Union Minister of Culture and Tourism, Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, unveiled details about the auction today at the National Gallery of Modern Art, New Delhi. He highlighted that this exceptional collection showcases India’s rich cultural, spiritual, historical, and political heritage. With over 600 items up for bid, the auction will be accessible to the public online. Interested individuals can register and participate through the official website:
A significant portion of the auction honors India’s courageous warriors and freedom fighters, celebrating our nation’s illustrious history. Notably, the auction will feature sports memorabilia from the 2024 Paralympic Games.
This event marks the sixth installment in a series of successful auctions of Prime Minister mementos, first initiated in January 2019. Previous auctions have collectively raised over 50 crores. As with earlier editions, the proceeds from this auction will support the Namami Gange Project, a key initiative aimed at the conservation and restoration of the Ganga River and its ecosystem. The Minister urged public participation, emphasizing that the auction supports a noble cause and public welfare.
The auction will offer a diverse range of traditional art forms, including vibrant paintings, intricate sculptures, indigenous handicrafts, and captivating folk and tribal artifacts. Among the items are traditional gifts such as angavastras, shawls, headgear, and ceremonial swords.
A highlight of the collection is a series of religious artifacts, including meticulously crafted temple models like the Shri Ram Mandir in Ayodhya and Shree Dwarkadhish in Dwarka, as well as stunning statues of Hindu deities, adding a spiritual element to the exhibition.
Also featured are distinguished works of art such as Pichwai paintings, Khadi shawls, Silver Filigree, Mata Ni Pachedi Art, Gond Art, and Madhubani Art, reflecting India’s diverse cultural heritage.
In a related event, Union Minister Shekhawat inaugurated a special sand art demonstration by acclaimed sand artist and Padma Shri awardee, Shri Sudarsan Pattnaik, at the National Gallery of Modern Art. This installation, created for Vishwakarma Diwas and the Prime Minister’s birthday, includes a sand sculpture surrounded by 2,000 earthen lamps (diyas). It celebrates Vishwakarma and embodies the theme of “Viksit Bharat” (Developed India), showcasing Pattnaik’s exquisite craftsmanship and the cultural and spiritual ethos of a “Viksit Bharat.”
