Know All About Art at the 18th Jaipur Literature Festival

New Delhi: The much-anticipated 2025 edition of the iconic Jaipur Literature Festival is set to take place from 30th January to 3rd February at Hotel Clarks Amer in Jaipur. Known for being the world’s grandest celebration of books & ideas, the festival will be a dynamic platform for creative expression. Like each year, art will be one of the highlights of the Jaipur Literature Festival.

The Economics of Art: Policy, Innovation, and Inclusion will bring together an illustrious panel, including H.E. Noura bint Mohammed Al Kaabi, UAE Minister of State; Scott McDonald, CEO, British Council; Gary Tinterow, Director, Museum of Fine Arts, Houston; and Max Hollein, CEO, Metropolitan Museum of Art; in conversation with Festival Producer and Managing Director, Teamwork Arts, Sanjoy K. Roy. The session will examine how government initiatives, funding, and public-private partnerships can shape sustainable creative economies, with insights from global leaders on fostering cultural innovation, public diplomacy and preservation, particularly in India. 

In The Ajanta Caves: Ancient Buddhist Painting, renowned art historian Benoy K. Behl will discuss the murals of the Ajanta Caves in conversation with Festival Co-Director William Dalrymple, revealing their global influence and historical significance. Pulitzer Prize-winning author Benjamin Moser will take audiences on a journey into Dutch art and culture in two compelling discussions: The Upside-Down World: Meetings with the Dutch Masters will have him in conversation with art historian Gary Tinterow, speaking about Dutch art and history, chronicling his two-decade journey in the Netherlands. In It’s Dutch to Me, presented in collaboration with the Embassy of the Netherlands, Moser and celebrated Iranian-Dutch author Kader Abdolah will explore the enduring legacy of Dutch art and language.

The festival will host two First Edition book launches on art. The launch of Devi and Her Avataras will have Alka Pande, Bulbul Sharma, and Vayu Naidu in conversation with Malashri Lal, exploring the feminine as a powerful creative force in Indian mythology and art. The Third Eye of Indian Art by Harsha Dehejia will also be launched. This book examines the spiritual and philosophical dimensions of Indian art, offering new insights into its cultural and symbolic significance. Dehejia will be in conversation with Benoy K. Behl.

The Ojas Art Award segment will celebrate two books: Hymns of Medhini by acclaimed graphic novelist and artist Abhishek Singh, and Another Master: Ram Singh Urveti, which highlights the extraordinary artistic journey of Gond artist Ram Singh Urveti, honouring his contributions to indigenous art traditions. The Ojas Art Award 2025 will honour Jaipur-based miniature artists Vinita Sharma and Ajay Sharma for their dedication to traditional art forms. Gond artist Ram Singh Urveti, the Artist in Residence, will reveal a specially commissioned 8x12-foot painting at the Festival’s Durbar Hall venue and create a live artwork during the festival, giving attendees a closer look at Gond art in the making.

Artist Veer Munshi will present a striking installation at the festival’s entry point, inspired by Kashmir’s traditional papier-mâché and kalamkari motifs, exploring themes of resilience, healing, and identity. Meanwhile, acclaimed photographer Vicky Roy will showcase over 20 impactful images from his Ability in Disability series, which documents the lives of individuals with disabilities across India, celebrating their stories of strength and perseverance.

The Maharaja Sawai Man Singh II Trust, a long-standing Festival collaborator, will present innovative artworks created by students and art groups across Rajasthan, reimagining the cultural and monumental heritage of the state.

Speaking about the Festival’s emphasis on art, Anubhav Nath, Art Advisor, Jaipur Literature Festival, and Director, Ojas Art, Delhi, said: “The Jaipur Literature Festival has always celebrated the intersection of art, literature, and ideas. This year, we are thrilled to present a range of visual experiences that amplify the voices of indigenous artists while celebrating artistic innovation.”

Reflecting on the Festival’s enduring legacy, Sanjoy Roy, Festival Producer and Managing Director, Teamwork Arts, said: “The Jaipur Literature Festival has always been a wellspring of creative expression, offering a canvas for diverse art forms and artists from across India. The Festival strongly believes in the transformative power of the arts and fosters connection through a celebration of books, words, ideas, and an array of artistic traditions.