, Satish Gujral, Jogen Chowdhury, K.G. Subramanyan, Ganesh Pyne, Rameshwar Broota and Dhanraj Bhagat.

Highlights of the Auction

Raja Ravi Varma – Little Prince of Courage (Lot 51)
M.F. Husain – Savani | Des (Diptych) (Lot 33)
Ganesh Pyne – The Conversation (Lot 9)
Rameshwar Broota – Scripted in Time II (Lot 46)
Dhanraj Bhagat – Standing Figure (Lot 16)
K.G. Subramanyan – Figures With Mystical Birds (Diptych) (Lot 29)

Rare M.V. Dhurandhar Sketches Included

A notable section of the auction is a group of 22 sketches by M.V. Dhurandhar. The collection offers collectors access to works by one of the important figures of Indian academic art and provides insight into the development of artistic practice during the late colonial period.

Works Exploring Music, Memory and Human Experience

Lot-33-M-F-Husain-Savani-Des-(Diptych) — Lot-33, M F Husain Savani Des (Diptych)

Among the featured lots is M.F. Husain’s Savani | Des (Diptych), a work inspired by Indian classical ragas and created during a significant phase in the artist’s career. Ganesh Pyne’s The Conversation explores themes of mortality and memory through a symbolic encounter between a skeletal figure and a bird. Rameshwar Broota’s Scripted in Time IIcontinues the artist’s long-standing exploration of human existence and time, while Dhanraj Bhagat’s Standing Figurereflects a move toward a more modern sculptural language.

Folk Traditions and Academic Realism

Lot-29-K-G-Subramanyan-Figures-With-Mystical-Birds-(Diptych)- — Lot-29, K G Subramanyan Figures With Mystical Birds (Diptych)

K.G. Subramanyan’s Figures With Mystical Birds (Diptych) draws on folk traditions, mythology and modernist experimentation, while Hemendranath Mazumdar’s Saaqi demonstrates the artist’s mastery of academic realism and nuanced treatment of the female figure. Both works highlight the diversity of artistic approaches represented in the auction.

About AstaGuru and Visitor Information

Lot-9-Ganesh-Pyne-The-Conversation — Lot-9, Ganesh Pyne The Conversation

Founded in 2008, AstaGuru has established itself as a prominent online auction house specialising in art, antiques and collectibles. The company conducts digital auctions for collectors in India and internationally.

Auction Details

Event: Collectors’ Choice
Dates: 22–23 June 2026
Format: Online Auction
Organiser: AstaGuru
Registration: Available through the official website
Catalogue Access: Online viewing available before the auction

For more information, visitors can explore AstaGuru Auction House and register via the Collectors’ Choice auction page.

Takeaway

Lot-46-Rameshwar-Broota-Scripted-In-Time-II — Lot-46, Rameshwar Broota Scripted In Time II

The Collectors’ Choice auction presents a broad survey of Indian art across different generations, styles and mediums. Led by Raja Ravi Varma’s historically significant royal portrait, the sale offers an opportunity to engage with works that reflect artistic innovation, cultural history and personal narratives. By bringing together established masters and rare works, the auction contributes to ongoing interest in India’s artistic heritage and its place within contemporary collecting culture.

Gallery Pradarshak Presents ‘Silence: Within. Beyond. Between.’ Featuring 14 Artists

Nagaraj

June 16, 2026

Gallery-Pradarshak-Presents-Silence-Within-Beyond-Between-Sayani-Ankita-Shahasane — Artwork – Sayani Ankita Shahasane

Gallery Pradarshak will present Silence: Within. Beyond. Between., a group exhibition featuring 14 artists from seven cities. Opening on 19 June 2026 in Mumbai’s Khar West neighbourhood, the exhibition explores themes of reflection, awareness and inward attention through painting, printmaking, mixed media and photography. The exhibition will remain on view until 27 June 2026.

Exploring the Many Dimensions of Silence

Gallery-Pradarshak-Presents-Silence-Within-Beyond-Between-Sayani-Dasgupta-Mondal — Artwork – Sayani Dasgupta Mondal

Curated around the idea that silence extends beyond the absence of sound, the exhibition examines moments of pause, contemplation and personal discovery. According to the curatorial note by Dr. Alka Chadha Harpalani, silence can emerge through colour, texture, memory, nature and attentive observation, offering viewers opportunities for deeper engagement with both artworks and their own perceptions.

Fourteen Artists from Across India

Gallery-Pradarshak-Presents-Silence-Within-Beyond-Between-Savya-Jain — Artwork – Savya Jain

The exhibition brings together works by Monali Pawaskar, Meghanad Ganpule, Deepshikha Verma, Savya Jain, Fatemah Bundeally, Amita Dand, Sayani Mondal, Meetul Agarwal, Ar. Zahra Yasmoon, Madhura Deshpande, Jayashree Ghosh, Lalit Patil, Rachana Bajaj and Ankita Shahasane. Their practices engage with themes ranging from nature and spirituality to architecture, memory and everyday experience.

Exhibition Highlights

Gallery-Pradarshak-Presents-Silence-Within-Beyond-Between-Rachana-Bajaj — Artwork – Rachana Bajaj

The exhibition includes works that explore silence through different artistic approaches:

Contemplative landscapes
Meditative abstractions
Figurative works rooted in personal reflection
Nature-inspired imagery
Photography that captures atmosphere and stillness
Mixed-media explorations of memory and perception

These varied approaches collectively present silence as a space of awareness rather than absence.

Gallery Pradarshak Marks 32 Years

Gallery-Pradarshak-Presents-Silence-Within-Beyond-Between-Monali-Pawaskar — Artwork – Monali Pawaskar

The exhibition coincides with Gallery Pradarshak’s 32nd anniversary. Established in 1994, the Mumbai-based gallery has focused on promoting original art, supporting emerging artists and creating opportunities for public engagement with contemporary visual culture. Over the past three decades, it has organised exhibitions and artist-led initiatives aimed at connecting audiences with diverse artistic practices.

For more information, visitors can explore the official website of Gallery Pradarshak.

Conversation Programme Extends the Exhibition

As part of the opening weekend, Gallery Pradarshak will host a special edition of Open Canvas – Kala ke Kisse aur Cutting Chai. Titled What Are We Missing in the Noise?, the discussion on 20 June 2026 will examine attention, distraction, stillness and the role of silence in contemporary life. The programme is designed to encourage audiences to engage with the ideas behind the exhibition beyond the gallery space.

Event Programme

Open Canvas – Kala ke Kisse aur Cutting Chai
Theme: What Are We Missing in the Noise?
Date: 20 June 2026
Focus: Attention, distraction, stillness and perception in art and daily life

Visitor Information

Event Name	Details
Title	Silence: Within. Beyond. Between.
Venue	Gallery Pradarshak, Mumbai
Exhibition Dates	19–27 June 2026
Organiser	Gallery Pradarshak
Participating Artists	14 artists from seven cities across India
Gallery Hours	11 am – 7 pm (except Sundays)
Entry / Tickets	Open to All
Website	https://www.gallerypradarshak.com

Takeaway

At a time when daily life is increasingly shaped by speed and constant information flow, Silence: Within. Beyond. Between. proposes a slower mode of engagement. Through diverse artistic perspectives, the exhibition encourages viewers to reflect on attention, perception and personal experience. By creating space for contemplation and dialogue, the project contributes to ongoing conversations about the role of art in fostering awareness and meaningful cultural exchange.

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