A celebration of art

Art enables us to find ourselves and lose ourselves at the same time. The India Art Festival (IAF) made its debut in Hyderabad with a stunning array of artists, art forms, and ateliers from across the country. With over 100 stalls, and 290 artists (including 100 women artists), the three-day exhibition (June 7-9) features 30 art galleries showcasing paintings to sculptures across various mediums. In the city of Nizams, the art exhibition displays work of stalwarts like Jogen Chowdhury, Seema Kohli, Atul Dodiya among others. Since its inception in 2011, IAF has hosted yearly exhibitions in New Delhi, Mumbai, and Bengaluru that showcased the work of some of India’s greatest artists.

Rajendra Patil, Founder Director, IAF explains, “When I started the India Art Festival, 14 years ago, Hyderabad was not really on my radar but the city’s art scene has exploded over the past years. Earlier, the art buyers would only be big business houses like the Tatas, Ambanis and Piramals, but now the profile of collectors has changed. A lot of young collectors as well as corporate buyers are heavily present in Hyderabad.” He opines that with the booming real estate and interior spaces, Hyderabad is the right place to be for artists and galleries. “The buyer profile is very strong and we have artists showing different kinds of work at the exhibition,” Patil says.

Creative & Diversity

With a wide assortment of arts and artists, the exhibition has something for everyone. While the connoisseurs could exclaim over the mastery of the great Indian artists the youngsters could appreciate the inventive and experimental pieces on display. Straddling different genres from mythological to contemporary and traditional, the diverse artworks will mesmerise the viewers. Supriya Kaluskar from Hyderabad whose works portray traditional elements in a modern manner, thinks Kalpavriksh in Kalamkari or getting inspired by Pichwai art to create eclectic works says, “I work on themes that are not very common so for artists like me, events like these provide a great platform. That we get to connect to different artists and get inspired by different ideas is amazing.”

Art Haven

What helps is the presence of artists who work across a wide variety of mediums and artists from Sujata Achrekar to Ramana Reddy or galleries including the Hyderabad Art Society and The Indian Art College among others. With a diverse array of 3,500 paintings and sculptures across various mediums, there is a lot to be inspired from. It is a one-stop art shop that connects buyers and artists with exhibit prices ranging from Rs 10,000 to a couple of lakhs. Anju Poddar, an art collector says that the event provides a platform to a wide range of artists —from legends to students and emerging artists. She says, “Today we notice everyone from hospitals to young couples are investing in art. It is exhibitions like these that bring art lovers and artists together.” Apart from the art on display, the exhibition has fusion shows, live music performances, live painting demonstrations, and captivating film screenings. A highlight of the event was the screening of the film The Eternal Canvas — 12,000 Years Journey through Indian Art.

Rajneeta Kewalramani, Owner – Beyond the Canvas Gallery, Mumbai feels that Hyderabad’s art market is promising and evolving. This is the third big event in the city this year. It shows just how far the market has come. Today, there is a lot of disposable income and people like to invest in art. I can only see Hyderabad's art scene going northwards.” The debut of the India Art Festival is a great fillip for the city's art scene. Be it a canvas or a creation from the most mundane of materials, it leaves an indelible mark on the visitors.

Today, everyone from hospitals to young couples are investing in art. It is exhibitions like these that bring art lovers and artists together.” — Anju Poddar, Art Collector

With its booming real estate and interior spaces, Hyderabad is the right place to be for artists and galleries.” — Rajendra Patil, Founder Director, IAF

Today there is a lot of disposable income and people like to invest in art. I can only see Hyderabad's art scene going northwards.” — Rajneeta Kewalramani, Owner, Beyond the Canvas Gallery, Mumbai