Royal families of the Gaekwads of Baroda are art aficionados

The royal families of the Gaekwads of Baroda have for long been avid art aficionados.

Now, Princess Asha Raje Gaekwad and her daughter-in-law Praggyashree of the family are planning to set up art spaces in Mumbai and in Kathmandu, Nepal.

Princess Asha says, “We are looking for a big space in Navi Mumbai. The aim is to exhibit artworks of both senior and young artists. But there will be a permanent place in the gallery to exhibit some of the finest works of senior artists so that young artists learn from them.”

Princess Asha and Praggyashree both hail from the royal family of Nepal. And hence their first art project was to promote art from Nepal in India. Praggyashree says, “We have been selecting artists from Nepal over the last three years. Now, we
are showing their works in India.”

After this, they would exhibit a few wood carvings of Nepal at a show in Delhi. Princess Asha says, “We want to provide a boost to the traditional art and craft of Nepal. So we are planning to show the Nepali Pohara art.”

Praggyashree adds, “The Mithila art that is said to be from Bihar originates from Nepal. So we want to show Nepal’s rich heritage to the world.”

At the same time they are also planning to show works of artists from Maharasthra and Baroda in Nepal.  The exhibition of the Nepali art will be on at the India Fine Art Centre, Tardeo, till February 27.