Taking Indian Art to Africa: Art Workshops for the Ministry of External Affairs

There’s something timeless about Indian art it tells stories, carries history, and connects people across generations. But what happens when those stories travel beyond borders? When artists and creators from different parts of the world come together, not just to observe but to participate? It creates a whole new world of colours, conversations and global storytelling. That’s exactly what happened when Rooftop, in collaboration with the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), conducted a series of immersive Indian art workshops for a special delegation of 30 content creators from Africa. We hosted hands-on, Indian art experiences in three culturally vibrant cities — Hyderabad, Mumbai, and Jaipur. Showcasing Indian art to content creators from Africa became powerful tools of cross-cultural dialogue and creative exchange. Being able to help them showcasing their cultural experience in India to all their community back home was a feather in our cap! In a world driven by digital content, these creators became cultural ambassadors, helping redefine how Indian art is perceived no longer as museum pieces, but as living traditions one can touch, paint, and take part in. Hear a little about how we introduced them to the world of Indian art.

This initiative, led by the Ministry of External Affairs, aimed to foster deeper ties between nations through the soft power of art and culture. Staying true to our niche of being a platform for traditional arts, we were proud to bring this vision to life through workshops that went beyond technique. They became shared cultural moments, where brushes, pigments, and folk tales bridged continents.

In the serene setting of The Leela, Hyderabad content creators explored traditional Indian Cheriyal mask painting art with expert artists Manga Pasula - an artist practicing this art for decades. It was a session filled with vibrant storytelling, where African creators discovered the layers of symbolism and tradition that define Indian visual culture. Many expressed how closely Indian art resonated with indigenous African expressions both rich in pattern, ritual, and heritage. They took home souvenirs of the mini Cheriyal masks that they handpainted themselves.

Hosted at the iconic National Gallery of Modern Art, this workshop added a very real twist to the use of Indian art. Delegates painted sustainable cloth tote bags with motifs from Indian folk arts. The activity sparked a broader conversation how can tradition adapt to contemporary life? How can art be sustainable and shareable? And importantly, how can it live beyond the workshop through social media!

In Jaipur, the pink city of India, known for its vibrant crafts and royal artistry, the group delved into the whimsical world of Rajasthani puppet painting. With master artist Pappu Bhat guiding them, content creators brought hand-carved puppets to life using bright colors and traditional motifs. This workshop highlighted the storytelling traditions of India-a concept that resonated deeply with creators used to crafting narratives online.

These weren’t just workshops - they were experiences crafted for the age of digital storytelling. The African creators, each with their own dedicated following, documented their journey on social media. Reels, Instagram stories, vlogs, and posts captured their artistic processes, cultural discoveries, and newfound love for Indian art. This real-time sharing helped amplify Indian folk art to new audiences across Africa and beyond, sparking curiosity and appreciation across borders. For Rooftop, this collaboration was more than a successful series of events it was a reminder of why we do what we do. Bringing traditional Indian art to global audiences, not just as a spectator activity, but as something experiential, emotional, and interactive is central to our mission. As the content creators from Africa returned home with their handmade art, memories, and stories, they took with them a piece of India not just in pigment and paper, but in perspective. They’ll share it with their audiences, opening new conversations about craft, culture, and connection. For us, it's exactly what we want, to keep painting those bridges one brushstroke and one Indian artform at a time.