Gender

GENDER: SISTERHOOD AND ART CELEBRATING LEGACY

by Editorial Desk March 11 2025, 12:00 am Estimated Reading Time: 5 mins, 28 secs

Celebrating the sisterhood behind the Prafulla Dahanukar Art Foundation, where women uplift emerging artists, ensuring art remains a pure, inclusive, and empowering force—free from commercial barriers. The #Newsdesk reports…

The Prafulla Dahanukar Art Foundation, led by Gopika Dahanukar, Gauri Dahanukar Mehta, and Rukmini Dahanukar, is a pioneering platform empowering emerging Indian artists. With zero commission art sales, prestigious grants like Kalanand, and inclusive programs like Balanand, Samanand, and Sadanand, the foundation nurtures talent across generations. Rooted in Prafulla Dahanukar’s legacy, it champions women in art, creative expression, and artist empowerment. By breaking commercial barriers and nurturing a thriving community, it ensures art remains a space of passion, inclusion, and empowerment for all.

International Women’s Day may officially fall on March 8th, but its spirit lingers far beyond the date itself. Women continue to celebrate their femininity, their achievements, and their contributions to society in various ways—especially in the arts. The echoes of this celebration are felt deeply within the Prafulla Dahanukar Art Foundation, where the power of women supporting women thrives year-round. This foundation is more than just an organization; it is a testament to the enduring legacy of one of India’s most remarkable women artists and the commitment of her family to keep her vision alive.

A Legacy of Artistic Empowerment

Gopika Dahanukar, one of the foundation’s trustees, reflects on the challenges that artists face: “How often I hear from artists—‘It’s difficult to be seen as an artist; we need a gallery to support us. Otherwise, how do we reach people with our work?’ I grew up seeing my mother encouraging so many such artists. She always showed up for the opening of emerging artists to encourage them. Having been the chairman of the Bombay Art Society and the Artists’ Centre, she made time to give her input or buy art to support talent. This is the legacy that inspired the creation of the Prafulla Dahanukar Art Foundation by my father, Dilip Dahanukar, to encourage and promote artists who lacked a platform but had real talent.”

The foundation’s mission is clear: to provide opportunities for emerging artists across India. Artists apply for fellowships, and a jury of established artists and curators selects the most promising talents. The chosen collection is then exhibited in a renowned gallery, offering a crucial space for artists to connect with appreciative audiences.

“What makes our non-profit truly unique is that we take no commission from the artists’ work. Unlike commercial galleries that retain a percentage, we ensure that artists receive the full benefit of their sales,” says Gopika.

But beyond financial support, the foundation stands as a safeguard for artistic integrity. “When I was younger, I met artists who were truly in love with their art—who lived and breathed creativity for its own sake. Art for art’s sake was a value they cherished. They stood for it and by it. Today, when I visit exhibitions, the crowd often consists of investors more than art lovers. The culture has shifted—art now serves a market more than its creative soul. Through the foundation, we strive to uphold the essence of artistic passion, ensuring that emerging artists remain empowered to create freely.”

A Commitment to Artistic Growth Across Generations

For trustee Rukmini Dahanukar, the foundation’s journey has been as humbling as it has been gratifying:

“On Women’s Day, it’s very gratifying and humbling to share the decade-long journey of the Prafulla Dahanukar Art Foundation, inspired by the late progressive woman artist, Prafulla Dahanukar, and her spirit of encouragement toward upcoming artists. Our initiatives span the entire spectrum—from young children to budding adults and retired seniors.”

The foundation’s various programs nurture artists at every stage of their lives:

• Kalanand, the arts grant program, awards emerging artists through a rigorous blind peer-review jury process. The winners are then given the opportunity to showcase their works for direct sale.
• Balanand, in collaboration with Swahansa India, is an expressive arts program encouraging young children to explore their creativity through art therapy.
• Samanand mirrors Balanand but is tailored to children with special needs, fostering inclusivity in artistic education.
• Sadanand brings young artists into old-age homes to create murals and engage seniors in artistic expression, bringing warmth and joy to their twilight years.

Through these initiatives, the foundation fulfils its mission of making art accessible to all while preserving the deeply personal connection between artist and audience.

Keeping the Soul of Art Alive

Gauri Dahanukar Mehta, another key trustee, reflects on the deeply personal connection she shares with the foundation: “On International Women’s Day, I reflect as a trustee leading the Prafulla Dahanukar Art Foundation alongside my sister Gopika and cousin Rukmini. Founded by my father, Dilip Dahanukar, to honour my mother’s artistic spirit, our foundation embodies her vision of nurturing creative expression across India. Ma was an artist who watered the whole field of art with her energy and enthusiasm. She was a beacon of inspiration for many young women artists. Now, the three of us carry forward her legacy of encouraging emerging talents and providing them with platforms for visibility and confidence.”

Recognizing the power of technology, the foundation has extended its reach beyond physical galleries says Gauri. “Our digital platforms have further broken geographical barriers, allowing artists from remote regions to showcase their work nationally. What brings me the greatest joy is seeing the spark of creativity ignite in participants across all our programs! Through caring, sharing, and giving attention to creative expression, we’re working to invoke joy, peace, and harmony in a world that needs these qualities more than ever.”

The Prafulla Dahanukar Art Foundation is not merely an organization—it is a movement. It is a testament to the power of women coming together, lifting each other up, and ensuring that art remains a sanctuary for creative expression.

Together, as a sisterhood united in purpose, Gopika, Gauri, and Rukmini ensure that Prafulla Dahanukar’s legacy is not just a monument to the past but a living force nurturing India’s creative future.

On this International Women’s Day and beyond, they celebrate not just the woman who started it all but the women who continue to create against all odds, proving that art, when nurtured with love and commitment, can truly transform lives.