The Hon'ble President of India Smt. Droupadi Murmu presented awards at the 65th National Exhibition of Art and 3rd Print Biennale India 2026 ceremony organized by Lalit Kala Akademi under the Ministry of Culture. The event was attended by Union Minister of Culture and Tourism Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat and Secretary Shri Vivek Aggarwal, along with senior officials and artists.
The 65th National Exhibition of Art received 6,175 artworks from 2,495 artists representing 27 States and Union Territories, with 270 artworks selected for exhibition and 20 artists chosen for awards. The Minister highlighted the integration of artwork sales into the program as a step toward expanding opportunities for artists and strengthening India's creative economy.
The Ministry of Culture announced the India Biennale 2026, scheduled from December 4, 2026, to March 21, 2027, which will be held across monuments and heritage sites in Delhi. This initiative aims to provide a platform for artistic expression, promote creative exchange, and enhance public engagement with art and heritage.
President Murmu emphasized the importance of preserving traditional art forms and highlighted printmaking as a significant tradition of artistic expression. The event reaffirmed the commitment to preserving India's diverse artistic traditions while encouraging contemporary creativity and wider recognition for artists.