The session is part of the Foundation Project implemented by IFA under its Archives and Museums programme with Zapurza Museum of Art and Culture, coordinated by Kohinoor Darda, cognitive neuroscientist, neuro-aesthetician, performing artist, and founder of ARISA Foundation. The project examines Pune’s artistic legacy through exhibitions, research, and public programmes.

Highlights from the discussion

“Artists often work in pockets, but to bring them together and create synergy, we need spaces like this museum,” observed Shilpa Joglekar, highlighting the importance of community in Pune’s art world. The discussion also situated women’s work within the broader legacy of the city — while Pune has long been celebrated for its contributions to literary arts and theatre, the voices and practices of visual artists have remained underrepresented. This panel sought to redress that imbalance by foregrounding women’s contributions.

The panel also debated the role of social media in shaping art viewership. While acknowledging its reach, the artists cautioned against its superficiality.

 “Social media allows you to put your process out there, but it can also trivialise the artwork. Looking at art requires time, attention, and presence,” said Gayatri Tambe Deshpande.
 “Many viewers today see exhibitions as colourful backdrops for Instagram reels, without really engaging with the work,” added Vaishali Oak.

The conversation expanded to accessibility in the arts, underlining the need to take art beyond galleries.
 “The white cube can feel alienating. Bringing art into public spaces makes it accessible to everyone, creating a new visual culture,” noted Shilpa Joglekar.

The panel concluded with reflections on technology and tradition. The artists agreed that while tools like AI can support artistic processes, they cannot replace the role of the artist.
 “AI is just another medium. It can save time and offer possibilities, but art still comes from lived experience and human connection,” said Gayatri Tambe Deshpande.

The discussion took place alongside the exhibition Pune’s Artistic Legacy Part 3: Women Artists of Pune, on view at Zapurza Museum of Art and Culture until 10 September 2025. The exhibition features ceramics, textiles, paintings, illustrations, and more — led by themes of memory, nature, material, and movement — and invites audiences to read the city’s art history through women’s practices.

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Situated on a 50-acre campus near the Pale Caves in Maharashtra, Abhay Prabhavana reimagines the very idea of a traditional museum. It is among the largest private museums in the world, yet its significance lies not in its scale, but in its core. Every element across its 3.5 lakh square feet premises has been curated to celebrate India’s civilizational wisdom, right from the timeless principles of ethics, education, enterprise, non-violence, compassion, and spiritual inquiry.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Abhay Firodia, industrialist and founder of the museum, and Chairman of the Amar Prerana Trust, said, “India’s greatest heritage is the power of its values. We aimed to build a space where these values are experienced in all their depth, not simply observed. Abhay Prabhavana is a place where knowledge, aesthetics, and spirit come together to offer inspiration for generations to come.”

Thirty immersive galleries form the core of the museum’s narrative journey. Each gallery is a dialogue: through sculptures, dioramas, digital installations, and storytelling that invites visitors to engage with India’s philosophical legacy. Concepts such as self-restraint, plurality, letting go, and inner awakening are presented through engaging experiences, encouraging reflection and inquiry. Interactive technologies, ambient sound, and subtle scenography are employed with restraint and intelligence, ensuring that the medium never overwhelms the message.

Beyond its galleries, Abhay Prabhavana’s architectural and symbolic elements offer equally profound experiences. The Manastambh, a 100-foot pillar, depicts the stages of spiritual evolution. On the other hand, the awe-inspiring 43-foot sculpture of Rishabhdev, the first of the 24 Tirthankaras, whose vision of order, discipline, and civilisation laid the foundations of Indian values and thought, represents a sense of calm like no other. The Plaza of Equanimity, a contemplative space centred around the Sarvatobhadra statue, anchors the campus in stillness and symmetry.

Abhay Prabhavana means a lot more than a museum for enthusiasts. It is a knowledge centre, with spaces such as the Kundanmal Firodia Auditorium and the Taxila Library, dedicated to scholarship, dialogue, and cultural programs. From lectures and exhibitions to research and learning initiatives, the museum instills a living engagement with India’s intellectual traditions.

As museums across the world grow into something more significant, Abhay Prabhavana leads with clarity. It does not focus on artefacts alone, but on the values and ideals that give them meaning. On this International Museum Day, it stands tall as a beholder of civilizational wisdom, reimagined for the world we live in today.

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Funded by the Gaylord and Dorothy Donnelly Foundation, the Broadening Narratives project seeks to go beyond the portrayal of Indian Americans as a highly educated and successful immigrant group. It will diversify NIAM’s Oral History collection by adding the voices of Indian Americans from a broad range of socio-economic levels, including marginalized and under-represented groups, such as LGBTQ+, retail clerks, gas station attendants, people living in shelters or on government assistance, and the undocumented.

