Aakriti Art Gallery Unveils Unique Artistic Trophy at RWITC’s Indian Racing Carnival 2025

Sculptor Akhil Chandra Das creates original bronze trophy to be awarded to race winner

Mumbai | April 1, 2025:

In a landmark moment that blends the worlds of contemporary art and equestrian sport, Aakriti Art Gallery, in association with Chisel Crafts Pvt. Ltd., is proud to present an original bronze sculpture by Akhil Chandra Das as the winner’s trophy for the Aakriti Art Gallery Million—a featured race at the Indian Racing Carnival hosted by the Royal Western India Turf Club (RWITC) on Saturday, April 5, 2025.

This marks the first time in RWITC’s history that a winning horse will be awarded a bespoke, artist-created sculpture, ushering in a new era of art-meets-sport innovation. The initiative reinforces Aakriti Art Gallery’s longstanding commitment to promoting Indian contemporary art beyond conventional platforms.

Speaking on the collaboration, Vikram Bachhawat, Director of Aakriti Art Gallery, said:

“We’ve always believed that art has the power to transcend its usual spaces. By presenting an original sculpture as a trophy, we celebrate not just victory on the turf, but the spirit of creativity, endurance, and cultural richness that both art and racing share.”

The trophy, conceived and executed by acclaimed sculptor Akhil Chandra Das, features a striking bronze figure bearing a radiant disc—symbolizing strength, triumph, and resilience. The work exemplifies Das’s mastery of material and metaphor, making the trophy not just a symbol of success, but a collectible work of fine art.

This initiative follows earlier efforts by the Bachhawat Foundation to integrate art into equestrian events, notably the much-lauded “Art Race Day” at the Royal Calcutta Turf Club in 2014 and 2017. With the Indian Racing Carnival drawing top owners, jockeys, and horses from across the country, the inclusion of a sculptural trophy adds a distinctive cultural dimension to the weekend’s celebrations.

About Aakriti Art Gallery

Established in 2005, Aakriti Art Gallery is one of India’s leading spaces for contemporary and modern Indian art. With a strong curatorial vision and an inclusive platform for established and emerging artists, the gallery is committed to fostering meaningful engagement with visual culture across India and beyond.

"COMPANION” Solo Show of Paintings by renowned artist Prof. Sunil Tambe

 From: 1st to 7th April 2025

"COMPANION”

Solo Show of Paintings by renowned artist Prof. Sunil Tambe

VENUE: Jehangir Art Gallery,161-B, M.G. Road, Kala Ghoda, Mumbai 400 001, Timing: 11am to7pm.

Contact: +91 9422707842 / +91 7972 838464

 

Renowned Artist Prof. Sunil Tambe’s Solo Art Exhibition at Jehangir Art Gallery, Mumbai

A solo exhibition by renowned artist Prof. Sunil Tambe, Principal of S.S.V.P.S. School of Art, Dhule, has been organized at the prestigious Jehangir Art Gallery, Mumbai, from April 1 to April 7, 2025. This exhibition is based on the theme “Saathidar: Timeless Spiritual Longing, the Modern Woman, and Devotion.”

Artist: Sunil Tambe

The exhibition explores the idea that Krishna is not just the ultimate goal of our spiritual journey—he is also our eternal companion. When one is immersed in devotion, an unbreakable attraction towards him arises. The soul longs to see him, to be near him, and to merge into his divine embrace. However, Krishna is not easily perceived by our physical senses; he is entirely spiritual, while our minds remain entangled in worldly attachments. Only through genuine devotion can we transcend to a higher spiritual state and experience his divine presence.

This idea is beautifully expressed in the Bhagavad Gita

(Chapter 18, Verse 61):“Ishvarah Sarvabhutanam Hriddeshe Arjuna Tishthati |

Bhramayan Sarvabhutani Yantrarudhani Mayaya ||”

“The Supreme Lord resides in the hearts of all beings, O Arjuna, and directs their wanderings according to their past karma, as if they were mounted on a machine made of material energy.”

