Ektashif India Exhibition

In celebration of the Qatar-India 2019 Year of Culture, Ektashif: India features the works of seven Qatari artists who embarked on a ten-day educational art trip to India from 23 November to 2 December 2019. The exhibition presents the artists’ experiences as a vibrant collection of artworks that range from paintings and sketches to photography and installations, each reflecting how their deepened artistic visions.

In celebration of the Qatar-India 2019 Year of Culture, Ektashif: India features the works of seven Qatari artists who embarked on a ten-day educational art trip to India from 23 November to 2 December 2019. The exhibition presents the artists’ experiences as a vibrant collection of artworks ranging from paintings and sketches to photography and installations, each reflecting their deepened artistic visions.

Exhibition Highlights

Organised by the Museum of Islamic Art (MIA) with support from Seashore Group, the journey took the artists through the three major cities of Delhi, Agra and Jaipur.

Delhi

The first stop was Delhi, where the group visited the Jama Masjid, one of the largest mosques in India. They also toured the Red Fort, which served as the seat of government during the Mughal era, and Humayun’s Tomb, built for the second Mughal emperor. The visit in Delhi concluded with a trip to Qutub Minar, a 12th-century minaret that is considered the tallest of its kind in India.

Agra

The second destination was Agra, which served as the Mughal capital for several years. The artists visited the Tomb of Itimad-ud-Daulah, built by Emperor Jahangir in memory of his wife’s father, Mirza Ghiyas Beg. They also visited the tomb of Emperor Akbar, the third and most prominent ruler of the Mughal Empire. The visit to Agra concluded at the Taj Mahal, one of the Seven Wonders of the World, built by Shah Jahan in memory of his beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal.

Jaipur

The final stop was Jaipur, where the artists visited the historic Fatehpur Sikri Fort, which served as the Mughal capital in the 16th-century during the reign of Emperor Akbar. They also toured Amber Fort, built by Raja Man Singh, known for its towering walls and intricate Hindu carvings. The group then visited the City Palace, built by Maharaja Sawai Singh, and concluded their trip at the famous Hawa Mahal (Palace of Winds), one of Jaipur’s most renowned landmarks.