NGMA Bangalore Aviation-Themed Artworks
National Gallery of Modern Art (NGMA), Bangalore is set to host an exhibition featuring over 180 paintings and sculptures that were once part of Air India’s collection. Beginning on 7th March 2025, the Air India art collection at NGMA Bangalore will also showcase works by celebrated artists Salvador Dalí and MF Husain. The exhibition coincides with NGMA’s auditorium’s reopening and the institution’s 16th anniversary.
Aviation Heritage Exhibition National Gallery of Modern Art
Air India’s entire collection, consisting of thousands of iconic pieces, was moved from their Mumbai headquarters to NGMA Delhi following a memorandum of understanding between the Ministry of Aviation and Culture in 2023. These artworks adorned Air India’s offices and lounges around the globe, including locations in New York, London, Singapore, and Tokyo. These artefacts were the markers of Indian culture, a sight for international audiences.
Courtesy – Deccan Herald
Since the 1960s, Air India has been a vanguard of modern Indian art and aviation history. Several prominent Indian artists, the likes of B Prabha, V S Gaitonde, Jatin Das, Arpana Caur, and Anjolie Ela Menon, have contributed to their mission. The earliest Air India collection was created by Bombay’s Progressive Artists’ Group (PAG) members. To support their global charter mission, the collection expanded to showcase more regional diversity — Sakti Burman from the east, S G Vasudev, RB Bhaskaran, Achuthan K from the south, and Kanchan C from the north.
This relationship was advantageous for both parties: artists received institutional support and global visibility, while Air India highlighted India’s cultural wealth. Emerging artists often exchanged paintings for complimentary flights.
Sanhita – The Exhibition
The Air India Art Collection at NGMA Bangalore is curated in an exhibition called ‘Sanhita,’ or (coming together/ harmony). The exhibition will present a novel viewpoint on modern and contemporary Indian art. The exhibition predominately consists of oil paintings and sculptures crafted from metal, stone, papier-mâché, and wood. 15 out of the entire collection include Braille and Indian Sign Language. The show is curated by Subarna Patro and Darshan Kumar YU.
Courtesy – News18
Some of the pieces exude the ubiquitousness of their creators, for example, SH Raza’s vibrant colour palette and MF Husain’s equine motifs. However, some also pay homage to Air India, whose ownership returned to Tata Group 69 years after its nationalization. One such sculpture, causing frenzy is Salvador Dali’s limited-edition ceramic ashtray. Subarna Patro talks about it, “It’s an ashtray. J RD Tata (founder of the airline) bought it from Dali. In return, Dalí requested a baby elephant, which was flown to him in Europe on Air India.”
By featuring works from celebrated Indian artists, Sanhita is sure to deliver a rich and dynamic curation that foregrounds distinguished artistic voices of contemporary India. NGMA Bangalore’s aviation-themed artworks are designed to underscore not only the classical traditions that have historically shaped India’s artistic identity but also the contemporary innovations that are challenging norms and reinterpreting what it signifies to be an Indian artist today.
Sanhita is undoubtedly a landmark occasion in the ongoing conversation between India’s heritage, culture, Modern Indian art and aviation history.
Courtesy – NGMA
Subarna Patro on Rare Artefacts from Air India Archives
Subarna Patro speaks on the exhibition, “We have caricatures by Mario Miranda, depicting the airline’s inception and special gatherings, along with an Avinash Godbole painting of Air India’s mascot, the Maharajah. Souvenirs, including miniatures of Air India planes, are also on display. Prabha even designed the window panels for long-haul Boeing 747 flights, primarily featuring floral motifs,” he adds.
Image Courtesy – Media India Group
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