Lalit Kala Akademi announces 20 awards at 65th National Exhibition of Art
The 65th National Exhibition of Art celebrates excellence with 20 awards across painting, sculpture, and printmaking by top Indian artists.
The Lalit Kala Akademi, India's National Academy of Art, has officially announced the winners of the 65th National Exhibition of Art (NEA). This prestigious event, one of the country's most significant annual showcases for contemporary visual art, has honored 20 exceptional artists for their outstanding contributions across various creative mediums.
A Massive Scale of Artistic Participation
The latest edition of the NEA witnessed an unprecedented surge in creativity from across the nation. According to information released by the Ministry of Culture, the Akademi received a staggering 6,175 artworks submitted by 2,495 artists. These participants represented 27 different States and Union Territories, highlighting the deep-rooted artistic diversity of India.
The selection process was conducted in two rigorous stages:
- First-Tier Jury: This panel meticulously reviewed the massive influx of entries and selected 270 artworks to be presented at the exhibition.
- Second-Tier Jury: This specialized group was tasked with identifying the most exemplary works to receive the prestigious Lalit Kala Akademi Awards.
The selected works span a vast array of techniques and materials, including painting, sculpture, printmaking, drawing, and mixed media, showcasing how contemporary Indian artists are constantly experimenting with new ideas and forms.
The 20 Award-Winning Masterpieces
The awards recognize excellence in diverse categories. Among the standout winners are:
Sculpture and Mixed Media
- Chandra Shekhar Sain: Awarded for “My Entire World - I” crafted in terracotta.
- Nidhi Chopra: Recognized for her ceramic sculpture “Tangible Dreams”.
- Nimai Singh Sarungbam: Honored for the teak wood sculpture “Mudra - I”.
- Pooja Rajpoot: Awarded for her white marble sculpture “Prakriti Shoshan”.
- Raviram Ramakrishnan: Recognized for his oxidised welded copper sculpture “Fisherwoman”.
- Santa Deb: Awarded for the ceramic sculpture “Attraction of Simplicity”.
Painting and Drawing
- Gopal Chandra Naskar: For “The Tune of The Srimad Bhagavad Gita” (acrylic on canvas).
- Kishor Kumar Narkhadiwala: For “Paryavaran” (oil on canvas).
- Mrinal Dey: For the painting “Hopeless Settlement”.
- Pankaj Kumar Sharma: For the panel work “Haloed Traveler - II” under the drawing category.
- Praveen Kumar: For the mixed-medium painting “Where The Walls Remember”.
- Rajendra Prasad: For the watercolor wash painting “Sujata With Buddha”.
- Ramesh Vithal Thorat: For the oil on canvas “Untitled - II”.
- Sanjay Kumar Sahani: For the oil on canvas “Youth”.
- Sanjib Kumar Gogoi: For “Aakar Nirankar - II” (acrylic and oil on canvas).
- Vijendra Sharma: For the oil on canvas “Life 2025”.
Printmaking and Other Mediums
- Pritam Madhukar Deuskar: Awarded for the etching “Of Time and The City”.
- Sanjay Kumar: Recognized for “When Memories Come Back - 7” (mixed media).
- Siddharth Shahjirao Shingade: Honored for the mixed-media work “Trees”.
- Usharanjan Mandal: Awarded for “Wheel of A Crowded City” (other mediums).
Boosting India's Creative Economy
Beyond mere recognition, the 65th National Exhibition of Art serves as a vital engine for India's creative economy. By acting as a bridge between artists, collectors, and institutions, the exhibition provides much-needed visibility and professional growth for creators.
"The display and sale of artworks also enable artists to receive direct economic benefits, supporting their artistic practice and contributing to a more sustainable ecosystem for the visual arts," the Ministry of Culture noted in its press release.
Through this platform, the Lalit Kala Akademi continues its mission to support both established masters and emerging talents, ensuring that diverse artistic voices from every corner of India continue to thrive and experiment.