Preserving the Endangered Folk Arts of India
On 8 October 2026, I had the honour of receiving the Excellence in Multicultural Arts & Cultural Preservation Award at the Parliament of Victoria, Melbourne.
The award was presented by Lee Tarlamis OAM MP, Member of the Victorian Legislative Council for the South-Eastern Metropolitan Region and Government Whip, in recognition of my work in preserving traditional Indian art and promoting cultural heritage in Victoria.
It was a memorable occasion, but more importantly, it was an opportunity to bring attention to something very close to my heart, the Endangered Folk Arts of India and the artists who continue to keep these traditions alive.
A Journey Between Engineering and Art
For more than three decades, my professional life has been in engineering, industrial reliability, asset management and technology, working across different countries and cultures.
Alongside this journey, traditional Indian art has always remained an important part of my life.
In 1992, I began learning traditional Tanjore painting under Shilp Guru Sri Venkatesa Raja. What started as an interest in learning this beautiful art form gradually developed into a deeper appreciation of the skills, knowledge and cultural traditions passed down through generations of artists.
Over the years, I realised that many traditional Indian art forms face an uncertain future. While their artistic beauty is widely admired, the artists who practise them often struggle with limited recognition, access to markets and opportunities to pass their skills to the next generation.
That understanding eventually led to the establishment of the International Indian Folk Art Gallery.
Recognition at the Parliament of Victoria
Receiving this award at the Parliament of Victoria was particularly meaningful because it recognised the importance of traditional Indian arts within Australia’s multicultural community.
During the presentation, Lee Tarlamis OAM MP spoke about the need to preserve these traditions for future generations and introduce their beauty, stories and cultural significance to wider audiences in Victoria.
He also acknowledged the contribution of my family and the artists involved in this journey.
One message from his speech stayed with me: the legacy we create for future generations through cultural preservation should never be underestimated.
It was encouraging to see the importance of these artistic traditions recognised in such a significant setting.
This Recognition Belongs to Many People
Although the award was presented to me personally, I see it as recognition of a collective effort.
I am grateful to the traditional artists who have shared their knowledge and trusted us to promote their work, the students who have shown an interest in learning these art forms, and the volunteers, friends and family members who have supported our initiatives.
My sincere thanks to Lee Tarlamis OAM MP for presenting the award and encouraging our work.
International Indian Folk Art Gallery – A Mission to Preserve Living Heritage
In 2020, we established the International Indian Folk Art Gallery (IIFAG) in Melbourne with a simple vision: to preserve, revive and promote the Endangered Folk Arts of India.
India has an extraordinary diversity of traditional visual arts, including Tanjore, Madhubani, Warli, Gond, Pattachitra, Phad, Kalamkari and many other regional traditions.
Each art form carries its own history, techniques, symbolism and cultural stories.
Through IIFAG, we work to support traditional artists, promote their artworks, create exhibition opportunities and introduce these traditions to audiences beyond their places of origin.
Our aim is not simply to preserve paintings as historical objects, but to help ensure these remain living art traditions, practised and valued by future generations.
Gurukulam – Passing Knowledge to the Next Generation
One of the most important lessons from this journey is that preserving artworks alone is not enough.
The techniques, knowledge and experience of traditional artists must also be passed on.
This led us to develop Gurukulam – School for Indian Folk Art, an online educational initiative connecting traditional artists and teachers with students around the world.
Through structured courses and practical instruction, Gurukulam creates opportunities for people to learn traditional Indian painting while supporting the artists and teachers who carry this knowledge.
I also continue to teach traditional Tanjore painting, sharing the techniques I learned from my Guru more than three decades ago.
Every student who learns these skills becomes part of the effort to preserve our artistic heritage.
Continuing the Journey
There is still much to do.
Through IIFAG and Gurukulam, we hope to reach more artists, expand opportunities for exhibitions and education, and encourage more people to discover the extraordinary diversity of India’s traditional visual arts.
My professional career in engineering has taught me the importance of innovation and progress. My journey in traditional art has taught me the equal importance of preserving knowledge and heritage.
I believe both can coexist — embracing the future while protecting the traditions that connect us to our past.
This recognition is an encouragement to continue that journey.
Our mission remains unchanged: to preserve, revive and celebrate the Endangered Folk Arts of India, one artist and one student at a time.
Explore our work
International Indian Folk Art Gallery: https://indianfolkart.org/
Gurukulam – School for Indian Folk Art: https://guru.indianfolkart.org/
