The fourth edition of Toi’s Art of India (AOI) was opened with an encouraging note with the Cultural Minister of Maharashtra, Ashish Shilar, announcing the launch of Mahara – Maharashtra Artistic Recognition Award – As the State’s commitment to its rich artistic heritage. “As of this year, Mahara will honor outstanding contributions in the field of art and crafts,” said Ashish Shilar, who also announced another ambitious initiative – Waves – Waves – Waves – Waves – Waves – Waves – Waves – Waves World Entertainment Summit Visualwhich will take place in Mumbai from May 1 to 4. “Just as Davos organizes the World Economic Forum, this Summit will bring together global leaders in art, culture, music, cinema and stories narration to show the artistic and creative potential of India,” he said, and added that the first Minister Narendra Modi, along with several international guests, will attend the event.
In another great impulse for the arts, the Maharashtra Association with the Central Government reiterated to establish the Indian Institute of Creative Technology (IICT) in a 10 -acre plot in the Goregaon Cinema City. “This center of excellence will bring together artists, sculptors, artisans, filmmakers and content creators under the same roof. India produces some of the best creative works in the world, and we must recognize its potential.”
After AOI’s great success in Delhi, these main cultural commitments prepared the stage for Mumbai edition, reaffirming the role of the platform in the celebration and recognition of the country’s creative community.
The Mumbai edition of the Exhibition, inaugurated by the Industrial Ajay Piramal, the Cultural Minister Ashish Shilar, the author Shobhaa of, the director of CSMVs Sabyasachi Mukherjee, showed a surprising mix of master’s teachers with legendary names, emerging voices and superreprenemed artists . This edition of AOI also highlights the rich miniature styles and popular traditions of India.
Piramal presented a strong case to expand institutional support to the arts. “I feel that exhibitions like this will only help take art to more and more people and encourage them,” he said, pointing out how art should transcend social and educational limits. “Art is for everyone. You don’t have to be highly educated or part of the elite to appreciate it. If you look at the history of Indian’s great masters, they came from humble background, but they made a name worldwide,” he said, “he said Pyramal, welcoming the growing international interest in Indian art. “Indian art is finally recognized abroad, but when it compares its market value with its beauty and ability, there is still a gap,” he said, emphasizing the need to not only celebrate Indian art, but to make sure he gets recognition And the price really deserves.
Describing the fourth edition of AOI as a “great, great moment for Mumbai, and, in fact, for India,” said: “What is special is the inclusion, diversity and gender fluidity that is also represented so equally .
Shanti Ekambaram, a member of the Kotak Mahindra Banking Board, remained in the deepest essence of art beyond its visual appeal. Citing Amrita Sher-Gil, he reflected on the personal connection that artists have with their homeland: “I can only paint in India. Europe belongs to Picasso, Matisse. India only belongs to me.” After taking a brief walk through space with more than 250 works by 150 renowned artists, he described it as “some of the most exclusive and impressive works of art in India.”
In addition to its aesthetic value, Ekambaram highlighted its appeal as an investment. Citing data on the Hurun India 2024 list, he said: “I come from the world of money, so you know, I can talk about money and how art is really valuable. Sales of the 50 best artists reached more than 300 million of crore rus in 2024, a 19% increase compared to the previous year.
On how art should be bought, Curator Aoi Alka Panda had these wise words. “Let art speak to you. Let you pause, reflect and see the world differently. Because that is what art does, it reminds us of our shared humanity and our endless ability to expect a better future” .
For some, art is restorative; For others, it can be resistance or even an antidote in chaos times. But although it means different things for different people, it has a magnetic power. His raffle was visible in AOI, which attracted not only the cultural fraternity but also in some of the best legal and corporate minds in the country. Among those who attended were Sonjoy Chatterjee, president and CEO of Goldman Sachs; Anant Goenka, Executive Director of Indian Express; The main criminal lawyer Amit Desai; and Shishir Mehta, Co-Head, India Practice in the Global Ashurst law firm.