Krishna is never far from us; he resides within our hearts, guiding us, waiting for us to turn towards him with devotion and surrender.

From Meera Bai to modern women, the eternal longing for Krishna has remained unchanged. The devotion that once illuminated Meera Bai’s heart still flows in the hearts of young women today. Krishna’s love is beyond the boundaries of time, and so is the longing for him.

Through his paintings, Prof. Tambe has beautifully expressed this eternal devotion. His artworks illustrate that just as Meera Bai was completely immersed in Krishna’s devotion, the modern woman too experiences the same spiritual longing today. The emotions in her eyes, the devotion that permeates her entire being—these paintings are not mere visual representations but profound spiritual experiences brought to life through art.

 From: 1st to 7th April 2025

"COMPANION”

Solo Show of Paintings by renowned artist Prof. Sunil Tambe

VENUE: Jehangir Art Gallery,161-B, M.G. Road, Kala Ghoda, Mumbai 400 001, Timing: 11am to7pm.

Contact: +91 9422707842 / +91 7972 838464

“DIVINE TEXTURE OF CULTURE” Solo Show of Sculpture by Kiran Shigvan in Jehangir

 Kiran Shigvan had his art education upto G.D. Art (Sculpture & Modelling) at Sahyadri School of Art, Sawarde. Then he showcased his innovative work in many art exhibitions in the leading art galleries at Mumbai like Jehangir Art Gallery, Nehru Centre Art Gallery, Worli, Mumbai etc. He actively participated in the Art Camps at Jaipur in National sculpture workshop and stone caring at Sanjivani University, Kolhapur. He has also given his demonstration at Maharashtra State Art Teachers Federation. He is a proud recipient of many prestigious awards given by reputed art promotional institutions of national reputation like Bombay Art Society, Sahyadri School of Art, Art Society of India etc. His work has been appreciated by the present art fraternity and is in proud collection of several art collectors in India and abroad. 

Artist: Kiran Shigvan

Kiran Shigvan has been obsessed with clay modelling and sculpture work since his childhood. He used to visit the nearby workshops in Kolkata to keenly observe the creation of Ganpati idols and other spiritual statues / idols. Later on he took interest in artistic use of other materials like Bronze, Stone, FRP and mix medium etc to aesthetically adorn his work with the desired textures of Divine Culture and their peculiarities.

The present series incorporates his creative and innovative sculpture on bulls, horses, spiritual icons, idols etc in Bronze & FRP. The special features of his work are the superb finesse and textural finish for the creative endeavors in his unique creative style. They transcend form and materials in addition to very essence of human experience. Using both traditional techniques and contemporary sensibilities he has created these sculptures which duly explore the delicate balance between nature, culture and identity in apt perspectives. These innovative works are not only captivating, eye catching and lucid but also eloquent and creative in their own way. These in turn, share a dialogue with the viewers and onlookers leading to their warm response and due appreciations. His thoughtful and superb innovations soon leave their indelible impact on all leading to their applauds and positive response.

Recent sculptures made by a well-known sculptor, Kiran Shigvan will be showcased in a solo art exhibition at Jehangir Art Gallery, M.G. Road, Kala Ghoda, Mumbai 400 001 from 25^th to 31^st March 2025 between 11am to 7pm.

It will illustrate the subtle nuances of the Divine Texture of Culture in his recent Innovative sculptures made using bronze and FRP.

This exhibition will be inaugurated on 25^th March 2025 at 5.30pm 

by Hon. Prof. Prakash Arjun Rajeshirke, Chairman Sahyadri School of Art, Sawarde.

 From: 25^th to 31^st March 2025

“DIVINE TEXTURE OF CULTURE”

An Exhibition of Sculptures

By well-known sculptor Kiran Shigvan

 

VENUE:

Jehangir Art Gallery

161-B, M.G. Road

Kala Ghoda, Mumbai – 400001

Timing: 11am to 7pm

Contact: +91 9167907095 / +91 7710868631