India Art Festival 2025 Brings 3,000 artworks to Bengaluru

The lack of public art galleries in India, and limited venues for emerging artists to showcase their work is what prompted Rajendra Patil to launch India Art Festival in 2011 in Mumbai. Since then, the founder-director has taken the public art event to New Delhi, Bengaluru, and Hyderabad.

With the 2025 edition set to take place in Bengaluru this week, Rajendra explains how the idea behind starting the festival was simple: to create a platform for artists. “Back in 2011, metros did not have any art fairs. As an art activist associated with The Bombay Art Society, I strongly felt the need to create opportunities for both urban and rural artists, as well as art galleries.”

Art by P Gnana
| Photo Credit:
Special Arrangement

Now in its fifth edition, the Festival will showcase over 3,000 artworks from more than 20 galleries and 300 artists from 25 cities across India. Artists will feature an array of artworks across mediums such as paintings, sculptures, photography, ceramics, installations, and traditional art forms.

With individual artists at the core of the festival, Rajendra created a dual model that features an Art Galleries Pavilion and an Artists’ Pavilion. “Since there are very few public art galleries in India, many talented artists struggle to find space to show their work. The festival aims to bridge that gap,” he says, adding that new artists are onboarded every year, alongside 50–60% repeat participants.

“Some of the artists debuting this year include watercolour artist Anil Verghese; Rajeev Rai, who experiments with photography and mixed media; young talents such as Dev Mehta, Arthi Singavi, Khushi Sancheti, Rigden Lama, among others.” 

Rajendra Patil
| Photo Credit:
Special Arrangement

For the 2025 edition, he is introducing a curated landscape art show titled ‘Brush Strokes of Karnataka’ that has been curated by K. S. Appajaiah, former dean, Karnataka Chitrakala Parishath College of Fine Arts.

“This show brings together leading landscape artists who beautifully portray Karnataka’s natural and cultural heritage: its historic sites like Hampi, Badami, Aihole, Pattadakal, as well as its forests, rivers, hills, rural life, and temple architecture,” explains Rajendra.

Anjali Prabhakar’s artwork
| Photo Credit:
Special Arrangement

As for new art forms being explored this year, he says the line-up features artists Arul Murugan and Parimal who will showcase a fusion of modern art and Tanjore styles; M Narayan will present watercolours of polo players; and galleries such as Studio3 Art Gallery in Mumbai, Bengaluru’s Sara Arakkal Gallery, etc. will exhibit contemporary art and pieces by senior artists.

Art by Rajeev Rai
| Photo Credit:
Special Arrangement

Showcasing in Bengaluru is always a win, Rajendra says. “The city has a vibrant, diverse, and growing community that appreciates art. Young professionals, families, and collectors here regularly visit art events. So, the Festival supports artists, especially from rural and semi-urban areas, and also caters to art lovers.”

From December 12-14 at Crown Pavilions, Palace Ground – Gate No 5