Dhoomimal Gallery concludes its two-week exhibition celebrating India’s next generation of contemporary artists
New Delhi, October 20, 2025: Dhoomimal Gallery, India’s oldest modern art gallery, successfully concluded the 34th Annual Ravi Jain Memorial Foundation (RJMF) Exhibition with an inspiring Awards Ceremony that marked the grand culmination of the two-week-long showcase. From 60 participants selected out of over 500 nationwide entries, five exceptional emerging artists, Santanu Dey, Shuvam Sen, Naina Somani, Soumitra Das, and Ayesha Sultana Pramanik; were honoured as winners.
This year, in recognition of the extraordinary quality and diversity of submissions, the jury decided to extend the awards to five winners instead of the usual four—a reflection of the remarkable creative talent on display. Each awardee received ₹1,00,000 along with continued mentorship and opportunities to advance their artistic journey.
Speaking about the awards, Uday Jain, Director of Dhoomimal Gallery, said, “This year’s edition truly stood out for the calibre and originality of the participating artists. The jury’s decision to honour five awardees is a testament to the depth of emerging talent in India today. The Foundation remains deeply committed to nurturing these voices and continuing my father’s vision of supporting the future of Indian art.”
The winners were selected by a distinguished jury panel comprising Vibha Galhotra, Rekha Rodwittiya, Anish Gawande, Arunkumar H.G., and Ina Puri—renowned figures representing diverse perspectives across art, curation, literature, and cultural discourse.
The 34th RJMF Exhibition, held from September 29 to October 15, 2025, presented over 120 artworks spanning painting, sculpture, printmaking, video, and digital art. The showcase drew strong participation from collectors, curators, artists, and art enthusiasts, reaffirming Dhoomimal Gallery’s role as a leading platform for emerging Indian talent.
Instituted in 1991 by Smt. Uma Jain in memory of Ravi Jain (1936–2000)—the visionary gallerist who transformed Dhoomimal into a cornerstone of Indian modern art—the Ravi Jain Memorial Foundation continues to carry forward his belief that “for the art movement to perpetuate and grow, we must constantly nurture new talent.”
Over the past three decades, the RJMF Exhibition and Awards have evolved into one of India’s most respected platforms for emerging contemporary artists, offering visibility and recognition at formative stages of their careers.
Today, under the leadership of Uday and Sunaina Jain, the Foundation and Dhoomimal Gallery together remain dedicated to promoting contemporary voices, mentoring young artists, and shaping a vibrant ecosystem for Indian art.
