MELBOURNE, 2 March, 2025: Indian folk arts including paintings are a thousand of years old tradition still relevant in the 21st century, and Senthil Vel, founder and CEO, International Folk Art Gallery, Melbourne is determined to protect and uplift them facing the risk of fading into obscurity. The fact it is happening outside India is a truism and this breathtaking rich human heritage got an excellent exposure at the Victorian Parliament for three days. Senthil Vel explains:
The exhibition was opened by Indian Counsel General, Melbourne, Dr. Sushil Kumar, who addressed the gathering and the inaugural speech was given by Colin Brooks MP, Minister for Creative Industry and Minister for Industry and Advanced Manufacturing, amd Mr. Lee Tarlamis MP, Member for Southeastern Metropolitan Region and Govt. Wip in the Legislative Council. They were also honoured at the function. Many other MPs including Eden Foster, Meng Heang Tak, John Mullahy, among others and prominent community members and art lovers were present. Eden Foster MP, Mulgrave (Victoria) spoke to South Asia Times (SAT) saying such beautiful art should be preserved:
Since childhood Senthil Vel, an engineer, always had his heart in art and to give strength to his passion he setup the Indian Folk Art Foundation in 2022. Since then and earlier, he has never looked back and says, “My aim is to build the largest home for Indian folk art in the world. A platform that will connect art collectors to the treasures of India, a platform that will help identify, develop, protect and pass Indian Folk Art to the next generation.”
At the exhibition, he was passionately explaining the different segments of Indian folk art. Seeing the exhibition is like going into the heart of India. The richness and diversity is evident along with the colour and themes.
All information about Vel and Indian folk art can be accessed at https://indianfolkart.org/
