Siddhartha Karmakar a curator and a master in fine arts from Kolkata. Has made tremendous efforts to bring these artist together, who have displayed various forms and concepts through their art. He aims to give a platform to new and emerging artists through these group art shows in Mumbai, Pune and Kolkata.
Freedom 3, an exhibition and award event at Nehru Centre Art Gallery, from 11 to 16 August, 2026.
Shailesh Meshram holds a degree in Fine Art from Chitrakala Mahavidyalaya (Nagpur School of Design). His artistic journey began early with numerous college group exhibitions centered on plein air painting. Professionally, he serves as the Creative Director at Seagull Advertising, seamlessly blending commercial design with fine art.
Fresh off the energy of his debut show at the prestigious Jehangir Art Gallery—an experience that has left him deeply inspired—Shailesh lives by a simple ethos: paint with passion, create with honest purpose, and devote genuine focus to every piece.
Krushna Gaikwad is an emerging artist hailing from Nashik and currently based in Ghatkopar, Mumbai, where he teaches at a private institution. After completing his undergraduate fine arts degree in Nashik, he earned his Master’s degree from the prestigious Sir J.J. School of Art.
Marking his debut show at the iconic Jehangir Art Gallery, Krushna reflects on this milestone as the realization of a artistic journey set into motion during his formative student years.
Pradnya is a seasoned communications professional who manages a PR agency in Mumbai, delivering strategic media relations and public affairs solutions for major corporate clients.
Beyond her corporate achievements, Pradnya carries a deeply personal legacy shaped by her late father—a renowned artist known for his immense patience and profound creative devotion. Deeply moved when reflecting on their relationship, she views the artistic heritage and values passed down by him as her greatest treasure, continuing to inspire both her personal life and her approach to public relations.
Parshvanath Nandre is a visionary contemporary artist who splits his time between Mumbai and Kolhapur. An alumnus of the renowned Dalvis Art Institute, Nandre held his very first exhibition in 1992 at his village college. Over the decades, his work has gained international acclaim, featuring in exhibitions across New Delhi, London, South Korea, and Ahmedabad.
A pioneer in material exploration, Nandre is celebrated for introducing and developing a signature technique using cut canvas—an innovative medium that adds a sculptural dimension to flat space and establishes him as a leading force in modern artistic experimentation.
Jehangir sets yet another wave of art and culture celebrating India Indepedence day.
“Devika is the student head or ‘Gundi’ —spearheading an elite team of ten students who have achieved remarkable excellence in watercolour and fine arts. Her exceptional skills shine through her abstract work, inviting us to look deeper and engage with her vision. Beyond her art, she has meticulously scheduled a lineup of programs tailored for students, aspiring artists, and music lovers alike.”
Milind Mullick, a name in synonymous with water colour and art, with 10,000 workshops and many accolades in his cap, has made extensive efforts to reach out to art students to gather and celebrate this evening at Raja Ravi Verma.
The only ship that never sinks is the friendship between Charahuas Pandit ji and Milind Mullick, from yeh dosti ham nahi todenge to the toss of the coin to the yarri hain imaan meri yaar meri zindagi, let’s jam on the guitar along with the students and team.
The group art show at Raja Ravi Verma Art Gallery, the first of its kind student teacher in collaboration.
Guru Purnima is, in true essence, making Milind Mullick an ace teacher and a mentor. Punekar celebrates art at Raja Ravi Verma Art Gallery.
Rajika Mittra is the curator and driving force behind the Asian Art House, which specializes in bringing exceptional contemporary art from across India and Southeast Asia to curated luxury spaces.
For an event like this Art Brunch, her curation is what bridges the gap between the culinary experience and the gallery-level showcases, specifically selecting the Indi-Vietnamese art and Manoj Das’s Banaras paintings to transform Coriander Kitchen into a living gallery.
Coriander Kitchen
- Culinary Showcase: The buffet features a dedicated “Pahadi ki Rasoi” section, serving authentic, rustic flavors and traditional dishes from the Indian Himalayan foothills.
- Ambiance: The restaurant’s expansive architecture, marked by a 40-foot high ceiling and large windows, complements the exhibition of fine art.
Featured Art Exhibitions
The dining area transforms into a gallery space showcasing distinct cultural and artistic themes.
- Indi-Vietnamese Art: A unique display blending Indian sensibilities with Vietnamese artistic traditions, highlighting shared Eastern aesthetics, forms, and textures.
- Manoj Das’s Banaras Paintings: A collection by artist Manoj Das, capturing the mystical essence, ghats, and spiritual energy of Banaras through a distinct modern perspective and rich visual depth.
And I sketched while I was waiting at the Conrad.
Live sketch as Urban Sketchers Sunday meet of Flutist Neeraj Kulkarni.
Sketching in the patio of Coriander Kitchen.
Art Brunch at Conrad, Manoj Das gives a demo of his art of banaras and makes it a memorable moment for the guest and Rajika Mittra takes them through an Art Walk.
Gateway of India
Furgesson College, Pune, F C Road.
Kakakuwa Mansion, Laxmi Road.
