Art and beyond : India’s top Art exhibitions and festivals.

Art is what makes daily life worth experiencing, but in today’s hectic work schedules, we often find ourselves leaving art around us unappreciated. A good way to redeem ourselves from this seemingly mundane life, would be to take a trip to the nearest art festival or a painting workshop. Wouldn't it be great to occasionally unwind by painting a few beautiful artworks or appreciating those created by others. At Rooftop, we help you do just that by connecting with the artist in you by keeping you connected with art in India and the world. Whether you’re an art lover or simply want to have a good time appreciating art, visiting an art exhibition is a sure shot way to stay connected. Here are top 5 art exhibitions in India that you must visit.

Indian Art Festival is a contemporary art fair known for hosting memorable art exhibits in Mumbai, New Delhi, Hyderabad and Bengaluru every year in collaboration with various artisans across the country, providing them a platform to showcase their wares. With the aim to provide a platform to marginalised and underrepresented voices of Indian artists, IAF holds a highly democratised approach to the Indian art market by bringing urban and rural artists together and creating a non-judgemental space solely meant to appreciate original and thought-provoking artwork.

Other than art exhibits, the IAF also features other notable events such as fusion shows which include live music, painting demos and educative seminars consisting of panel discussions meant to engage the audience and encourage them to participate in the public discourse of art. With about 10,000 artworks across three metro cities, the Indian Art Festival cements itself as a platform successful in gathering different voices from all parts of the country.

A promising confluence of cultural and artistic disciplines, Serendipity Arts Festival transforms the streets of Panaji into a bustling centre of cultural and theatrical exchange for a week. Founded in 2016, Serendipity Arts Festival is the only cultural exhibition in India spanning multiple disciplines such as Music, Dance, Art, Theatre, Literature and Food. With an attendance of 450,000 people per year, Serendipity Arts Festival has managed to make art an integral part of Goa. With stellar organisation matching world standards, this cultural exhibition is billed as India’s first multidisciplinary event, standing out effortlessly in India’s festival calendar by carving a presence of its own and most importantly, redefining what qualifies as art in today’s day and age.

Cartist Automobile Art Festival is an Indian Art exhibition hosted in Jaipur that aims to promote automobile art in India by creating a space both for art lovers and automobile enthusiasts at their exhibit. Cartist bridges the gap between automobiles and art by merging their common ground of aesthetics into an innovative art form. Promoting a cross-industry collaboration by helping automobile brands build unique narratives, Cartist’s expertise in art and design helps them build memorable experiences for their target audiences. The art exhibit also includes workshops, talks and exhibitions where participants get to try making installation art from auto parts. If you are an automobile enthusiast and an art fanatic, you’re in for a hoot!

A 13-day long carnival filled with rich Indian arts, crafts, cuisines, cultures, dance and music, Taj Mahotsav is one of the top cultural exhibitions in India. With thousands of Indian and foreign travellers visiting this festival every year, Taj Mahotsav has been a great platform for legendary artisans and performers to display their talents and encapture the audiences with their diverse array of creations. Since its inauguration in 1992, many great performers across fields have graced its stage. This year’s exhibit includes an artme Other than being a cultural bonanza, Taj Mahotsav provides a soul-stirring experience for its attendees, leaving them in an awe-inspiring state. With one of the seven wonders by their side, Taj Mahotsav proves to be a festival extravagant in its own right.

This 25-year-old festival should be a necessity in every art lover's calendar. A festival known for its innovative themes and thought-provoking artworks, Kala Ghoda is a multi-disciplinary cultural exhibit delving into everything from music and drama to handicrafts and traditional Indian artforms. With its diverse palate of artistic expression, the Kala Ghoda Arts Festival is a notable initiative taken to foster an appreciation of art in our daily lives. The festival also consists of heritage walks all across Mumbai and stand up events, making sure you never experience a moment of boredom. Kala Ghoda, also known as South Mumbai’s beloved art district, will never let you down when you are looking for a moment of inspiration in the city of dreams.

Attending an art festival, be it for fun or for inspiration, is necessary for every creative person to enjoy because of the emotionally-filling experience it provides to its visitors. To know more about such art festivals and cultural exhibits, check out similar articles by Rooftop detailing the best cultural exhibitions or art festivals you can visit. Most importantly, these platforms provide a stage to the talented artists who are often undercompensated for their work. By giving a free space for people to display and express themselves in any form, these art festivals act as a stimulant for one’s creativity. And not only do they inspire us by providing a comfortable space, but also display the uniqueness behind the creative concepts for each of these festivals. While modern art and fusion artforms are on the forefront at exhibitions and galleries, showcasing traditional Indian art is something that we at Rooftop are very passionate about. Take a look at our mobile app where we have curated artworks and paintings by maestro artists covering traditional Indian artforms like Bhil, Warli, Gond, Baiga, Pichwai and more. We can't wait to take our little virtual art gallery, and convert it into a physical space where you can appreciate Indian art! Maybe that's what’s next on the cards! Stay tuned!