The inaugural NDTV Masterstroke Art Awards unfolded less like a conventional awards ceremony and more like a thoughtfully curated art experience, where conversations, ideas and people flowed with ease. From the moment guests walked in, the atmosphere reflected an intent to make art feel personal and accessible, rather than distant or exclusive.

According to an NDTV press release, the Masterstroke Art Awards were conceived to democratise art and bring it closer to public life. Artists, patrons, curators, writers and cultural institutions mingled freely, with no visible hierarchy, united by a shared belief that art thrives within a larger ecosystem and must be nurtured collectively. The awards echoed this philosophy by recognising contributors across the spectrum who shape, support and sustain India’s cultural landscape.

Explaining the vision behind the initiative, Rahul Kanwal, CEO and Editor-in-Chief, NDTV, said the network wanted to create a space where art is seen as integral to mainstream discourse. He noted that while NDTV is known for its coverage of politics, markets and public affairs, culture is equally central to understanding society. The Masterstroke Art Awards, he said, aim to give art greater visibility and invite wider public engagement, moving it beyond limited and elite circles.

Artist of the Year honours went to Arpita Singh for a body of work deeply rooted in memory, emotion, politics and identity, resonating far beyond gallery walls. The Lifetime Achievement in Art Award was presented to Krishen Khanna, recognising not just his decades-long artistic practice but also his intellectual contribution to India’s cultural dialogue. Emerging Artist of the Year Vikrant Bhise represented a younger generation of artists exploring experimental and reflective visual languages shaped by personal and social narratives.

Kiran Nadar was named Art Patron of the Year for her sustained contribution to India’s cultural infrastructure through museums, philanthropy and long-term institutional support. The Excellence in Traditional Arts Award to Mangla Bai highlighted the importance of living indigenous traditions, while the Panjeri Artists Union received the Art for Impact – Social Change Award, underscoring art’s power as a medium for community identity and collective expression.

Institutional contributions were also in focus. Serendipity Arts Foundation was honoured for creating platforms that encourage dialogue and engagement, while DAG received the Gallery of the Year Award for its commitment to research and scholarship. The Museum of Art & Photography, Bengaluru, was named Museum of the Year for reshaping how Indian art is archived, interpreted and made accessible.

The awards further recognised those who influence how art is understood and experienced. Vandana Kalra was named Art Writer of the Year, while ‘Madhvi Parekh: Early Drawings’, published by DAG, won Art Book of the Year. Roobina Karode was honoured as Curator of the Year, highlighting the crucial yet often unseen role curators play. International perspective came through the Global Cultural Icon Award to Annie Leibovitz, and Partha Dasgupta received the Public Art Installation Award, reinforcing the idea that art belongs in shared public spaces.

The jury, chaired by Kiran Nadar, brought together a wide range of voices, including Akshata Murty, Anjolie Ela Menon, Dr. Pheroza J. Godrej, Abhishek Poddar, Kishore Singh, Sabyasachi Mukherjee, Sandy Angus, Shanay Jhaveri, Ibrahim Mahama and Dr. Payal Kanodia, ensuring a balance of artistic, institutional and global perspectives.

Rohit Chawla, Creative Director, NDTV, said the intent was to avoid a conventional awards format and instead create an environment that removed the invisible barriers surrounding art. The evening, he said, was designed to allow artists, institutions and audiences to come together naturally, with mutual respect.

The first edition of the NDTV Masterstroke Art Awards marked a clear step towards placing art in a more inclusive and visible space within public life, signalling a broader cultural conversation about what India’s artistic identity is, and what it can become.