Last month, 40 galleries, 400 artists and thousands of artworks were centrestage along with a myriad spread of art related events. For four days in November, Mumbai’s Nehru Centre was transformed into a spectacular setting as it hosted Mumbai’s first art fair — the India Art Festival.

The brainchild of Kalavishkar, an NGO, the modern and contemporary art festival, spread over two floors, saw an assortment of artworks including sculptures and paintings, installations, photographs, video and digital artworks — each one competing with the other for attention. What also enthralled the visitors were the crossover events – featuring fusion shows with art, music, poetry recitation, film screenings, lectures and interactive sessions between artists and critics.

From the India Art Festival team, director, Rajendra Patil, president, Dr. Saryu Doshi, chairperson, Prafulla Dahanukar and advisor, Anupa Mehta ensured that the show was a fantastic affair. There were intriguing panel discussions on contemporary art and infrastructure and locating ourselves in shifting global scenarios, moderated by Nancy Adajania, cultural theorist and curator with Sarmistha Ray, Arshiya Lokhandwala and Ratnottama Sengupta. On one of the afternoons, the effect of economical uncertainties on the Indian art market was discussed by Maithili Parekh, Sotheby’s India in charge, Renu Modi, director, Gallery Espace and Nandan Maluste. Another interesting discussion was when Abhay Sardesai, Girish Shahane, Johny ML and Nanak Ganguly debated on ‘Art criticism being non-existent in India’. Also an interesting topic discussed by artist-academician Indrapramit Roy and Adip Dutta from Kolkata along with artists Tushar Jog and Ritu Khoda was ‘The need for education in art in India’.

Veteran art collectors like Phiroza Godrej, Dr Saryu Doshi, Nitin Bhayana and Czaee Shah discussed the ‘Art of art collection’. The open dialogue between artists and art critics saw the London-based art curator and critic Shaheen Merali and Anupa Mehta talk to ace abstractionist Prabhakar Kolte and Baiju Parthan.

An individual artist award of Rs. 1 lakh went to Shashikant Dhotre, a young artist from Sholapur. Of his works on display, all, barring one, were beautiful images of women in various poses, intricately done with colour pencils on black paper.

The festival acted as a cultural bridge between Indian artists and art galleries, art collectors, art critics and connoisseurs by allowing a dialogue between them. Indeed a rare treat for all who love art.

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