Raghib Hassan, Staff Reporter

The Consulate General of India in Dubai inaugurated the “Art and Craft Exhibition Series” as part of India @75 celebrations to commemorate seventy five years of Indian Independence at the auditorium of the Consulate General of India on Thursday.  Consul General of India in Dubai, Dr Aman Puri, and Guest of Honour, Khalil Abdul-Wahid, Director of Fine Art, Dubai Culture and Arts Authority, inaugurated the event, in the presence of artists, members of diplomatic corps and invited guests, who had gathered to take part in this momentous event.

The auditorium of the Consulate was turned into an art gallery, where glimpses of vibrant and colourful artworks representing the diversity of India, were on view. The works of nine celebrated Indian artists such as Atul Panase; Swapnil Jawale; Anjani P Laitu; Akshay Arora; Shrutika Gosavi; Masarratfatima Sulaimani; Punam A Salecha; Vidisha Pandey and Soumya Shree, were displayed.  

The participating artists were selected from 650 submissions. Nine of them were honoured to present their works in the show. Most of them are award winners and four of them are recipients of the Golden Visa. They put on their best colours, so to say, for the event. Dazzling hues, vibrant forms and shapes, bold brush strokes that vied with muted lines, ravishing tints, masterly tones and surprising shades, brought out the tremendous dimensions of Indian art. The richness of the artistic heritage of the country and its purposeful journey of the past seventy five years, was depicted with the confidence and clarity that Indian art is famous for.


Consul General of India in Dubai Dr Aman Puri (left) and Khalil Abdul-Wahid, Director of Fine Art, Dubai Culture and Arts Authority, interacted with artists./ Kamal Kassim/Gulf Today


Dr Aman Puri, while addressing the gathering said: “As you all know, India will complete seventy five years of freedom next year on August 15. “So, celebrations to mark this auspicious day have started seventy five weeks prior to that.” They will continue, he added. He also invited Indians to take part in the Indian Pavilion at Expo 2020.

Khalil Abdul-Wahid said, that “I appreciate the Indian Consulate for bringing cultures together. Interacting with artists and seeing their artworks, was a learning experience.

“I liked the different techniques used by them. We are lucky that we live in the UAE, which is a multicultural place. I grew up watching Bollywood cinemas!”

Renowned Dubai-based Indian artist Atul Panase’s paintings captured the essence of people, places, things and situations in myriad colours, as portraits, landscapes and abstracts. His unique perception gives each work a poignant touch.  Filled with the message of equality, Panase’s works offer a view of the Indian State of Rajasthan.


Colourful artworks representing the diversity of India.

Colourful turbans are a leading feature of the State and are sometimes considered its essence. The artworks carried them in plenty. Panase spoke about equality through his works.  A recipient of the Golden Visa, he is also the curator of the show. “I connect freedom with art,” he said. “Freedom and art are complementary to each other. Freedom, like art, is priceless. If there is no freedom, there is no art.” Today, we feel blessed to share our art on an auspicious occasion, he concluded.        

Punam A Salecha’s artworks spoke about the philosophy of life and indicated the importance of roots. She advocates the significance of being true to oneself. Be original and be pure, was the critical message of her works. Another passionate artist, Vidisha Pandey, who has been living in Dubai for about five years, brought the famous Mithila school of painting to this part of the world. She wants to promote Mithila art through her works, of whose paintings she is a passionate devotee. “It is amazing to be a part of this event,” she said.


The participating artists were selected from 650 submissions.

Sharjah-based never-say-old octogenarian Indian artist Anjani P Laitu’s artworks showed the colours of life. His colourful works graced one corner of the auditorium, and shone bright light on artistic possibilities and his passion for his craft, in equal measure. Laitu was extremely excited to be a part of the event. He said “it is for the first time my works are being showcased under the patronage of the Indian Consulate. So I am very thrilled about this.

I hope to collaborate more in more events with them in times to come.” Shrutika Gosavi’s “Mitti Ki Khushboo” explored India through the Indian Thali (Food plate). Her use of Indian grains, like pulses and corn, was quite amazing.

She opted for a rich variety of Indian cuisines, to depict her country. Her works received “thalis” of praise. Akshay Arora’s huge artworks drew lots of attention for their theme. He explored the concept of ancient Indian philosophy through his creations, highlighting the purpose of life. Swapnil Jawale had created his artworks especially for the occasion. His artworks advocate the importance of connecting with one’s roots and his paintings of horses, are pleasing to the eyes. The exhibition will be open for public (who have taken both jabs of vaccine) from July 19 to September 8, for three days a week (Monday-Wednesday), from 1400 hrs to 1800 hrs.