The Union Minister of Culture, Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, today viewed the exhibition of 115 oil paintings of Shivaji Maharaj organized by the Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA) and the National Gallery of Modern Art (NGMA). This exhibition was organized to mark the 350th anniversary of Chhatrapati Shivaji's coronation. Over the past 15 days, many art lovers, especially the youth, have visited the exhibition.

During his visit Minister of Culture, Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat said, "Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj is a great icon of our country and has been a source of inspiration for all of us for centuries. This historical exhibition, based on his life, allows us to learn and understand a lot about his life." The Culture Minister also mentioned that this collection is a priceless heritage of the Nation.

It is noteworthy that these paintings were created by Shrikant Choughule and his son Gautam Choughule under the guidance of Padma Vibhushan Babasaheb Purandare. Recently, the collector of these paintings, Shri Deepak Gore, inspired by the Prime Minister's vision, has handed over this collection to IGNCA as a heritage asset.

The Ministry of Culture is planning to create a permanent gallery and take this exhibition to other locations across the country. The Member Secretary of IGNCA, Dr. Sachchidanand Joshi, and the Director General of NGMA, Sanjeev Kumar Gautam, were also present with the Minister of Culture.

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BY/SKT