Kala Samvad | Unforgettable Memories | Mumbai Monsoon 2025 | At P. L. Deshpande Maharashtra Kala Academy, Mumbai

Inauguration of Kala Samvad’s Art Exhibition “Unforgettable Memories” and “Mumbai Monsoon”

Mumbai, 7 September 2025 | At P. L. Deshpande Maharashtra Kala Academy, Mumbai

Kala Samvad | Unforgettable Memories | Tribute to Eminent Personalities | India’s first-ever Art exhibition of AI-generated portraits of eminent personalities

The exhibition “Unforgettable Memories” and “Mumbai Monsoon”, organized by Kala Samvad, was inaugurated at P. L. Deshpande Maharashtra Kala Academy, Prabhadevi, Mumbai, by Maharashtra’s Minister of Culture & IT, Adv. Ashish Shelar, and Ambassador of Belarus in Mumbai, H.E. Aliaksandr Matsukou. The exhibition will remain open to the public until 21st September.

This pioneering exhibition features AI-generated portraits of 32 eminent personalities who shaped Mumbai, the nation, and humanity, displayed during the auspicious Pitru Paksha. The portraits honor luminaries including William Hornby (Governor of Bombay), Rajmata Ahilyabai Holkar, Sir Jamsetjee Jejeebhoy, Jagannath Shankar Sheth, Premchand Roychand Jain, Jamsetji Nusserwanji Tata, Raja Ravi Varma, Bal Gangadhar Tilak, Maharshi Dhondo Keshav Karve, Dr. Waldemar Mordecai Haffkine, Rabindranath Tagore, Swami Vivekananda, Dadasaheb Phalke, George Wittet, Vinayak Damodar Savarkar, Jamnalal Bajaj, Acharya Vinoba Bhave, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, Jehangir Ratanji Dadabhoy Tata, Acharya Tulsi, Ramanand Sagar, Purushottam Laxman Deshpande, Pandurang Shastri Athavale, R.K. Laxman, Lata Mangeshkar, Acharya Osho, Ratan Naval Tata, Ravindra Jain, Acharya Shri Vidyasagar Ji Maharaj, Purshottamdas H Purohit, Nanasaheb Dharmadhikari, and Shantilal Lalji Furia.

Family members and representatives honored at the event included Uday Shankarsheth (great-grandson of philanthropist Jagannath Shankarsheth), Usha Laxman (daughter-in-law of cartoonist R. K. Laxman), and Jagdish Purohit (son of freedom fighter Purushottamdas H. Purohit).

In his address, Minister Adv. Ashish Shelar praised the event as “a remarkable blend of culture and technology, aligned with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision.” Ambassador Aliaksandr Matsukou remarked, “Art unites the world, and these AI portraits of great souls will inspire generations.”

Prominent guests present included Mallakhamb Guru Padma Shri Uday Deshpande, Padma Shri Premjit Baria, IAS Nidhi Choudhary, IRS Prashant Patil, former art director Prof. G. G. Waghmare, Kala Ghoda Association Chairperson Brinda Miller, Dr. Uttam V. Jain, Ganpat Kothari, and Kishor Khabia Jain,Prof. Mogglan Shravasti, Rajan Jadhav, Prof. Hemant Samant, who all praised the initiative.

The exhibition uniquely combines tradition and innovation, celebrating Mumbai’s heritage through a blend of art and technology.

The event was curated and coordinated by Rajkumar Sharma (Kala Samvad), art curator Nandoo Sarswati, and Harshit Sharma, with support from Vicky Agrawal, Rajendra Bhonsle, Santosh Aadavlikar, Deepak Bachchav (Patil), Satish Suware (Designer), and Bhagwan Kadam. Stage management was by Creative Kanika, and photography was handled by Mukesh Mehra and Dilip Kagda.

Welcoming Chief Guests Adv. Ashish Shelar (Minister of Information Technology & Cultural Affairs, Government of Maharashtra), by organizer Rajkumar Sharma, curator Nandoo Sarswati, Prof. Hemant Samant, Rajendra Bhonsle.

Chief Guests: Adv. Ashish Shelar (Minister of Information Technology & Cultural Affairs, Government of Maharashtra) and H.E. Aliaksandr Matsukou (Consul General of the Republic of Belarus in Mumbai)

Chief Guest Adv. Ashish Shelar (Hon’ble Minister of IT & Cultural Affairs, Govt. of Maharashtra) with Guests of Honor Padma Shri Uday Deshpande, Padma Shri Premjit Baria, and Shri Uday Shankarsheth (great-grandson of philanthropist Jagannath Shankarsheth)

Chief Guest Advocate Ashish Shelar (Minister of Information Technology and Cultural Affairs, Government of Maharashtra) viewing the paintings, accompanied by Dr. Uttam V. Jain (Patron, Hindustan Chamber of Commerce, Mumbai), Shri Kishor Khabiya Jain (CMD, Khabiya Group, Mumbai), and other distinguished guests.