The Consul General spoke of the importance of a community capturing its own story in authentic, first-person voices instead of leaving it solely in the hands of others to interpret the Indian American experience. NIAM Board members explained the process by which interviewees would be sought out and interviewed by well-trained professionals on the project team. Team members including Project Director Padma Rangaswamy, Board member Devalina Law, Exhibition Chair Raja Nadimpalli, and Project Manager Amita Banerji, addressed the audience. NIAM digital archivist Ina Cox and NIAM consultant Peter Alter, Chief Oral Historian at the Chicago History Museum gave the audience a fuller understanding of how to get the most out of the NIAM oral history web pages. The new oral histories will be posted on the NIAM website and made accessible to the widest possible audience, including historians and researchers.

Members of the audience also viewed NIAM’s latest exhibition Desi Roots and Wings, which narrates the little-known history of Indian immigrants to the US from 1620 to World War 1. Among the many individuals whose story is told in the exhibition is revolutionary freedom fighter Har Dayal Mathur (1884 – 1939) who lived in the US and devoted his life to the cause of Indian independence from the British.  His great-granddaughter, Nisha Grover, was one of the featured speakers at the Broadening Narratives event.  She presented a fascinating family story of her great-grandfather, his worldwide travels, and his connection to the homeland.

Desi Roots and Wings is open to the public at 815 S. Main St. in Lombard on Thursdays, Saturdays, and Sundays from Noon to 4 pm. Group tours at other times are available by appointment. Admission is $10, free for children 5 and younger. Free parking is available. 

The National Indo-American builds bridges across generations and connects cultures through the colorful stories of all Indian Americans.

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A virtual meeting was held where Deputy Commissioner of International Affairs Dilip Chauhan introduced and welcomed all the participants. Mr. Nitin Mathuria, representing the Aditya Birla Group (ABG) of companies, presented details about ABG’s global presence and its
commitment to Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives. He then introduced the Eternal Gandhi Project, an ABG initiative focused on establishing museums worldwide to showcase the life and legacy of Mahatma Gandhi. Mr. Mathuria expressed ABG’s strong interest in partnering with NYC to bring a museum to the city.

The NYC representatives, including Commissioner of Cultural Affairs Laurie Cumbo, Deputy Commissioner of Cultural Affairs Alton Murray, Commissioner for International Affairs Edward Mermelstein, and Deputy Commissioner for International Affairs Dilip Chauhan, were
enthusiastic about the proposal. Deputy Commissioner Murray provided valuable insights into the procedures for establishing such a venture in NYC. Commissioner Cumbo expressed her excitement and offered guidance on potential collaborations with other organizations and city agencies. She also extended an invitation to Mr. Mathuria to visit NYC for further discussions and site visits to similar cultural institutions.
Commissioner Mermelstein highlighted successful past projects where NYC played a facilitating role.

Building on this positive momentum, an in-person meeting is now planned for April 2024 between the Gandhian Society, ABG representatives, and NYC officials. This meeting will focus on developing a concrete action plan for establishing the Gandhi Museum in New York City.

The meeting was attended by Bhadra Butala, founder of Gandhian Society, Mahesh Wani, Secretary of Gandhian Society, Brijesh Kachalia, and Sravan Natakala, directors of Gandhian Society.

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“This potential partnership represents a monumental step forward in promoting the values of peace and equality that both Gandhi and King championed,” said Sravan Natakala, Gandhian Society board member. “By showcasing their shared message of nonviolent resistance and social justice, this museum would serve as a beacon of inspiration for generations to come.“

The proposed museum would be a first-of-its-kind institution, offering a unique platform for education, dialogue, and action. It would delve into the remarkable lives of Gandhi and King, highlighting their unwavering commitment to justice and their transformative impact on the world stage.

“We are honored by the City’s enthusiastic support for this important initiative,” said Bhadra Butala, founder of the Gandhian Society. “A permanent museum in New York City would not only celebrate the legacies of Gandhi and King but also inspire future generations to embrace their principles and strive for a more just and peaceful world.”

Both the Gandhian Society and New York City officials are committed to moving forward with this ambitious project. A follow-up meeting is scheduled to finalize the details of the collaboration and set the stage for the museum’s development.

The Gandhian Society is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting the principles of Mahatma Gandhi in the United States. Through education, dialogue, and community service, the Society fosters understanding and appreciation for Gandhi’s message of nonviolence, truth, and social justice.

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