PRESS RELEASE
The painting bug bites critically acclaimed film director, Shayam Benegal is the latest celebrity to join the bandwagon of amateur painters. The actor turns painter for a good cause! He paints for Khushii – Indian on Canvas II along with renowned artist Lalitha Lajmi.
About KHUSHII: It stands for ‘Kinship for Humanitarian, Social and Holistic Intervention in India’. The legendary Kapil Dev spearheads Khushii – India on Canvas (IOC) an NGO based in New Delhi. The organization is working towards the upliftment of the poor and destitute communities in both rural and urban India. India on Canvas in its second year was conceived & conceptualized by Mr. Aman Nath (Patron) for Khushii. The NGO will work as a catalyst to heal an ailing India by joining hands with the leading lights of the nation. It is a unique endeavour to bring some of the most eminent personalities of India together with the greatest names in the art fraternity to jointly produce or endorse an artwork, which will then be auctioned at a distinguished gathering. The money raised from this auction will primarily benefit two of Khushii’s projects for the homeless youth and the elderly.
Last Year 2006: Khushii auctioned 121 works of art by artists in collaboration with prominent personalities from various walks of life including business tycoons, politicians and actors, to raise funds towards creating a better tomorrow and a safe future for the underprivileged, homeless youth and the elderly. Some of the eminent personalities that participated last year were Tina Ambani, Ratan Tata, P.Chidambaram, Renuka Chaudhary and Amitabh Bachchan. The auction took place at the British High Commissioner’s residence in the capital. This professional auction saw an astounding collection of art works, fetching a total of around Rs.15 crores.
This Year 2007: This year the new funds will facilitate a continuation of our work to uplift that other India. The overwhelming response of the both the participants and the buyers motivated us to organize ‘India on Canvas II’ again in series to seek your participation in this unique endeavor to bring forth a collective interpretation of India using the medium of art. A list of eminent Indians will collaborate with the greatest names in the art fraternity to jointly produce a canvas which is expected to be auctioned at a distinguished gathering in Mumbai at Turf Club on Sunday, 28th of October 2007.