Chief Guest Advocate Ashish Shelar (Minister of Information Technology and Cultural Affairs, Government of Maharashtra) viewing the paintings, accompanied by organizer Rajkumar Sharma, curator Nandoo Sarswati, Dr. Uttam V. Jain (Patron, Hindustan Chamber of Commerce, Mumbai), Shri Kishor Khabiya Jain (CMD, Khabiya Group, Mumbai), and other distinguished guests.

Chief Guest Advocate Ashish Shelar (Minister of Information Technology and Cultural Affairs, Government of Maharashtra) and H.E. Aliaksandr Matsukou (Consul General of the Republic of Belarus in Mumbai), lighting the ceremonial lamp, joined by Guests of Honor Padma Shri Premjit Baria and Padma Shri Uday Deshpande, Jagdish Purohit (Chairman, India Press, Mumbai), Rajkumar Sharma, Nandoo Saraswati and Rajendra Bhonsle.

Gallery Curator Varsha Karale welcomed Chief Guest Advocate Ashish Shelar (Minister of Information Technology and Cultural Affairs, Government of Maharashtra) with a traditional shawl and floral bouquet, accompanied by Harshit Sharma.

Art Curator Nandoo Saraswati welcomed Chief Guest H.E. Aliaksandr Matsukou (Consul General of the Republic of Belarus in Mumbai) with a traditional shawl and floral bouquet, accompanied by Rajkumar Sharma.

Artist Arti Raj welcomed Guest of Honor Padma Shri Premjit Baria (Eminent Artist, Diu, DNH – Daman & Diu) with a traditional shawl and floral bouquet.

Artist Vrushali Hemant Samat welcomed Guest of Honor Padma Shri Uday Vishwanath Deshpande (Mallakhamb Guru) with a traditional shawl and floral bouquet.

Eminent Photographer Mukesh Parpiani welcomed Guest of Honor IAS Nidhi Choudhri, Director of the National Gallery of Modern Art (NGMA), with a traditional shawl and floral bouquet.

Gold Medalist Photographer Ramesh Karmarkar welcomed Guest of Honor Prof. Waghmare (Former Director, Directorate of Art, Maharashtra) with a traditional shawl and floral bouquet.

Artist Deepika Shah welcomed Guest of Honor Ms. Brinda Miller (Hon. Chairperson, Kala Ghoda Association) with a traditional shawl and floral bouquet.

Rajendra Bhonsle welcomed VVIP Invitees Guest Dr. Uttam V. Jain (Patron, Hindustan Chamber of Commerce, Mumbai) with a traditional shawl and floral bouquet.

Artist Capt. Raj S. Likhari welcomed VVIP Invitee Mr. Kishor Khabiya Jain (CMD, Khabiya Group, Mumbai) with a traditional shawl and floral bouquet.

Artist Asha Phadatare welcomed VVIP Invitee Jagdish Purohit (Chairman, India Press, Mumbai) with a traditional shawl and floral bouquet.

Sculptor Artist Sushma Walavalkar Adate welcomed VVIP Invitee Prof. Mogglan Shravasti (Former Professor, Sir J.J. School of Art, Mumbai) with a traditional shawl and floral bouquet.

Artist Sateesh Dingankar welcomed VVIP Invitee Prof. Hemant Samant (Writer & General Secretary, JUM) with a traditional shawl and floral bouquet.

Chief Guest Advocate Ashish Shelar (Minister of Information Technology and Cultural Affairs, Government of Maharashtra) and His Excellency Aliaksandr Matsukou (Consul General of the Republic of Belarus in Mumbai) honoured Shri Uday Shankarsheth, great-grandson of renowned philanthropist Jagannath Shankarsheth, with a traditional shawl and floral bouquet in recognition of his great-grandfather’s significant contributions, accompanied by organiser Rajkumar Sharma and curator Nandu Saraswati.

Chief Guest Advocate Ashish Shelar (Minister of Information Technology and Cultural Affairs, Government of Maharashtra) and His Excellency Aliaksandr Matsukou (Consul General of the Republic of Belarus in Mumbai) honoured Usha Laxman (daughter-in-law of legendary cartoonist R. K. Laxman) with a traditional shawl and floral bouquet, in recognition of her father-in-law’s significant contributions, accompanied by organiser Rajkumar Sharma, curator Nandu Saraswati and Harshit Sharma.

