Indian Olympic Milestones Celebrated Through Art in Paris 2024

New Delhi: On August 9, while Indian athletes competed in the Olympic Village, another tribute to India’s Olympic journey was being paid in Paris. The 7th Arrondissement Town Hall hosted an art exhibition organized by the JSW Group, highlighting significant moments in Indian Olympic history. The event honored milestones dating back to 1920, when three Indian athletes set sail on the SS Mantua to participate in the Summer Olympics in Antwerp, Belgium.

Among the artworks on display, a remarkable piece by Paris-based Indian artist Sujata Bajaj captured attention. Her canvas intricately combined the Indian flag with the Olympic rings, symbolizing the unity and universality of the Olympic spirit. Bajaj utilized the colors of both the Indian and French flags—orange, green, blue, white, and red—to create a dynamic and vivid representation. The central focus of her work was the Ashoka chakra, a powerful symbol of India, subtly infused with gold, silver, and bronze tones to represent the medals of Olympic achievement. Bajaj described her work as a reflection of the global unity embodied by the Olympic Games, with colors flowing together like world maps viewed from space.

The event also featured commissioned pieces by Sangita Jindal, chairperson of JSW Foundation. These included three hand-embroidered artworks crafted by artisans from the Chanakya School of Craft under the direction of Karishma Swali. The ‘Citius—Altius—Fortius’ series commemorated key moments in India’s Olympic history, such as Sakshi Malik’s bronze in wrestling at the 2016 Rio Olympics and Neeraj Chopra’s gold in javelin at the 2021 Tokyo Olympics. The detailed embroidery incorporated techniques like couching, bullion knots, and crochet, paired with traditional carpet-weaving methods.

Swali highlighted the synergy between sports and art, stating, “The vibrant colors and fluid silhouettes capture the dynamic energy and elegance of athletics, reflecting the intricate beauty of the craft.”

This Parisian exhibition not only celebrated India’s Olympic achievements but also demonstrated the deep connection between art and the enduring spirit of sports. Through these artistic expressions, the event paid homage to the resilience and success of Indian athletes on the world stage.