Launched in 2014, PhotoSparks is a weekly feature from YourStory, with photographs that celebrate the spirit of creativity and innovation. In the earlier 885 posts, we featured an art festival, cartoon gallery. world music festival, telecom expo, millets fair, climate change expo, wildlife conference, startup festival, Diwali rangoli, and jazz festival.
In this photo essay series, creators from the India Art Festival (IAF) in Hyderabad share insights on their exhibition experience, artistic journeys, and what art means to them. The next edition of IAF will be in November in New Delhi (see our coverage of earlier IAF editions here).
Mona Jain is an artist from Indore with a deep-rooted passion for visual expression. She has a PhD in The Effect of Colours in Vastu, a post-graduate course in arts from Rachana Sansad College in Mumbai, and a certificate course from Sir J.J. College of Art.
<figure class="image embed" contenteditable="false" data-id="576840" data-url="https://images.yourstory.com/cs/2/28b451402d6a11e9aa979329348d4c3e/00MonaJain-1752391274739.jpg" data-alt="o" data-caption="
Mona Jain
” align=”center”> Mona Jain
“My journey blends academic depth with creative freedom. My art is self-driven and intuitive,” she tells YourStory.
Each of her pieces speaks for itself, reflecting emotions, energy, and a quiet spiritual connection. “I believe that true art does not need explanation; it resonates and reveals on its own,” she adds.
“To me, art is a way of seeing — a method of slowing down and observing the world more deliberately. It is both a form of meditation and documentation, helping me reflect on spaces we often overlook,” sketch artist Ritvik Agarwal explains.
<figure class="image embed" contenteditable="false" data-id="576841" data-url="https://images.yourstory.com/cs/2/28b451402d6a11e9aa979329348d4c3e/01RitvikAgarwal-1752391301581.jpg" data-alt="2" data-caption="
Ritvik Agarwal
” align=”center”> Ritvik Agarwal
.thumbnailWrapper{
width:6.62rem !important;
}
.alsoReadTitleImage{
min-width: 81px !important;
min-height: 81px !important;
}
.alsoReadMainTitleText{
font-size: 14px !important;
line-height: 20px !important;
}
.alsoReadHeadText{
font-size: 24px !important;
line-height: 20px !important;
}
}
Through sketching, he connects with the rhythm of cities and people, and explores the poetry in the mundane. “It is my goal to understand cities, and portray what we can learn from them,” he adds.
He describes his style as rooted in architectural precision but softened by expressive linework. “I work almost entirely in monochrome. I use contrast, shadow, and line weight to convey depth and atmosphere,” he describes.
“The absence of colour allows the viewer to focus on structure, detail, and mood. This creates a contemplative lens on urban life,” Agarwal says.
For Jain, art is a reflection of life and an exploration of the soul. “It is a silent language through which emotions, memories, and dreams come alive,” she explains.
“Each piece I create is not just an image—it is a moment captured, a feeling expressed, a truth revealed. Art allows me to connect with the world around me and within me, without needing words. It is where I find freedom, meaning and peace,” she affirms.
Many of the exhibiting artists at IAF shared highlights from their experience at the three-day event. “Participating for the first time was a great experience for me,” says Rajendra Ray, who co-found Art and Designer Studio in Hyderabad with his wife Nabanita.
He received valuable feedback and got to learn about the latest trends and new styles in the art world. “It was an amazing opportunity to meet talented artists from different states of India,” he recalls.
.thumbnailWrapper{
width:6.62rem !important;
}
.alsoReadTitleImage{
min-width: 81px !important;
min-height: 81px !important;
}
.alsoReadMainTitleText{
font-size: 14px !important;
line-height: 20px !important;
}
.alsoReadHeadText{
font-size: 24px !important;
line-height: 20px !important;
}
}
Many art lovers appreciated the detailed work in his paintings. “They spent a lot of time engaging with my art, which was truly encouraging and fulfilling,” he enthuses.
“Exhibition is that time when you see feedback directly on the faces of viewers. Thoughts are exchanged. Whatever I want to convey in reaching the audience is what I witness in exhibitions,” says Saurabh Dingare, a graduate of Abhinav Art College and MIT in Pune.
Mumbai-based artist Praveena Parepalli cherishes most the conversations at festivals. “I look forward to the engagements that unfold when someone really pauses, looks, and lets the work speak to them,” she describes.
“My pieces do not aim to please everyone. They are slow burners, and I have come to embrace that,” she says.
The audience’s resonance often comes with a quiet attentiveness. “When they speak, the dialogue is rich. I have been fortunate to have viewers who connect with both the surface and the subtext,” she proudly says.
For Jain, the IAF exhibition was a truly enriching experience. “It gave me the opportunity to connect with art lovers, collectors, and fellow artists on a deeper level. Seeing people pause, reflect, and emotionally respond to my work was incredibly rewarding,” she proudly says.
.thumbnailWrapper{
width:6.62rem !important;
}
.alsoReadTitleImage{
min-width: 81px !important;
min-height: 81px !important;
}
.alsoReadMainTitleText{
font-size: 14px !important;
line-height: 20px !important;
}
.alsoReadHeadText{
font-size: 24px !important;
line-height: 20px !important;
}
}
“Many visitors shared that my paintings felt soulful and calming, and some said they saw parts of their own journey in the art. The feedback was heartfelt and encouraging,” she recalls.
She felt especially glad hearing that her self-taught style brought a raw, honest energy to the space. “It has inspired me to keep evolving and expressing fearlessly,” she says.
“Exhibiting my work was a powerful experience. Seeing it in a physical space and observing how people interacted with each piece brought a new dimension to the work,” Agarwal observes.
The experience was incredibly fulfilling because he had the chance to connect directly with a diverse audience of art lovers, collectors, and fellow creatives. “Many visitors were drawn to the detail and precision in my linework and asked thoughtful questions about my process and the inspiration behind each piece,” he says.
“It was especially rewarding to see people’s faces light up as they resonated with scenes they recognised or appreciated the craftsmanship in unfamiliar ones. The encouragement I received — from compliments to meaningful conversations — affirmed my belief in the power of urban sketching to spark connection and nostalgia,” Agarwal signs off.
Now what have you done today to pause in your busy schedule and harness your creative side for a better world?
(All photographs were taken by Madanmohan Rao on location at India Art Festival in Hyderabad.)
