Treasure of India Gallery Debuts in Gurgaon Celebrating Indigenous Craft

A New Home for Traditional Arts

The Treasure of India gallery has officially opened in Gurgaon, launching with its inaugural exhibition, 'Navratna: Indigenous Masters.' Curated by art historian Uma Nair, the space was founded by artist Tanisha Bakshi. It functions as an extension of a 45-year family legacy in art collecting, originally established by Ashok Samrat Bakshi. Rather than operating solely as a commercial gallery, the venue seeks to function as a hub for tribal and indigenous artisans.

Empowering Master Artisans

Through the Treasure of India Art Foundation, the gallery aims to provide sustained support for practitioners of traditional crafts. Key initiatives include:

• Residencies and Workshops: Providing resources to help traditional creators attain international recognition.
• Economic Advocacy: Ensuring that master artisans receive fair financial and social valuation for their skills.
• Global Platform: Working to secure worldwide prestige for Indian indigenous art forms.

The Navratna Exhibition

The opening exhibition showcases works from nine national award-winning artisans, covering a wide range of historic techniques. Notable practitioners featured include:

• Dokra Art: Baldev Waghmare and Hirabai Jhareka Baghel.
• Gond Art: Nankusia Shyam.
• Sohrai Art: Putli Ganju.
• Pattachitra Art: Niranjan Maharana and Akshaya Kumar Bariki.
• Kalighat Painting: Putul Chitrakar.
• Pichwai and Miniature Painting: Leelakamt Pareek and Sudarshan Pareek.

Founder Tanisha Bakshi notes that the project is dedicated to preserving the "sacred lineage" of Indian craftsmanship. Curator Uma Nair emphasizes that the exhibition reflects the richness of Indian heritage, citing the philosophical connection between these art forms and village life. Visitors interested in the ongoing work of the gallery and the foundation can verify details via their official announcements or local art event listings.