Chief Guest Advocate Ashish Shelar (Minister of Information Technology and Cultural Affairs, Government of Maharashtra) and His Excellency Aliaksandr Matsukou (Consul General of the Republic of Belarus in Mumbai) honoured Jagdish Purohit (son of freedom fighter Purushottamdas H. Purohit) with a traditional shawl and floral bouquet, in recognition of his father's significant contributions, accompanied by organiser Rajkumar Sharma and curator Nandu Saraswati.

Chief Guest Advocate Ashish Shelar (Minister of Information Technology and Cultural Affairs, Government of Maharashtra) honoured VVIP Invitee Mr. Ganpat Kothari (CMD, Kothari Group, Mumbai) with a traditional shawl and floral bouquet, accompanied by other's dignitaries.

Chief Guest Advocate Ashish Shelar (Minister of Information Technology and Cultural Affairs, Government of Maharashtra) honoured event organizer Rajkumar Sharma (Kala Samvad) and art curator Nandoo Saraswati with a traditional shawl and floral bouquet, accompanied by Chief Guest His Excellency Aliaksandr Matsukou (Consul General of the Republic of Belarus in Mumbai), Kishor Khabiya Jain, Jagdish Purohit.

Chief Guest Advocate Ashish Shelar (Minister of Information Technology and Cultural Affairs, Government of Maharashtra) and His Excellency Aliaksandra Matsukou (Consul General of the Republic of Belarus in Mumbai), along with all the dignitaries, viewing the special souvenir of Kala Samvad.

The Chief Guest, Her Excellency Aliaksandra Matsuko, Consul General of the Republic of Belarus in Mumbai, addressed the esteemed dignitaries present.

The Chief Guest, Advocate Ashish Shelar, Hon’ble Minister of Information Technology and Cultural Affairs, Government of Maharashtra, addressed the esteemed dignitaries present.

All dignitaries and participating artists present at the event listened with great attention to the addresses delivered by the Chief Guests.

The Chief Guest, Advocate Ashish Shelar, Hon’ble Minister of Information Technology and Cultural Affairs, Government of Maharashtra, felicitated Varsha Karale on behalf of Kala Samvad.

The Chief Guest, Advocate Ashish Shelar, Hon’ble Minister of Information Technology and Cultural Affairs, Government of Maharashtra, felicitated Vicky Agrawal on behalf of Kala Samvad.

The Chief Guest, Advocate Ashish Shelar, Hon’ble Minister of Information Technology and Cultural Affairs, Government of Maharashtra, felicitated Rajendra Bhonsle on behalf of Kala Samvad.

The Chief Guest, Advocate Ashish Shelar, Hon’ble Minister of Information Technology and Cultural Affairs, Government of Maharashtra, felicitated Bhagwan Kadam on behalf of Kala Samvad.

The Chief Guest, Advocate Ashish Shelar, Hon’ble Minister of Information Technology and Cultural Affairs, Government of Maharashtra, felicitated Santosh Adavlikar on behalf of Kala Samvad.

The Chief Guest, Advocate Ashish Shelar, Hon’ble Minister of Information Technology and Cultural Affairs, Government of Maharashtra, felicitated Harshit Sharma on behalf of Kala Samvad.

The Chief Guest, Advocate Ashish Shelar, Hon’ble Minister of Information Technology and Cultural Affairs, Government of Maharashtra, felicitated Deepak Bachchav (Patil) on behalf of Kala Samvad.

The Chief Guest, Advocate Ashish Shelar, Hon’ble Minister of Information Technology and Cultural Affairs, Government of Maharashtra, felicitated Creative Kanika on behalf of Kala Samvad.

The Chief Guest, Advocate Ashish Shelar, Hon’ble Minister of Information Technology and Cultural Affairs, Government of Maharashtra, felicitated Shirish Karale on behalf of Kala Samvad.

The Chief Guest, H.E. Aliaksandr Matsukou, Consul General of the Republic of Belarus in Mumbai, felicitated IRS Prashant Patil on behalf of Kala Samvad.

The Guest of Honor Prof. Waghmare (Former Director, Directorate of Art, Maharashtra), felicitated Rajan Jadhav on behalf of Kala Samvad.

The Guest of Honor Prof. Waghmare (Former Director, Directorate of Art, Maharashtra), felicitated Krishan Agrawal on behalf of Kala Samvad.

The Guest of Honour Prof. Waghmare (Former Director, Directorate of Art, Maharashtra), felicitated poet Ravi Jadav on Behalf of Kala Samvad.

