Celebrating & Promoting The Diversity In Arts
Providing grants to authors, artists and performing artists and helping them grow creatively is one of the main objectives of the Foundation.
By Sandeep & Gitanjali Maini Foundation
Founded on the philosophy that arts of all genre needs to be supported, it is committed to promoting visual arts, literary arts and performing arts.
The Founders
Sandeep & Gitanjali Maini Foundation works extensively in the field of arts. Over the years, the Foundation has supported various artists, by way of mentoring, and providing opportunities to take their work to the next level.
The Foundation extends its support to creative individuals, especially those in diverse fields of art. Author and researcher Manu S. Pillai was extended a grant which enabled him to research and author his second book Rebel Sultans: The Deccan from Khilji to Shivaji, in 2018.
Rebel Sultans cover image (2019-06) by SGMFSandeep & Gitanjali Maini Foundation
Literary & Academic Approval
The book has received endorsements not only from the general press and readers but also from senior academics and historians like Rudrangshu Mukherjee, Muzaffar Alam, Sunil Khilnani, and William Dalrymple.
"Pillai brings together a wide range of sources to weave a fascinating narrative of a historically important and understudied region and period in South Asian history."
— Studies in History, Vol. 35, No 1, February 2019.
The book has also been translated into regional languages.
Rebel Sultans: Marathi translation (2019-06) by EkaSandeep & Gitanjali Maini Foundation
Translations in Marathi & Kannada
"Rebel Sultans is an excellent contribution…from which both scholars and the general public will benefit.
—Studies in History
The book has been translated into Kannada, as well as Marathi languages.
Rebel Sultans: Kannada translation (2019-06) by Eka/JuggernautSandeep & Gitanjali Maini Foundation
Reaching A Regional Audience
"What was an idea in my head was realised and published after a long research journey chiefly with the support of SGMF, for which I remain most thankful. I hope the Foundation continues its work in the fields of art, literature, culture, and supports emerging talent," Pillai.
Rebel Sultans cover image (2019-06) by SGMFSandeep & Gitanjali Maini Foundation
The book is significant not only because it is the first history of the Deccani Sultanates written for a general audience, but also because of the breadth of sources it integrates which gives the work a notable sophistication.
"As a recipient of a research grant I can attest to the commitment the Foundation has made towards promoting not only performative and visual arts but also writing and historical inquiry in India. It was thanks to the SGMF's generous support that I was able to complete my research on the early modern kingdoms of the Deccan and publish what has been described as the "first history of the Deccani Sultanates written for a general audience", Manu S. Pillai.
Sangeeta Abhay
The Foundation supports Sangeeta Abhay, who is also part of the Artists' Initiative Programme, in several endeavours, including facilitating her participation to the XII Florence Biennale in 2019. The artist dedicates her work to the life and teachings of Gautama Buddha.
Floral Illuminated display (2019-10) by Sangeeta AbhaySandeep & Gitanjali Maini Foundation
Peace Messenger
Sangeeta showcased her work Peace Messenger at XII Florence Biennale. Exhibiting her work overseas was a dream come true for Sangeeta.
“It was an eye-opener for me, getting to participate in the Biennale was itself a big occasion and I could not have achieved this without SGMF's support. Getting to see lot of new works, and meeting other talented artists was truly exciting," says Sangeeta Abhay.
Peace Messenger and the Mahatma (2019-10) by Sangeeta AbhaySandeep & Gitanjali Maini Foundation
Buddha & The Mahatma
“Everyone knows about Buddha but my theme for the Florence Biennale was to spread the message of education. Education leads to peace and I believe it is the best answer to curb all the violence and other problems in the world. I am grateful to SGMF for their support."
For the Girl Child
Sangeeta’s Peace Messenger garnered attention not just for its skill and beauty, but also for the fact that she was championing the cause of education through her work.
Reincarnation (2019-10) by Sangeeta AbhaySandeep & Gitanjali Maini Foundation
Peace Messenger
The artist explains the purpose and process behind the installation, which earned rave reviews.
Young Viewers (2019-10) by Sangeeta AbhaySandeep & Gitanjali Maini Foundation
Sangeeta Abhay explains her work to young children gathered to watch the exhibit at the Biennale. The peace concept struck a chord among the visitors and other artists. Reputed photographer and special invitee to the Biennale, Rossano B. Maniscalchi became an admirer of her work.
Spreading the message of education (2019-10) by Sangeeta AbhaySandeep & Gitanjali Maini Foundation
A short video highlighting the Peace Messenger.
Buddha With Peace Messages (2019-10) by Sangeeta AbhaySandeep & Gitanjali Maini Foundation
The Buddha's head is engraved with messages in different languages, showcasing the artist's theme that education is the answer to peace.
Peace Messenger - The pencil display (2019-10) by Sangeeta AbhaySandeep & Gitanjali Maini Foundation
Top-5 in Installation Art at Florence
The artist uses pencils to signify the ray of light which can only spread through education. The artist's first-ever solo exhibit overseas proved to be a runaway success as her work was adjudged among the top-5 in the Installation Art category.
Lorenzo il Magnifico award
Sangeeta was conferred the Lorenzo il Magnifico Award in Installation Art category at the XII Florence Biennale. An international jury comprising distinguished scholars, art historians and critics from different countries chose her work amongst the top-5 in that segment.
Aaj bhi Mandodari, a monodrama (2019-10) by SGMFSandeep & Gitanjali Maini Foundation
Reinventing Mythological Characters
Inspired by Mandodari, the wife of Ravana, the king of Lanka, Anjana Chandak scripted this monodrama bringing to life a new character in modern day setting. She has cleverly used instances from the Ramayana to correlate Mandodari's situations with those faced by women today.
Aaj bhi Mandodari
Anjana Chandak debuted Aaj bhi Mandodari, a monodrama in Hindi under the aegis of the Foundation. It was the artist's interpretation of Mandodari, Ravan's wife, from the epics and juxtaposing it with current reality.
SGMF Founders with Anjana Chandak (2019-10) by SGMFSandeep & Gitanjali Maini Foundation
Founders Sandeep and Gitanjali Maini with Anjana Chandak after the performance of Aaj bhi Mandodari.
Draupadi, a monodrama (2020-03) by SGMFSandeep & Gitanjali Maini Foundation
New Interpretation From The Epics
Portraying Draupadi, the second Panchakanya and wife of the Pandavas, her agony at being passed around between the five brothers like a pawn is brought out by Anjana Chandak in this tragic, yet gut-wrenching dramatic display.
All Eyes On Ahalya
Anjana is now set for the launch of Ahalya, the third play in the series. The five-part series from the epics symbolises the strength and character of these powerful women. The other two characters are Kunti and Tara.
Draupadi - A Monodrama in Hindi
A short capsule of the monodrama by performance artist Anjana Chandak. Anjana adds that her courage to revisit a theme like the ‘Panchkanyas’ was solely from Gitanjali Maini's belief in the concept.
“The aim of art is to represent not the outward appearance of things, but their inward significance.” - Aristotle
...and this is what SGMF means for me. This foundation helped me to nurture a thought, aided me with authentic research and yet gave me freedom to express myself," Anjana Chandak.
Content & Curation: Sandeep & Gitanjali Maini Foundation Archives
Special Acknowledgment: Manu S. Pillai, Sangeeta Abhay, Anjana Chandak
Images & Videos: Manu S. Pillai, Sangeeta Abhay, Anjana Chandak
