President Droupadi Murmu honoured selected artists from the 65th National Exhibition of Art with Lalit Kala Akademi awards in New Delhi on October 21, 2026. The ceremony also recognised Grand Prize recipients and Honourable Mentions from the 3rd Print Biennale India, 2026.
In her address, Murmu described the occasion as a celebration of artistic inheritance, cultural diversity and contemporary creativity. She placed the awards within the continuing development of India’s varied art traditions, recognising the creative energy and changing forms of expression that keep them alive.
Murmu said art should not be understood solely through paintings, sculpture or other individual media. It also expresses a society’s memories, present experiences and hopes for the future, allowing people to see their own times from new perspectives. She called for traditional artists in remote regions to receive training in modern technologies and contemporary techniques so they could present their skills and enter competitions on wider platforms.
Creative opportunities alone do not meet all the needs of artists, the President said. Financial backing, links with collectors and access to larger markets are also important. She welcomed efforts by the Lalit Kala Akademi and the Ministry of Culture to encourage artwork sales and support the connection between creators and buyers.
Art should not remain restricted to galleries, Murmu said, urging its presence in schools, universities, public places and wider society. She asked stakeholders to give young and emerging artists meaningful room to develop their abilities, try new media and extend their creative practice. Her appeal linked wider public access to art with opportunities for the next generation of creators.
The President’s full address is available through the accompanying speech link.