The inaugural edition of Naayaab showcases curated masterpieces created by master artisans who are the recipients of the highest awards such as Padma Vibhushan, Padma Shri, and Shilp Guru, among others. To be held in 3 cities, it will have 100+ exclusive Masterpieces of 40+ Traditional Artforms crafted by 70+ Maestros.
The travelling exhibition will begin in Delhi (August 25h & 26th), followed by Hyderabad (September 4th & 5th), and conclude in Mumbai (September 13th & 14th). All exhibitions will be held at will happen at Taj Hotels in respective cities. An exclusive exhibition, art collectors and connoisseurs are admitted by invitation only.
Naayaab, simply put, is a rare symphony of the greats – from the select and superlative works of traditional Indian art forms to the highest awarded master artisans who created them, to the best of art patrons and collectors who can rejoice them – it is the first-ever platform to bring them all together, to celebrate the enduring legacy of Indian craftsmanship.
Some of the award-winning artisans whose work will be displayed include Sudarshan Sahoo (Padma Vibhushan, 2021 & Padma Shri, 1988) for stone carving; Jai Prakash Lakhiawal (Padma Shri, 2016) for miniature painting; Khaleel Ahmad (Padma Shri, 2024) for kilim carpet; Bhuri Bai (Padma Shri, 2021) for Bhil art; Gond artist Durga Bai Vyam (Padma Shri, 2022) among others.
“The intricate and time-honoured craft forms of India carry a unique allure and elegance that transcends time. Their traditional essence embodies centuries of skill, creativity, and cultural narratives, making them invaluable treasures of artistic heritage. At Naayaab, our vision is not just to showcase these art forms but to celebrate their timeless beauty and profound significance. By elevating them to the forefront of the global art landscape, we strive to honour their rightful place and secure their enduring legacy for generations.,” Akansha Dixit, Founder & Chief Curator, Naayaab.
The showcase is essentially a series of conversations, dialogues and music offering a holistic view of these rare masterpieces. Naayaab, from the house of Craft Maestros, has curated these artworks from artisans across 70+ diverse locations in India and their price points will range from a few lakhs to a few crores.
The long-term aim of Naayaab is to make the showcase a prominent part of annual cultural calendars of India and major world cities, and with that, it hopes to deliver double-engine impact and growth to the artisans and the sector at large. As the core team of Naayaab has been closely working with these artisans for over six years through Craft Maestros, it is aiming to muster new inspirations in the next generations of artisans, and reverse the narrative of these art forms as time-consuming & low-paying works, thereby infusing fresh breath of creativity and excellence.
“With a legion of Indian art forms, rooted in history and perfected over centuries, looking to find their next watershed moment, Naayaab ventures to bring them into the spotlight where the gifted artisans can envisage a future for their crafts and the aesthetes can find for themselves a piece of this storied beauty, tangible and timeless, just as Naayaab” – Ajay A Singh, Founder Director, Naayaab.
About Naayaab
Naayaab, from the house of Craft Maestros, is the first-ever platform for ‘masterpieces of India’ – a showcase of collectible heritage, comprising of award-winning and exquisite objets d’art from traditional Indian arts and crafts, meticulously curated from President of India awarded artisans across the country.
About Craft Maestros
Craft Maestros, an award winning start-up in the handicrafts sector, has created a unique hub & spoke model (100+ hubs with 5000+ associated artisans across 17 states of India) for authentic hand crafted works from master artisans of India, while building income channels through digital and corporate gifting modes with highest satisfaction & joy ratings.
Image Courtesy – Naayaab
