Shailja's Art Gallery

24/04/2026

Artist 17 / 23

A journey shaped by persistence and evolving expression—Pandurang Tathe brings over three decades of engagement with contemporary Indian art.
Based in Pune, his practice reflects a deep commitment to painting, alongside a long-standing role as an educator shaping future artists. His work moves through layered visual languages, developed through years of exploration, exhibition, and dialogue within the art community.
With numerous solo shows at prominent galleries and participation in major national and international exhibitions—including biennales and curated showcases—his artistic presence continues to expand across contexts and geographies.
Recognised with multiple awards, including the State Art Award by the Government of Maharashtra, his work stands as a testament to sustained dedication and creative evolution.

Presented by Shailja Art Gallery
📍 Bikaner House
🗓 09 May – 14 May

Keep watching as we reveal the artists behind The Contemporary Lore.

23/04/2026

The Contemporary Lore
Presented by Shailja Art Gallery, we’re delighted to invite you to a compelling new exhibition that brings together diverse artistic voices from across India.
📍 Bikaner House
🗓 09 May – 14 May 2026
This exhibition unfolds as a rich narrative—blending tradition, experimentation, and evolving contemporary practices through the works of 23 artists.
From celebrated senior masters to powerful mid-career voices and distinctive regional talents, The Contemporary Lore captures a layered story of Indian art today—its roots, its shifts, and its future directions.

22/04/2026

Artist 16 / 23
A study of emotion through form—Nilisha Jagdish Phad brings a refined sensitivity to portraiture and figurative realism.
Trained at the Sir J. J. School of Art, her work reflects a strong academic foundation, translated into a contemporary visual language. Through oil and pastel, she captures subtle expressions, quiet moments, and the inner worlds of her subjects with remarkable depth.
Her paintings are defined by delicate handling of light, texture, and detail—where each face becomes a space of introspection. Themes of identity, solitude, and human connection unfold gently, inviting the viewer into an intimate dialogue.
Recognised with numerous national and international awards and supported by prestigious grants, her practice stands as a compelling voice within the new generation of Indian figurative artists.

Presented by Shailja Art Gallery
📍 Bikaner House

🗓 09 May – 14 May

Experience the evolving language of The Contemporary Lore.

21/04/2026

Artist 15/ 23
A visual language shaped by simplicity and strength—Mukesh Bijole draws deeply from the spirit of tribal life and folk traditions.
His work embraces a minimalist approach, often reminiscent of cave art, where bold lines and primitive forms come together to narrate stories of everyday life. Through simplified figures and rhythmic compositions, he captures the resilience, energy, and integrity of tribal communities.
Vivid hues—blues, greens, and reds—define his palette, often set against striking single-colour backgrounds that amplify the visual impact. His paintings celebrate not just form, but the essence of a way of life—quiet, grounded, and deeply connected to culture.
Each canvas becomes a tribute to simplicity—where raw expression meets cultural memory.

Presented by Shailja Art Gallery

📍 Bikaner House

🗓 09 May – 14 May
One narrative, many artists—discover The Contemporary Lore.

20/04/2026

Artist 14 / 23

Tradition reimagined through a contemporary lens—Meenakshi Jha Banerjee brings the essence of Mithila art into a modern visual language.
With over two decades of dedicated practice, her work draws from the intricate vocabulary of folk traditions, transforming them through experimentation and personal expression. Rooted in the cultural fabric of Bihar, her paintings weave together emotion, symbolism, and detail—where heritage meets present-day narratives.
Her distinctive style evolves from the simplicity of traditional forms into layered compositions that reflect both identity and innovation. Each work carries a sense of continuity—honouring tradition while reshaping it for contemporary discourse.
With numerous solo and group exhibitions across India and internationally, her practice continues to celebrate the enduring relevance of indigenous art forms in today’s context.

Presented by Shailja Art Gallery
📍 Bikaner House
🗓 09 May – 14 May

The journey continues with another artist from The Contemporary Lore.

20/04/2026

Artist 13 / 23

Where colour, texture, and emotion converge—Milan Das creates works that reflect the ever-changing moods of nature and human experience.
His practice moves fluidly between figurative and abstract forms, drawing from memory, imagination, and observation. Through layered surfaces and nuanced tones, his paintings capture fleeting atmospheres—where nostalgia, movement, and emotion quietly unfold.
Working in mixed media, he incorporates diverse materials such as handmade papers and rich acrylic textures, giving his canvases a tactile depth that enhances their expressive quality.
His compositions often explore the parallels between nature and human relationships, revealing a delicate balance between inner emotion and the external world.
With a long-standing presence in national and international exhibitions, his work continues to evolve as a dialogue between material, mood, and meaning.
Presented by Shailja Art Gallery

📍 Bikaner House

🗓 09 May – 14 May

Follow along as we bring each artist from The Contemporary Lore into focus.

