Lucknow: As part of the state-wide celebrations commemorating the 300th birth anniversary of Lokmata Ahilyabai Holkar, the Department of Culture, Government of Uttar Pradesh, organized a special art exhibition dedicated to the legendary queen at Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia National Law University, Ashiyana, Lucknow on May 29, 2025.
The exhibition, curated by the State Lalit Kala Akademi, Uttar Pradesh, featured 25 artworks portraying the life, legacy, and contributions of Ahilyabai Holkar, one of India’s most revered rulers and patrons of dharma and culture.
The exhibition was inaugurated by Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh Yogi Adityanath, along with B.L. Santosh (National General Secretary – Organisation, Bharatiya Janata Party), Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya, and Cabinet Minister Swatantra Dev Singh, among other distinguished guests.
After viewing the artworks, the Chief Minister and dignitaries praised the exhibition, commending the State Lalit Kala Akademi’s efforts to preserve and promote cultural heritage through visual arts. They appreciated the depiction of Ahilyabai’s spiritual strength, administrative wisdom, and architectural contributions through various artistic interpretations.
Dr. Shraddha Shukla, Director of the State Lalit Kala Akademi, shared that the exhibition was a result of a painting camp held on May 28, 2025, at the Akademi campus located at Lal Baradari Bhavan, Kaiserbagh, Lucknow. The camp brought together talented artists from across Uttar Pradesh, who created original artworks inspired by the life of Lokmata Ahilyabai Holkar. These very artworks were showcased in the exhibition.
She further informed that under the guidance of the state government, the Akademi is consistently working to connect artists and the general public with India’s cultural icons by organizing visual art camps and exhibitions focused on their lives and values.
The occasion also witnessed the presence of Dr. Sunil Kumar Vishwakarma, Chairman of the State Lalit Kala Akademi, along with the entire Akademi staff, who contributed significantly to the successful execution of the event.
The exhibition served as a powerful reminder of Ahilyabai Holkar’s enduring impact on Indian history and culture, inspiring both the art community and the wider public to celebrate and uphold the legacy of such timeless figures.
