Dilip Guha, Sasraya News ★ New Delhi : The Speaking Art Foundation successfully hosted the third edition of its annual flagship event, Speaking Art Fest, from 1st to 5th November 2025 at the National School of Drama (NSD), New Delhi. Conceptualised by Neeraj Sharma (Founder Director) and coordinated by Ritu Saxena (Additional Director), the festival reaffirmed the Foundation’s commitment to promoting visual arts, empowering artists, and linking art with social impact.
As a not-for-profit organisation, the Foundation had consistently worked to make art more accessible and inclusive through exhibitions, workshops, and outreach initiatives. Over the years, Speaking Art Fest has evolved into one of India’s most inspiring and inclusive art platforms, celebrating Affordable Art and creative expression with pan-India participation.
This edition brought together master artists, practising professionals, MFA students, and art organisations from across the country to showcase a rich diversity of visual art forms — including painting, sculpture, installation, and mixed media. With 60 booths representing artists from various states, the fest offered a vibrant marketplace where all artworks were available for sale, giving collectors and enthusiasts a rare opportunity to acquire original pieces at accessible prices.
Speaking Art Fest had firmly established itself as a national platform that united eminent visual artists, emerging talents, and art lovers in a shared celebration of creativity. The festival continued to blend aesthetics with awareness and social responsibility, fostering a deeper connection between art and consciousness.
Earlier in the year, the Foundation launched a crowdfunding campaign to enhance inclusivity. The funds raised were used to offer complimentary booths to MFA students, enabling young and aspiring artists to exhibit their work alongside established names. This gesture upheld the spirit of equity and encouragement.
Curated Events and Highlights
This year’s edition featured several thoughtfully curated sessions and initiatives:
Painting Exhibition: A grand showcase of artworks by senior, emerging, and student artists from across India.
AI and Art – “The Art of Intelligence”: A compelling dialogue exploring the evolving relationship between creativity and artificial intelligence.
Eye Care for Artists – “Vision for Art”: An awareness session led by an eye specialist, focusing on visual health and well-being for artists.
Art Quiz – “Art IQ”: A fun and interactive quiz designed to engage participants in art history, knowledge, and culture.
The first edition of Speaking Art Fest was held at AIFACS Grounds, New Delhi, followed by the second edition at Rabindra Bhawan, Lalit Kala Akademi, New Delhi, both of which received immense appreciation from the art fraternity.
This third edition, hosted at the National School of Drama (NSD), was even more engaging, inclusive, and inspiring. As the directors of Speaking Art Fest said, “We’re truly delighted to share that this edition has witnessed participation from artists across India.”
“Being a non-profit foundation, our intent has always been to make art more inclusive and accessible. That’s why we’ve provided exhibition spaces at very affordable prices, enabling both emerging and professional artists to showcase their work.”
“This year, the fest features over 60 booths and 100+ participating artists, along with a series of insightful sessions such as Art in the Age of AI, Eye Care for Visual Artists, Art Quiz, and Live Art Performances. Over 3,000 visitors, including art lovers, curators, gallery owners, architects, and students, attended. We’re also proud to have supported three differently-abled young artists and extended six complimentary booths to deserving and underprivileged artists — a small effort to uphold the spirit of inclusion and encouragement. Our goal remains simple — to build a platform where art speaks beyond boundaries, connects people, and celebrates every creative voice.”
Ria Sinha: Translating Sound into Vision
Ria Sinha, a professional painter based in Delhi, holds a Master of Fine Arts in Painting from the Delhi College of Art. A recipient of the prestigious M. F. Husain Award for Best Painting, she has been recognised by the Ministry of Culture, Government of India, as one of the “Top Ten Artists” under the Vikshit Bharat programme for her exceptional contribution to modern Indian art.
Ria has participated in numerous art workshops and group exhibitions, showcasing her evolving artistic vision. While her forte lies in Abstract Art in Acrylic, she also explores mixed media, watercolour, and oil painting, skillfully blending techniques to create works that resonate with emotion and depth. In addition to her abstract creations, she is equally accomplished in realistic painting and portraiture, reflecting her versatility and mastery across styles.
Her work displayed at the exhibition was chosen from her series titled “Sound.” Elaborating on the concept, Ria said, “The works are part of my series ‘Sound,’ where I explore the idea of sound as a visual experience. I attempt to translate sound into abstract shapes, colours, and textures—depicting human organs such as the inner ear and cochlea, sound waves, and the baffling variety of external noises and cacophonies. Ultimately, it’s a quest to feel sound in its embryonic stage, a tough journey from the silent world to the world of sound.”
Under the aegis of the Speaking Art Foundation, marking her first exhibition with the organisation. “It was a wonderful experience,” she shared. “Meeting budding artists, art students, and established names from across the country made this festival a truly enriching and learning experience,” she added.
