Shri Ashish Shelar, Hon. Minister of Information Technology and Cultural Affairs, attended the closing ceremony of Rang De Neela’s ART for HEALTH exhibition at Jehangir Art Gallery on January 13th. The week-long exhibition has been a unique blend of art and health awareness. There were 47 inspiring real-life stories of recovery from adverse health conditions. Rang De Neela donated 421 kites to the Rangoonwala Foundation (India) Trust, 71 kites to Jai Hind, and 71 kites to Hinduja College too.
A distinctive feature of the exhibition was the Kite-Making for Healing activity, where visitors visually express their emotions, health concerns, and inner struggles on kites using lines, strokes, words, and forms. These kites symbolize the release of anxiety, pain, and suffering. By participating in this activity, visitors experience a symbolic act of unburdening, culminating in a collective kite release to mark emotional freedom.
Shri Ashish Shelar remarked, “The ‘Rang De Neela’ ART for HEALTH exhibition is a powerful initiative that integrates art and mental well-being. The kite-making activity aligns beautifully with the spirit of Makar Sankranti, a festival of new beginnings, symbolizing the release of burdens and the embrace of hope and positivity.”
Dr. Rajiv Kovil, co-founder of Rang De Neela, said, “Health is not just physical but emotional and mental too. Through art, we create a space for individuals to express, unburden, and heal. The kite release is a symbolic yet profound gesture of letting go of pain and embracing freedom.”
Dr. Ami Shah, Co-Founder added, “Art therapy helps people process emotions that words often fail to express. Through this unique kite-making activity, visitors experience a sense of liberation, knowing their struggles are seen and released into the vast sky of possibilities.”
The Rang De Neela ART for HEALTH exhibition has seen significant participation since its opening, with an expected 30,000 visitors over seven days.