64th National Exhibition of Art: A celebration of excellence in contemporary Indian art

The 64th National Exhibition of Art, a celebration of excellence in contemporary Indian art, organised by the Lalit Kala Akademi, was inaugurated on August 5, 2025, at Rabindra Bhawan, New Delhi. The event was graced by Minister of Culture & Tourism, Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, along with distinguished dignitaries from the Ministry of Culture.

Among the selected artists, Aashima Mehrotra, a visual artist and also an Indian Railway Traffic Officer, has achieved a remarkable milestone by becoming the first-ever Railway officer whose work, ‘Laapata Ladies’, was selected and is now featured in this prestigious national exhibition. Aashima, an officer who is presently posted as Executive Director/ Heritage in Railway Board, has seamlessly integrated her professional dedication with a profound artistic journey, creating works that resonate with spiritual depth, cosmic duality and Indian aesthetics.

Her selection underscores the Akademi’s vision of recognising diverse voices and talents from all walks of life, fostering a space where passion and creativity transcend professional identities. The exhibition showcases a rich tapestry of visual narratives, reflecting India’s evolving artistic landscape. Her journey as an artist is inspiring as her work has not only been recognised at the national but also international level by jurors of MoMA and the New York Federation of Arts and ICCR and Embassies.

The exhibition will remain open for public viewing till September 15, 2025, at Lalit Kala Akademi Galleries, Rabindra Bhavan, New Delhi.