President Droupadi Murmu presented awards to artists at the 65th National Exhibition of Art and the 3rd Print Biennale India 2026 in New Delhi on Wednesday. The event was organised by the Lalit Kala Akademi under the Union ministry of culture.
Union culture and tourism minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat and culture ministry secretary Vivek Aggarwal attended the ceremony at the Dr Ambedkar International Centre, along with artists, senior officials and members of the cultural fraternity. The President also highlighted the role of exhibitions and biennales in facilitating interaction and the exchange of ideas among artists. She referred to the culture ministry’s efforts to expand opportunities for artists, increase public access to artworks and connect the arts with the creative economy. Shekhawat presented Murmu with a Gond painting as a token of appreciation. The minister also discussed printmaking, describing it as a medium that combines technical skills with artistic experimentation.
In his address, he said the Lalit Kala Akademi provided a national platform for artists to exhibit their work and represent the diversity of Indian art. He said the National Exhibition of Art and the Print Biennale helped promote interaction among artists, build international connections and increase the visibility of Indian art.
He also noted that incorporating artwork sales into the programme could help expand income opportunities for artists and support the creative economy. The initiative is intended to bring contemporary artworks into historical settings and expand public engagement with art and heritage. Referring to the government’s vision of Viksit Bharat by 2047 , Shekhawat highlighted the role of culture and creativity in the country’s development. Separately, the culture ministry will organise India Biennale 2026 from December 4, 2026, to March 21, 2027, at monuments and heritage sites across Delhi.
