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‘Maharaja’s Treasure’ unlocked at NGMA, Mumbai!
Air India’s beloved mascot ‘Maharaja’ has endeared not just the frequent flyers but also normal people for several decades. Not everyone would know though, what Air India has been doing in the field of fine art since a long time. To reveal their contribution to the field of art, none other than the Maharaja is an apt storyteller.
As the grand exhibition ‘Maharaja’s Treasure’ was inaugurated at the National Gallery of Modern Art (NGMA), Mumbai on 13th June 2023, the treasure of fine work of art by prominent artists of India is unlocked for the common man. The exhibition was inaugurated by Smt Meenakshi Lekhi, Union Minister of State for External Affairs & Culture. A catalogue of this exhibition was released on this occasion. The grand inaugural event was attended by several artists, art lovers and the who’s who in the art fraternity.
Art lovers had been eagerly waiting for this moment for the past 7 weeks since the inauguration had to be postponed from its previously scheduled date of 26th April, due to a state mourning.
In her inaugural address, Union Minister Meenakshi Lekhi underlined the importance of recognizing art and artists as a vital part of the Indian culture. She further emphasized the value of acknowledging the richness of India’s vast artistic and cultural history and communicating it effectively to the whole world. She has graciously proposed to strengthen NGMA’s future initiatives through the Ministry of External Affairs & Culture. This is certainly good news for artists and art lovers.
Art thrives in the creative mind of the artists and survival of the artists depends upon the support, encouragement, and patronage. In that way, patrons of art play an important role in furthering art. Air India has been playing that role for more than half a century now, almost assuming the status of an art museum. In the process, the artists who have been in various developmental stages of their artistic journey, would have got their due attention and appreciation at the right time. After Indian government’s disinvestment in Air India, it was decided to hand over the art collection of Air India to the Ministry of Culture, which is to be housed at the NGMA.
Nazneen Banu, Director NGMA, Mumbai in her concept note of the exhibition has provided the historical background of the collection and has invited art lovers to experience the grand exhibition. The exhibition showcases a rich collection of about 200 selected paintings and sculptures in a variety of media which will prove to be a visual feast for art lovers.
Brinda Miller – Senior artist and Former Advisory Committee member of NGMA Mumbai – in her address appraised the audience about the historical background of ‘Maharaja’s Treasure’ collection by sharing her memories. She specifically mentioned about contribution of globally renowned Spanish surrealist Salvador Dali in designing an ash tray for Air India, which is displayed in this exhibition.
Uttara Parekh, who was part of Air India’s Art Department, was present during the inaugural event. She corroborated with the speakers regarding the key developments in the Maharaja’s treasure over the decades.
The exhibition provides glimpses of works of iconic masters such as K H Ara, V S Gaitonde, N S Bendre, G R Santosh, S H Raza, M F Husain, Anjolie Ela Menon, and B Vitthal. An untitled canvas by V S Gaitonde from 1970 evokes serenity. Prominent artists in the collection include Sakti Burman, B Prabha, A A Raiba, Arpana Caur, Shanti Dave, S G Vasudev, Achuthan Kudalur, Laxman Sreshtha and Serbjeet Singh. The exhibition culminates with 15th century stone carvings displayed inside the dome of NGMA building, including the iconic image of Shiva Nataraja and canvases depicting various musicians.
‘Maharaja’s Treasure’ is now unlocked and open for art lovers to visit, at NGMA, Mumbai.
To plan your visit, refer to: http://www.ngmaindia.gov.in/ngma_mumbai.asp
Vineel Bhurke
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