Jyoti Bhatt, a distinguished artist and revered educator, has had a transformative impact on the art world through his innovative practice and philosophical approach to art education.

For us at the Foundation, Jyoti Bhatt's life and work serve as a palimpsest and a lens through which to view the evolving art world, and ever-changing currents of art pedagogy in India, of which Bhatt has been a keen navigator. His extensive travels through Indian hinterlands brought significant depth to his image-making, and a lifelong legacy of discovery which also passed down to his students.Through Bhatt's expansive repertoire of prints, photographs and paintings, we witness the artist's "rigorous investment in documentation through vast and varied landscapes, the desire to highlight artistic life and craftsmanship in "Indian" life, and their presence in his oeuvre reveal perhaps an impulse to "turn those fleeting moments into permanent ones."For students, Bhatt is remembered as being 'very thorough in teaching, very thorough as a person…and if one asks him a question, he will try hislevel best to answer it to yoursatisfaction

As an art teacher since 1966, Bhatt played a crucial role in shaping the next generation of Indian artists, emphasizing the importance of cultural heritage in contemporary art practices. In his teaching career, Bhatt says, "I have a policy of not saying no," which encourages students to approach the teacher of their choice with questions and doubts. As a strong advocate for including women in arts education, Bhatt was instrumental in changing perspectives of those around him, to expand art ateliers to encourage more women in art teaching and practice.

As a constant learner himself, he sees his own journey akin to the 'non-linear metamorphosis of a butterfly from a cocoon', unexpected, yet certain. Students are always encouraged to update themselves under his watch but also strike a balance between digital techniques and the works of hand. Bhatt's enduring pedagogic legacy for his long-term students remains his steadfastness 'within his culture and his own locale, while also being extremely aware of what is happening elsewhere and outside that locale.'

His legacy as an educator is reflected in the diverse and innovative approaches of his students, many of whom have become prominent artists in their own right. Bhatt's artistic journey reflects a deep engagement with India's cultural heritage, , making him a key figure in the narrative of contemporary Indian art. His core values, progressive vision and an empathic self-awareness make him one of the most memorable artists and teachers for generations to come.

For several generations of young artists, art critics and collectors , Bhatt's 'intricate symbolism and visual metaphors, his complex narratives and insights into social issues and the human condition' will become a significant reference point.

It is with great reverence and admiration that we recognize Prof. Jyoti Bhatt for his untiring commitment to furthering arts education, his questfor meaning and empathic self-awareness as an artist.

“Right from my childhood I have lived in today. Sometimesin the past, but never in the future.”
- Jyoti Bhatt

Professor Ashoke Chatterjee is a pioneer in design thinking, development communication, and socially responsive innovation whose work has profoundly shaped India’s design pedagogy over five decades. Across a distinguished career spanning corporate leadership, public service, and academic governance, his practice has consistently centered design as a discipline rooted in empathy, ethics, and rural empowerment.

As Executive Director, Senior Faculty, and Distinguished Fellow at the National Institute of Design (NID), Ahmedabad from 1975 to 2000, Chatterjee was instrumental in expanding the scope of design beyond aesthetics into vital sectors like public health, water sanitation, ecology, and basic education. Believing firmly that education should operate as a "school without walls," his pedagogical vision dismantled institutional barriers, bringing design directly into service of rural communities. A historic outcome of this philosophy was his founding role in the Artisans’ Alliance of Jawaja in Rajasthan, a landmark initiative that integrated traditional craft practices into sustainable, community-centered livelihoods, ensuring dignity and economic self-reliance for local craftspeople.

Prof. Chatterjee’s guidance has influenced foundational design institutions across the globe, including the Srishti Institute of Art, Design and Technology, IICD Jaipur, Kala Raksha Vidyalaya in Bhuj, and the Royal College of Art. In recognition of his service to design education, he was awarded the prestigious Sir Misha Black Medal in 1985, an honour he dedicated back to NID as his parent institution. Beyond academia, he has advised major international bodies including UNICEF, WaterAid, the Ford Foundation, and INTACH, alongside serving as President and Honorary Advisor to the Crafts Council of India and trustee for the Sabarmati Ashram.

Through his extensive writings, consulting, and advocacy, Ashoke Chatterjee remains a monumental figure in contemporary Indian design, continuing to inspire generations of designers to approach their craft as an instrument of social justice, compassionate action, and cultural preservation.

“Education is merely about imparting knowledge, but about nurturing sensitivity towards society and culture. This is where design education must lead.”
- Prof. Ashoke Chatterjee

Leela Samson, a distinguished Bharatanatyam dancer and revered educator, has had a transformative impact on the arts through her innovative practice and philosophical approach to dance pedagogy.

Leela Samson's life and work serve as a palimpsest and a lens through which to view the evolving landscape of Indian classical dance, of which Samson has been a keen navigator. Her deep foundation at Kalakshetra, Chennai, where she not only trained from 1961 to 1967 but later served as its visionary Director, brought significant depth to her artistry, creating a lifelong legacy of discovery passed down to generations of students. Through her expansive body of work, particularly her pioneering choreographic initiative 'Spanda,' we witness a rigorous investment in tradition while continuously pushing boundaries to find innovation within it. Colleagues and students remember her as a practitioner who brought unparalleled integrity and dynamism to both teaching and performance.

Throughout her career spanning over five decades, Samson has played a crucial role in shaping the next generation of dancers, emphasizing the importance of excellent form in nritta combined with sensitive abhinaya. During her tenure teaching at the Sriram Bharatiya Kala Kendra and privately in Delhi, and later directing Kalakshetra, she actively cultivated an environment that widened the academic scope of graduating dancers while spearheading the documentation of classical dance dramas.

As a constant learner and multifaceted artist, she views her journey as an ongoing exploration. Beyond her solo performances, which she loves best, she has authored foundational texts on dance history, including Rhythm in Joy, Rukmini Devi – a life, and Dance of Freedom. She also transitioned seamlessly into acting in acclaimed films. Her enduring legacy remains her steadfastness within her cultural roots, while also navigating roles as Chairperson of the Sangeet Natak Akademi and the Central Board of Film Certification.

Her legacy as an educator and performer is reflected in her ability to find meaning between the arts and the socio-political forces amidst which an artist practices. Her journey reflects a deep, empathic engagement with India's cultural heritage, making her a central figure in the narrative of contemporary Indian arts.

It is with great reverence and admiration that we recognize Leela Samson for her untiring commitment to furthering arts education, her quest for meaning, and her visionary leadership.

Artists definitely make some sacrifices along the journey, but there are those moments when their intent, their execution, and feeling are aligned on the head of a pin, where their body, mind, and soul fly free.”
- Leela Samson