Among the distinguished attendees was Zheel Naganur, Assistant Curator, Bajaj Art Gallery, Mumbai.

Rajkumar Sharma and Nadoo Sarswati presented a painting to the Chief Guest, Advocate Ashish Shelar, Hon'ble Minister of Information Technology and Cultural Affairs, Government of Maharashtra.

L-R: Nadoo Sarswati, Jagdish Purohit, Harshit Sharma, Kishore Khabiya Jain, Usha Laxman, Padma Shri Premjit Baria, Rajkumar Sharma, and Subhadra Sharma — standing alongside a portrait of R. K. Laxman created using AI technology.

Usha Laxman, Rajkumar Sharma, Subhadra Sharma, Nadu Saraswati, and Participate Artist of Mumbai Monsoon — standing alongside a portrait of R. K. Laxman created using AI technology.

The Chief Guest, H.E. Aliaksandr Matsukou, Consul General of the Republic of Belarus in Mumbai, was warmly welcomed by the Guests of Honour — Padma Shri Uday Vishwanath Deshpande, Padma Shri Premjit Baria, IAS Nidhi Choudhary, Professor Waghmare, Uday Shankarsheth, Dr. Uttam V. Jain, Kishore Khabiya Jain, Professor Hemant Samant, artist Vrushali Hemant Samant, Rajkumar Sharma, Santosh Advilkar, among others.

The Chief Guest, H.E. Aliaksandr Matsukou, Consul General of the Republic of Belarus in Mumbai, along with Uday Shankarsheth, Padma Shri Uday Vishwanath Deshpande, Rajkumar Sharma, Jagdish Purohit, Ganpat Kothari, Vicky Agrawal, Nandoo Saraswati, and Deepak Bachav as they stood alongside a portrait of philanthropist Nana Jagannath ShankarShett, uniquely created using AI technology.

The Chief Guest, HE Aliaksandr Matsukou, Consul General of the Republic of Belarus in Mumbai, along with Padma Shri Uday Vishwanath Deshpande, Ganpat Kothari, Jagdish Purohit, Uday Shankarsheth, Rajkumar Sharma, Subhadra Sharma, artist Vrushali Hemant Samant, and Rajendra Jadhav, stood alongside a portrait of freedom fighter Purushottamdas H. Purohit, uniquely created using AI technology.

Guest of Honor IAS Nidhi Choudhri, Director of the National Gallery of Modern Art (NGMA), along with Harshit Sharma, Rajkumar Sharma and Subhadra Sharma

The Chief Guest, H.E. Aliaksandr Matsukou, Consul General of the Republic of Belarus in Mumbai, along with Rajkumar Sharma and Subhadra Sharma

The Chief Guest, H.E. Aliaksandr Matsukou, Consul General of the Republic of Belarus in Mumbai, along with Uday Shankarsheth, Padma Shri Uday Vishwanath Deshpande, Vicky Agrawal, Jagdish Purohit, Rajkumar Sharma, and Nandoo Saraswati, stood alongside a portrait of educationist Shantilal Lalji Furia, uniquely created using AI technology.

Shri Uday Shankarsheth, great-grandson of renowned philanthropist Jagannath Shankarsheth, with Harshit Sharma and Rajkumar Sharma stood alongside a portrait of philanthropist Nana Jagannath ShankarShett, uniquely created using AI technology.

Padma Shri Premjit Baria stands with his wife beside an AI-generated portrait of spiritual leader Pandurang Shastri Athavale, joined by renowned photographers Mukesh Mehra and Subhadra Sharma.

L-R: Krishan Agrawal, BK Agrawal, Padma Shri Uday Vishwanath Deshpande, Vicky Agrawal

Shri Uday Shankarsheth, great-grandson of renowned philanthropist Jagannath Shankarsheth, with Kishore Khabiya Jain stood alongside a portrait of philanthropist Nana Jagannath ShankarShett, uniquely created using AI technology.

Shri Uday Shankarsheth, great-grandson of renowned philanthropist Jagannath Shankarsheth, along with Prof. Waghmare, Kishore Khabiya Jain, Prof. Mogglan Shravasti, and others, stood alongside a portrait of philanthropist Nana Jagannath Shankarsheth, uniquely created using AI technology.

Organiser Rajkumar Sharma receiving blessings from Shri Uday Shankarsheth, great-grandson of the renowned social reformer Jagannath Shankarsheth.

Guests and participating artists enjoying warm hospitality over tea and coffee at the art exhibition "Unforgettable Memories" and "Mumbai Monsoon", organised by Kala Samvad. A delightful moment of connection and conversation amidst vibrant artistic expressions.