Dastur Meher Road, Camp, Pune
Furgesson College, FC Road, Pune
Urban Sketchers 10 year completion Logo
Xrbia Towship, Phase 2, Opp to Club House.
Paradise Restaurtant and Cafe, Secunderbad.
IHMC, Banjara Hills, Hyderabad
Urban Sketching at Pune in various other locations with Urban Sketchers Pune and some along with friends or while travelling or waiting by myself Moiz Mamoowala.
By Moiz Mamoowala
It’s heartening to see Pune leaning into its “cultural capital” roots by embracing the future of food, which, ironically, looks a lot like the past. Initiatives like the Earth Souk at Monalisa Kalagram aren’t just about shopping; they are about rebuilding a lost connection with the soil. Extending the Art gallery to artisanal food and making an excuse for a Mother’s Day gift hamper or for any festive occasion. Creating a unique experience for mothers and kids or grownups to treat their mothers for a memory inclusive of art, food and groceries.
Here is a breakdown of why this shift towards millets and mindful consumption is gaining such momentum:
Why the “Millet Revival” Matters?
Millets are often called “miracle grains” for a reason. While they were sidelined during the Green Revolution in favor of rice and wheat, their comeback is fueled by two major factors:
- Environmental Resilience: Millets are incredibly hardy. They require significantly less water than rice and can grow in poor soil without the need for synthetic fertilizers.
- Nutritional Powerhouse: They are gluten-free, have a low Glycemic Index (GI), and are packed with fiber, protein, and essential minerals like magnesium and iron.
At a Glance: What Earth Souk Offers
| Category | Featured Highlights |
| The Grains | Ragi (Finger millet), Bajra (Pearl), Jowar (Sorghum), and minor millets like Foxtail and Kodo. |
| Pantry Staples | Cold-pressed oils, chemical-free jaggery, raw forest honey, and stone-ground spices. |
| Fresh Produce | Seasonal vegetables and fruits grown using regenerative farming practices. |
| Education | Workshops on cooking with millets and the “Farm-to-Fork” journey. |
Beyond the Shopping Bag
The real value of events managed by community leaders like Akash Panavkar lies in the transparency they provide. In a typical supermarket, the “story” of your food is hidden behind plastic packaging. At the Earth Souk:
- Direct Dialogue: You can actually talk to the person who grew your food, understanding the challenges of chemical-free farming.
- Cultural Revival: By showcasing indigenous foods, the souk helps preserve traditional recipes and farming techniques that were on the verge of disappearing.
- Community Building: It transforms the act of “buying groceries” into a social and educational experience, making sustainability feel like a collective journey rather than a chore.
“Spoil Mom, Save the Planet: The Earth Souk Special”, At Monalisa Kalagram, Pune.
Art review by Moiz Mamoowala
Born in Jodhpur, He was schooled at St. Vincent’s High School, Pune. It was a moment of joy when Rajendraji shared his memories through his paintings of 4 cities, Jodhpur, Mumbai, Pune and Khajuraho.
A gold medalist at Youth Art Festival, an urban sketcher and a member of the Water Colour Association.
His friends from school accompanied and supported him for his solo show “Aquarelle Rendezvous”. Explaining his interest and knowledge about art and dedication towards artistic exploration and ideas. Having worked in business management and advertising, he has acquired specialised skills and developed a talent to showcase artistic sun and shade, life-like urban sketching, and watercolour paintings through his travel diaries.
An Audio of the Opening Dialogue. By Mr and Mrs Martyrs
A special moment, Shri Rajendra Mehta’s friends Mr Allen and Mrs Fiona Martyr’s, share a moment of the lighting of the samai and then opening the show for viewing, purchase, while having a sip of tea and coffee. Urban Sketchers were a support system and special thanks to Shridhar Susumal who has been instrumental and key person in making this art show a grand success.
Rajendra Mehta makes a new year memorable with his Solo Show at the P N Gadgil Art Gallery at Karve Nagar the Aquarelle Rendezvous.
Pune Sketchbook Festival took place at the German Goethe Institute, Pune. The inaugural ceremony has a very interesting way to cut ribbons of neighbouring stall, passing a message to love their neighbour after which the festival began. USK Akash Rode started with a presentation about the festival, events each day.
Urban Sketchers have a weekly meet on Sunday at 8:00 am for sketching various places in the city. These sketches have now become a souvenir as they take shape into merchandise such as mugs, postcards, calendars, coasters, bags, stamp-size stickers, bookmarks, T-shirts, quilts, caps, canvas paintings, and lamps. Urban Sketchers has a monthly magazine that shares a few thoughts on one sketch and a few techniques on how to sketch. Sketchbooks, colour palettes, and stalls to buy artist essentials like brushes, sketchbooks, colours, etc.
Akash Rode was the ideator of the sketch hunt and had written the clues. The clues were fascinating and really nice to sketch these places. He is one of the main pillars of the organising team, and his contribution to the Sketchbook Festival was immense, earning him a big round of applause from all.
With an exciting note, a few pictures of all the volunteers that had been supportive towards making the festival a success.
To be continued… until the next festival.