India Today | Soft Power

By Kiran Nadar

India is a bustling cosmopolis where everything, everywhere, happens all at once. Indians and Indian-origin heroes are thriving not just here but across the global cultural, business and political landscape. India’s cultural heritage and legacy is deeply rooted in ancient tradition. It offers an unparalleled opportunity to shape global perceptions and foster creative synergies. India’s primacy in the Geographical South is of immense importance in encouraging a cultural exchange with other countries. These collaborations enhance bilateral ties and create opportunities for a more inclusive and equitable world of art.

The Indian art market is currently at its strongest, with auction records being broken for iconic artists like Amrita Sher-Gil, S.H. Raza, Raja Ravi Varma and V.S. Gaitonde. Contemporary art sales are also on the rise, paralleled by a growing global institutional interest in South Asian art. Now more than ever, works by Indian artists are prominently featured in prestigious museums worldwide. I do believe that years of commitment to Indian and South Asian art by institutions, private collectors and foundations are finally seeing results. This is obvious from the number of artists being represented at the 60th Venice Biennale; additionally, institutional exhibitions currently on view that showcase South Asian artists include the Public Art Fund displaying the works of Huma Bhabha in New York, The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, showcasing Raqib Shaw, and the Yorkshire Sculpture Park’s sublime Bharti Kher display among others.

Unlike the Western art market, which has had centuries to evolve, the Indian art market is still relatively young. The culture of living with original artworks is a relatively new concept but is rapidly catching on. The Ministry of Culture and other governmental bodies have supported various cultural festivals, exhibitions, and heritage conservation projects.