Here’s Everything You Need to Know About Art at the 18th Jaipur Literature Festival

Jaipur – The eagerly awaited 2025 edition of the Jaipur Literature Festival will unfold from January 30 to February 3 at Hotel Clarks Amer in Jaipur. Renowned as the world’s grandest celebration of books and ideas, this festival is a vibrant hub for creativity, with art as one of its cornerstone attractions. Art and Economics: […]

ST Correspondent

Sat, 18 Jan 2025 04:18 PM (IST)

Jaipur – The eagerly awaited 2025 edition of the Jaipur Literature Festival will unfold from January 30 to February 3 at Hotel Clarks Amer in Jaipur. Renowned as the world’s grandest celebration of books and ideas, this festival is a vibrant hub for creativity, with art as one of its cornerstone attractions.

Art and Economics: Policies and Innovation

In a compelling session titled The Economics of Art: Policy, Innovation, and Inclusion, global luminaries will discuss the intersection of governance, funding, and sustainable creative economies. Esteemed speakers include:

H.E. Noura bint Mohammed Al Kaabi, UAE Minister of State
Scott McDonald, CEO, British Council
Gary Tinterow, Director, Museum of Fine Arts, Houston
Max Hollein, CEO, Metropolitan Museum of Art

Moderated by Sanjoy K. Roy, Festival Producer and Managing Director of Teamwork Arts, this session will explore cultural innovation, public diplomacy, and preservation, with a particular focus on India.

Exploring Historic Art

The murals of the Ajanta Caves will take center stage in The Ajanta Caves: Ancient Buddhist Painting, where art historian Benoy K. Behl and Festival Co-Director William Dalrymple will delve into the global significance of these ancient masterpieces.

Pulitzer Prize-winning author Benjamin Moser will lead two insightful discussions on Dutch art and culture. In The Upside-Down World: Meetings with the Dutch Masters, Moser and art historian Gary Tinterow will explore Dutch artistic history. Another session, It’s Dutch to Me, presented in collaboration with the Embassy of the Netherlands, will feature Moser and Iranian-Dutch author Kader Abdolah, focusing on the enduring legacy of Dutch art and language.

Book Launches on Art

The festival will host the launch of two art-centric books:

Devi and Her Avataras, with authors Alka Pande, Bulbul Sharma, and Vayu Naidu in conversation with Malashri Lal, exploring the feminine as a creative force in Indian mythology and art.
The Third Eye of Indian Art by Harsha Dehejia, discussing the spiritual dimensions of Indian art.

Both launches promise a rich dialogue with experts like Benoy K. Behl.

Celebrating Indigenous Art

The Ojas Art Award will spotlight books such as:

Hymns of Medhini by graphic novelist and artist Abhishek Singh.
Another Master: Ram Singh Urveti, celebrating the Gond artist’s contributions to indigenous art.

Jaipur-based miniature artists Vinita Sharma and Ajay Sharma will receive the Ojas Art Award 2025, while Ram Singh Urveti, the Artist in Residence, will unveil a commissioned 8×12-foot painting and create live artwork during the festival.

Captivating Installations and Photography

Artist Veer Munshi will present a thought-provoking installation inspired by Kashmir’s papier-mâché and kalamkari motifs, while celebrated photographer Vicky Roy will showcase over 20 images from his series Ability in Disability, highlighting stories of resilience among individuals with disabilities.

Youthful Innovation

In collaboration with the Maharaja Sawai Man Singh II Trust, the festival will feature innovative artworks by students and art groups from Rajasthan, reimagining the state’s cultural and monumental heritage.

A Celebration of Art and Ideas

Anubhav Nath, Art Advisor for the festival, emphasized the event’s commitment to amplifying indigenous voices and artistic innovation:
“The Jaipur Literature Festival has always celebrated the intersection of art, literature, and ideas. This year, we’re excited to present a range of visual experiences that celebrate creativity in all its forms.”

Reflecting on the festival’s legacy, Sanjoy Roy shared:
“The Jaipur Literature Festival believes in the transformative power of art. By connecting diverse art forms with ideas and literature, we aim to foster a deeper appreciation of creativity.”