Needhi Gattani
Over the weekend, the cultural landscape of Hyderabad was enriched with a spectacular showcase of Indian art as the travelling exhibition ‘On the Go’ made its city debut at Taj Krishna. Curated by Gitanjali Maini — Founder & Managing Director of Gallery G and Managing Trustee of the Raja Ravi Varma Heritage Foundation — the exhibition marked a pivotal moment for art lovers in the city, blending the classical with the contemporary in an ambitious, mobile format.
Aimed at breaking geographical boundaries, ‘On the Go’ is Gallery G’s latest initiative to bring museum-quality exhibitions directly to audiences across key cultural cities in South India. Known for its meticulous curation and dedication to Indian art’s multifaceted history, Gallery G’s travelling exhibition delivers an experience that is as immersive as it is inclusive — city by city, story by story.
Hyderabad, with its rich artistic legacy and architectural elegance, served as the perfect canvas for this edition. The showcase presented a diverse mix of eras and disciplines — connecting early modernism with bold contemporary expressions. From rare traditional works to experimental contemporary pieces, the exhibition offered a sweeping exploration of Indian visual culture through the decades.
The curated line-up featured an impressive array of artists, both celebrated and emerging. Audiences were treated to works by Ganapathy Hegde, Bharati Prajapati, Sangeeta Baid, Jai Khanna, Avinash Veeraraghavan, Leon, Bhiva Punekar and Rabin Dutta. Adding to the regional pride, Telangana-based artists such as Srinivasulu, Surya Prakash, and Redappa Naidu were also prominently showcased, further grounding the exhibition in local context.
Art aficionados were also drawn to works by India’s modern masters, including M. F. Husain, Yusuf Arakkal, V. S. Gaitonde and S. M. Pandit. The inclusion of traditional Tanjore and Mysore paintings, Vishnavite icons, and rare sculptures such as the Bhagavati of Kerala brought a sense of sacred heritage into dialogue with modern aesthetics. An especially remarkable inclusion was an intricately crafted silver-filigree furniture piece — a testament to the country’s rich craft traditions.
Among the standout pieces of the exhibit was “The Descent of Ganga” by S. M. Pandit — a monumental work acquired directly from the artist’s family. Renowned for his mythological and calendar-style art, Pandit’s large-format canvas stood as a rare and powerful deviation from his known oeuvre, capturing viewers with its scale, emotion and mythic storytelling.
However, ‘On the Go’ was more than just an exhibition — it was a cultural experience designed to inspire deeper engagement with art. A key highlight of the Hyderabad edition was a special session titled “Art as History”, featuring acclaimed historian and author Manu S. Pillai. In a conversation tailored for collectors and enthusiasts, Pillai delved into the intersections of history, culture and visual expression, bringing fresh perspectives to India’s layered artistic traditions.
In essence, ‘On the Go’ is not just about displaying art — it’s about democratizing it. By stepping outside the confines of traditional gallery spaces, it aims to make art more accessible, relevant and resonant with contemporary audiences. It is a movement that celebrates India’s vast artistic heritage, nurtures new voices, and bridges generations through thoughtful curation and cultural storytelling.