Known for her abstract art in acrylic, Ria also experiments with mixed media, watercolour, and oil, while maintaining a strong command over realistic painting and portraiture—a testament to her versatility and artistic depth
Shubhangi Yadav — Educator, Abstract Artist, and Storyteller in Colour
Shubhangi Yadav, a postgraduate in English Literature (2023), is an educator and self-taught abstract artist dedicated to transforming her lifelong passion for art into a meaningful and sustainable creative pursuit.
Balancing her work as an educator with her artistic explorations, Shubhangi creates paintings that invite moments of stillness and reflection. In a world often consumed by noise and haste, her canvases encourage viewers to pause, breathe, and listen to the quiet dialogue between colour, form, and silence.
Working primarily with acrylics, she seeks to translate the intangible — faith, emotion, and memory — into living landscapes of light, movement, and feeling.
She said …“My artistic journey began in the playful curiosity of childhood — a fascination with colour that blossomed into a lifelong dialogue with the abstract. My paintings are not mere compositions; they are stories. Perhaps it’s no surprise that as a teacher of English literature, my sensitivity to narrative permeates my art. Each canvas carries the rhythm of language and the stillness of meditation.”
Describing her recent painting, Shoten Zenjin, she shares:
“My recent work, ‘Shoten Zenjin’, draws inspiration from a profound Nichiren Buddhist concept that speaks of the ‘protective forces of the universe’ — the unseen guardians of courage, wisdom, and compassion that arise through one’s own faith and practice. Through bold brushstrokes and luminous layers, I capture this spiritual awakening visually: a delicate balance of calm and transcendence. The piece reflects my belief that even the most formidable obstacles can become gateways to transformation.”
Speaking of the participation at the Speaking Art fest, Shubhangi reflects: “This exhibition offers a glimpse into my evolving universe — a space where art and literature intertwine, and where the viewer is invited to find their own reflections within the abstract.”
Beyond her personal explorations, Shubhangi continues to create commissioned works and work as a freelance illustrator, channelling imagination and emotion into every project she undertakes.
Tushar Chanda: Channelling Divinity Through Art
Tushar Chanda, a Delhi-based visual artist, has been passionate about painting since childhood. He holds a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Fine Arts from the College of Art and Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi. “I have always felt a deep instinct and passion for art, which I have nurtured into a dedicated professional pursuit,” he shared.
Tushar’s artistic practice centres on spirituality and devotion. Through his paintings, he seeks to explore and express the divine essence of deities such as Lord Krishna, Lord Ganesha, and Maa Saraswati. His primary muse, however, remains Goddess Maa Kali, whose energy, strength, and transcendental beauty he strives to capture on canvas.
Reflecting on his participation in the 3rd Speaking Art Festival, Tushar said, “This is my second time being part of the Speaking Art Fest, and it has been an immensely enriching experience. Being among more than a hundred talented artists brings immense joy, learning, and inspiration. It has also been a privilege to receive valuable guidance and feedback from senior artists, helping me grow further in my creative journey.”
Kolkata-based artist Sayan Chowdhury, known for his work Chari Kechar, brings his art to Delhi, intending to spread joy through humour and creativity. “People have become like robots, caught in endless cycles of work,” he says. “If my art can make someone laugh for even two minutes, that’s enough for me.” Chowdhury invites visitors to experience his work firsthand and share in the laughter it inspires.
Tarz-e-Kala: Young Artists Shaping Dreams Through Expression
Tarz-e-Kala is a collective of passionate Fine Arts students united by their shared love for creativity and expression. The group aims to explore and communicate diverse ideas, perspectives, and emotions through various artistic projects and mediums. Each member brings a distinct creative vision, working across disciplines such as filmmaking, digital photography, graphic design, and traditional art — together reflecting the power of art as a universal language of thought, culture, and change in a fast-paced world.
Speaking about the collective, Akshit, one of the members, shared, “We are Tarz-e-Kala — a group of nine Fine Art students: Rudra, Ojas, Abdus, Tashan, Avneesh, Akshit, Saloni, Arisha, and Priyanshu. Each of us carries a different creative spark, but together we share one dream — to express our thoughts and emotions through art.”
So far, the group has explored a variety of creative forms, including sketching, charcoal work, videography, illustration, photography, painting, and graphic design. One of their art installations, currently displayed at the exhibition, marks their first collective experience of translating shared ideas into a tangible space.
While their upcoming comic project is still in its planning stage, the members are eager to begin, blending storytelling with visuals and emotions. Looking ahead, Tarz-e-Kala plans to create more art installations and collaborative visual projects that deepen their understanding of how art connects people.
Reflecting on their experience at the exhibition, the group shared that it has been a valuable learning journey — teaching them how to present and communicate their work, engage with audiences, and grow as a creative team. Despite limited resources and time, their commitment and collaboration have resulted in something deeply meaningful.
For these young artists, Tarz-e-Kala is more than just a group — it is a journey of learning, expressing, and shaping dreams into reality.
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