ArtsCrafts hosts cultural show at the Embassy of India in Abu Dhabi

ArtsCrafts hosted its annual two-day cultural initiative, Celebrations Beyond Boundaries, on November 23 — 24 at the Embassy of India in Abu Dhabi. The event, now in its third year, showcased the richness of Indian cultural diversity through a creative blend of art, dance and music, connecting people across communities and boundaries. It drew over 700 attendees. The attendance of Vandana Sudhir, spouse of the Ambassador of India to the UAE, underscored its cultural significance.

The inaugural ceremony was attended by dignitaries like Arpit Jain, First Secretary (Head of Chancery & Press, Info, Culture); Shahul Ameed (Founder and MD of AJ Steel); prominent business leaders, including Ali Shuja, Jitendra Vaidya, and Balbir Singh Randhawa. In his opening address, Anil Kejriwal, Founder and Director of ArtsCrafts, expressed his pride in the event’s continued success: “It is truly fulfilling to see so many creative individuals come together to celebrate art in its unique forms,” he said. “This marks our third consecutive year hosting this cultural event at the Indian Embassy, and its success stems from the passionate participation of artists, dancers, rangoli designers, and, of course, the audience.”

Some of the artworks displayed at the event.

Rangoli is an art form that originates from the Indian subcontinent, in which patterns are created on the floor using materials such as powdered limestone, red ochre, dry rice flour, coloured sand, quartz powder, flower petals, and coloured rocks. Celebrations opened with a Bharatanatyam (Indian classical dance form) performance by acclaimed dancer Rashika Ojha, founder of the Kala Sammridhi Centre for Dance. Over the next two days, the event offered an array of creative activities, including an art exhibition besides dance and rangoli competitions, live painting on an expansive 10-metre canvas, and a children’s art competition.

The art exhibition featured over 50 artists, each presenting their individual style and perspective. Dazzling paintings, thought-provoking installations and innovative designs, highlighted the diverse talents of the creators. The dance competition involved an engaging mix of Western and Indian classical styles, showcasing the artistry and cultural inspirations of the performers. The rangoli competition saw participants crafting intricate designs and the children’s art competition, aimed at participants aged 8–15, saw nearly 40 young artists showcase their creativity, impressing judges and spectators alike. The closing ceremony maintained the momentum, welcoming Deputy Chief of Mission A. Amarnath, alongside personalities such as Padmanabha Acharya (President of IBPG) and Mohammed Al Hosani (Head of Domestic Direct Investment, ADIO) and Krishnan, ICAI chapter chairman, Abu Dhabi.

An artist with her canvas.

Khushi Kejriwal, Head of Marketing and Digital Analytics, played a pivotal role, managing registrations and participant coordination. “Khushi’s strategic insights and attention to detail were vital to the smooth functioning of the event,” Anil Kejriwal said. The technical partnership with Dubai International Art Centre (DIAC), spearheaded by Chairperson Diyali Sen Bhalla, was much appreciated. “DIAC wholeheartedly supported the curation of the show, inviting their members to participate in this celebration of arts,” Anil Kejriwal said. Madhu Kejriwal was the host, and the event was moderated by Shereen Abraham. Abraham has been an integral part of the event for the past two years and her flawless moderation added a noteworthy touch to the celebrations.

Nilesh Bagore’s (Head of Technical) efforts and Rashika Ojha’s assistance (Ojha was also a technical partner through her dance academy), won credit. Ojha said that “this year’s dance competition, New Directions, was particularly special, as it blended Indian classical forms with traditional ballet, offering a platform for bold and innovative performers.” Adding a musical touch, the Bihar and Jharkhand Samaj (Community) of Abu Dhabi organised a soulful programme featuring talented singers from various Indian States. It was organised by Diwakar Prasad, Praveen Kumar, Vivek Tiwary and Bipin.

Celebrations received positive reviews from attendees and jury members alike. Er. Sudheer Balakrishnan called it “a well-executed event that beautifully demonstrated how art transcends boundaries.” Rashmee Bhansali commended the planning and performances, describing them as “a phenomenal experience.” Ruby Mathur remarked that “it was inspiring to witness such creativity and passion.” Suman Shaw and Kusum Dutta appreciated the inclusivity of the platform for artists across genres and age groups, while Meghna Shah described it as “a vibrant celebration that left us eager for more.” Jury member Saloni Saraogi said that “this unique event truly showcased creativity beyond boundaries.”

ArtsCrafts was founded in 2021 by Anil Kejriwal. It emerged from a mission of empathy: to connect talented artists with a wider audience and to award them the recognition they deserved. The idea was born during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic, when a struggling artist desperately reached out to Kejriwal for help. Though not artistically inclined, he purchased her artwork. The gesture had a domino effect: it encouraged many other art makers to seek his support. Kejriwal’s support for artists gained him widespread attention — his story was published by the Press in the UAE and India, as well. ArtsCrafts now has over 1,000 registered artists, offering them a motivating space to showcase their talents and foster their creativity.

Since its inception, ArtsCrafts has exhibited artworks across various venues, hosted seven online art events, organised Art as Therapy sessions for mental health, and conducted three annual cultural events. In 2022, it set a Guinness World Record by hosting an art session with participants from the most nationalities. Celebrations Beyond Boundaries was sponsored by AJ Steel, Jindal Saw, NAM Real Estate, Bank of Baroda and Cubana Travels.