MAY 26: On May 26, 2025, President of India, Smt. Droupadi Murmu, welcomed a group of distinguished artists to Rashtrapati Bhavan as part of the ongoing Artists in Residence programme. This cultural initiative, known as Kala Utsav, aims to celebrate and preserve India’s rich traditional, folk, and tribal art forms by offering artists a platform to showcase their work in its original, authentic form.
As part of this year’s programme, artists specializing in Gond art from Madhya Pradesh and Madhubani art from Bihar have been residing at Rashtrapati Bhavan from May 20 to May 27, 2025. The residency has allowed them to work, interact, and present their art in an environment that honors and encourages India’s diverse cultural heritage.
The participating Madhubani artists include Shanti Devi, Ambika Devi, Manisha Jha, Priti Karn, Ranjan Paswan, Urmila Devi, Shravan Paswan, Kumari Nalinee Shah, and Moti Karn. Representing the Gond art tradition are Durgabai Vyam, Subhash Vyam, Nankusia Shyam, Ram Singh Urveti, Dilip Shyam, Champakali, Heeraman Urvety, and Japani Shyam Dhurwey. These artists, many of whom have dedicated their lives to their respective crafts, embody generations of cultural wisdom and artistic skill passed down over centuries.
During the interaction, the President viewed the artworks created by the artists during their stay at Rashtrapati Bhavan. She expressed deep appreciation for their remarkable contributions to safeguarding and promoting India’s indigenous artistic traditions. Smt. Murmu commended the artists for their commitment to their craft and emphasized the importance of preserving these forms of expression, which are vital to the nation’s cultural identity.
The Artists in Residence programme at Rashtrapati Bhavan not only provides recognition and support to traditional artists but also serves as a cultural bridge, bringing tribal and folk art into the national spotlight. Initiatives like Kala Utsav play a key role in ensuring that these invaluable art forms continue to flourish and inspire future generations.
President Murmu extended her heartfelt best wishes to all the artists for their future creative endeavors and encouraged them to continue enriching India’s artistic and cultural landscape.