Union Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat Inaugurates Exhibition of Shivaji Maharaj Paintings

New Delhi: The Union Minister of Culture, Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, today attended an exhibition showcasing 115 oil paintings of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. Organized by the Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA) and the National Gallery of Modern Art (NGMA), the exhibition commemorates the 350th anniversary of Shivaji Maharaj’s coronation. Over the past 15 days, the exhibition has attracted numerous art lovers, particularly the youth.

During his visit, Minister Shekhawat remarked, “Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj is a great icon of our country and has been a source of inspiration for all of us for centuries. This historical exhibition, based on his life, allows us to learn and understand a lot about his life.” He further emphasized that the collection is a priceless heritage of the nation.

The exhibited paintings were crafted by Shrikant Choughule and his son Gautam Choughule, under the guidance of the esteemed Padma Vibhushan Babasaheb Purandare. Recently, the collector of these paintings, Shri Deepak Gore, inspired by the Prime Minister’s vision, has donated this collection to IGNCA as a heritage asset.

In addition to viewing the exhibition, the Minister of Culture announced that the Ministry plans to establish a permanent gallery for these paintings. The ministry also aims to take the exhibition to various locations across the country, allowing a broader audience to experience this rich historical narrative.