Naayaab – the inaugural edition of the exhibition of 100+ exclusive masterpieces of 40+ traditional artforms crafted by 70+ Maestros curated from all over India will be held in Hyderabad on 5th and 6th September at Taj Krishna
For the first time ever, Naayaab, from the house of Craft Maestros, a startup hub in handicraft sector 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 25th and August 26th at Taj Mahal, Man Singh Road, followed by the Hyderabad edition on 5th and 6th September at Taj Krishna. The travelling exhibition will conclude in Mumbai where it is scheduled to take place on September 13th to 14th, 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 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, shares 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 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.
“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” states Ajay A Singh, Founder Director, Naayaab.