18/04/2026

Artist 12 / 23

Form, force, and feeling converge in the sculptural world of Manoj Aggarwal, where bronze becomes a medium to reflect the complexities of urban life.
Working from his studio in Delhi NCR, his sculptures draw from the legacy of Indian stone and bronze traditions while engaging with contemporary realities. His voluminous, exaggerated forms—both male and female—capture moments of labour, resilience, and quiet introspection.
From figures burdened by the weight of the city to those paused in contemplation, his work moves between physical effort and emotional depth. Pieces like Blind Race subtly critique the directionless urgency of modern life, while others evoke stillness, grace, and inner reflection.
Layered within his practice are references to the sacred and the symbolic—where human experience meets divinity, and everyday struggles are elevated into powerful visual metaphors.
Rooted in craftsmanship and guided by a deep empathy for the human condition, his sculptures stand as both personal expression and social reflection.

Presented by Shailja Art Gallery

📍 Bikaner House

🗓 09 May – 14 May

Step into a new artistic voice from The Contemporary Lore.

17/04/2026

Artist 11 / 23

An exploration of abstraction at its most expressive—Hemraj shapes visual experiences that move beyond form into pure sensation.
Trained at the College of Art, New Delhi, his practice is rooted in a deep understanding of painting, evolving into a distinctive abstract language. His works unfold through colour, movement, and layered compositions—inviting interpretation rather than offering fixed narratives.
With exhibitions across India and internationally, including showcases in the United States and Germany, his presence reflects a dialogue between Indian abstraction and the global art landscape.
A recipient of the prestigious National Award from Lalit Kala Akademi, his work stands as a significant contribution to contemporary Indian abstraction—marked by both intensity and restraint.

Presented by Shailja Art Gallery
📍 Bikaner House
🗓 09 May – 14 May

Continue the journey as we introduce the artists of The Contemporary Lore.

16/04/2026

Artist 10 / 23
A lifetime dedicated to the language of art—Jai Krishna Agarwal stands as a significant figure in Indian modern art and art education.
A former Principal and Dean at the College of Arts & Crafts, Lucknow, his practice spans decades of exploration across printmaking and beyond. Trained in India and further refined at the Slade School of Fine Art, London, his work reflects both technical mastery and a deep engagement with evolving artistic mediums.
With participation in major national and international exhibitions since the 1960s, and honours including the National Award from Lalit Kala Akademi and the Yash Bharti Samman, his contribution to the art world is both profound and far-reaching.
His works, held in important collections across India and abroad, continue to reflect a spirit of inquiry—now extending into new materials and creative possibilities.
Presented by Shailja Art Gallery
📍 Bikaner House
🗓 09 May – 14 May
Witness the many narratives shaping The Contemporary Lore.

15/04/2026

Celebrating World Art Day with a story that hits close to home. 🎨✨

Resilience isn't always a loud battle. Sometimes, it’s just turning on the lights in an empty gallery for three months and waiting for the silence to speak.

In the middle of the 2021 lockdown, I learned that art isn't just about what ends up on the canvas—it's about how the act of making changes you. From teaching children online to seeing a corporate room at Amul transform through color, I’ve seen the same truth: You don’t have to be an artist to benefit from creating. Whether you’re an overwhelmed parent, a professional, or a student—just be willing to begin. In a stressful world, that small act of making is power.

📖 Read the full article here: readintersections.com/how-art-turns-stress-into-strength/

🏛️ Save the Date: We are bringing these stories and more to life at our upcoming exhibition:

THE CONTEMPORARY LORE
Presented by Shailja Art Gallery

📍 Bikaner House, Delhi

📅 09 May – 14 May, 2026

15/04/2026

How art can help reduce stress, improve emotional resilience, and create recovery in daily life and work. Article by Shailja Jain, Founder Shailja Art Gallery on her personal journey and insights.

15/04/2026

My article is published on teh website -

How art can help reduce stress, improve emotional resilience, and create recovery in daily life and work. Article by Shailja Jain, Founder Shailja Art Gallery on her personal journey and insights.