The Kian Foundation will present Shakti: The Art of Resilience, an exhibition highlighting the strength, courage, and creativity of women connected to India’s defence community. The show will be held at the Living Tradition Centre, Bikaner House, New Delhi, from October 24 to 29.
Conceptualised by Siddhartha and Aarti Naik, the exhibition brings together painting, sculpture, photography, and mixed media to portray the lives of wives, mothers, and daughters in the armed forces. After editions in Pune and Goa, this marks the first time Shakti will be held in the capital.
During the exhibition, Kian Foundation will formalise a partnership with the Army Wives Welfare Association (AWWA). Net proceeds from the show, after covering artists’ fees and operational costs, will support war widows, women living with disabled or amputee ex-servicemen, and women from defence families pursuing education or professional goals.
Artists featured in the exhibition include Subodh Kerkar, Sudharak Olwe, Vijender Sharma, Nilesh Vede, Niranjan Jonnalagadda, Prakash Bal Joshi, Milind Mulick, the late Pratap Mulick, Shampa Sircar Das, Vipta Kapadia, Meera George, Vivek Nimbolkar, Ajit Deswandikar, Nilisha Phad, Ketaki Pimpalkhare, Dinkar Jadhav, Shrikant Kadam, Satyajeet Varekar, Rashmi Khurana, and Sukesan Kanka.
A photograph by Padma Shri Sudharak Olwe, capturing a Lavani dancer in magenta light, exemplifies the exhibition’s focus on resilience and dignity, portraying women who navigate personal and social challenges with quiet strength.
“Delhi is a significant venue for Shakti,” said Siddhartha Naik of Kian Foundation. “Our collaboration with AWWA aims to provide tangible support for women from defence families.”
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Aarti Naik added, “Through art, we can highlight resilience while creating opportunities for education and professional growth.”
When: October 24 – 29; 11 AM – 7 PM
Where: Living Tradition Centre, Bikaner House, New Delhi
