The inaugural edition of Naayaab, to be held in 3 cities, will have 100+ exclusive Masterpieces of 40+ Traditional Artforms crafted by 70+ Maestros (Padma Shri / National Awardees by President of India) curated from all over India
New Delhi: Naayaab, simply put, is a rare symphony of the greats – from the select and superlative works of traditional Indian art-forms, to the highest awarded master artisans who created them, to the best of art patrons and collectors who can rejoice them – it is the first-ever platform to bring them all together, to celebrate the enduring legacy of Indian craftsmanship.
For the first time ever, Naayaab is showcasing over 100 curated masterpieces created by master artisans who are the recipients of highest awards such as Padma Vibhushan, Padma Shri, Shilp Guru, among others. These intricate works will be travelling to three cities — Delhi, Hyderabad and Mumbai – and exhibited to an audience of art collectors and connoisseurs, by invitation only. The Delhi showcase will
be on August 25 th and August 26 th at Taj Mahal, Man Singh Road, followed by the Hyderabad edition on 4 th and 5 th September at Taj Krishna. The travelling exhibition will conclude in Mumbai where it is scheduled to take place on September 13 th to 14 th , 2024 at Taj Mahal Palace, Colaba.
At each city, the showcase will be for two days with a series of conversations, dialogues and music offering a holistic view around these rare masterpieces. Naayaab, from the house of Craft Maestros, has curated these artworks from artisans across 70+ diverse locations in India and their price points will range from a few lakhs to a few crores.
“The intricate and time-honoured craft forms of India carry a unique allure and elegance that transcends time. Their traditional essence embodies centuries of skill, creativity, and cultural narratives, making them invaluable treasures of artistic heritage.
At Naayaab, our vision is not just to showcase these art forms but to celebrate their timeless beauty and profound significance. By elevating them to the forefront of the global art landscape, we strive to honor their rightful place and secure their enduring legacy for generations.,” Akansha Dixit, Founder & Chief Curator, Naayaab.
Some of the award-winning artisans whose work will be displayed are: Sudarshan Sahoo honoured with Padma Vibhushan in 2021 and Padma Shri in 1988 for stone carving; Jai Prakash Lakhiawal, who received Padma Shri in 2016 for miniature painting; Khaleel Ahmad was the recipient of Padma Shri in 2024 for kilim carpet; Bhil artist Bhuri Bai received Padma Shri in 2021 for her work; ; and Padma Shri recipient Gond artist Durga Bai Vyam, among others.
The long-term aim of Naayaab is to make the showcase a prominent part of annual cultural calendars of India and major world cities, and with that, it hopes to deliver double-engine impact and growth to the artisans and the sector at large. As the core team of Naayaab has been closely working with these artisans for over six years through Craft Maestros, it is aiming to muster new inspirations in the next generations of artisans, and reverse the narrative of these art forms as time-consuming & low-paying works, thereby infusing fresh breath of creativity and excellence.
Calling true patrons of arts and crafts to experience the majestic beauty and richness of traditional Indian artforms – Timeless Artisanal Treasures. “With a legion of Indian art forms, rooted in history and perfected over centuries, looking to find their next watershed moment, Naayaab ventures to bring them into the spotlight where the gifted artisans can envisage a future for their crafts and the aesthetes can find for themselves a piece of this storied beauty, tangible and timeless, just as Naayaab” – Ajay A Singh, Founder Director, Naayaab.
NOTE TO EDITORS
Naayaab
Naayaab, from the house of Craft Maestros, is the first-ever platform for ‘masterpieces of India’ – a showcase of collectible heritage, comprising of award-winning and exquisite objets d’art from traditional Indian arts and crafts, meticulously curated from President of India awarded artisans across the country.
Craft Maestros
Craft Maestros, an award winning start-up in the handicrafts sector, has created a unique hub & spoke model (100+ hubs with 5000+ associated artisans across 17 states of India) for authentic hand crafted works from master artisans of India, while building income channels through digital and corporate gifting modes with highest satisfaction & joy ratings.
