"Art is one of the best mediators. Through art people learn more about the different cultures of the world - through music, movies, and paintings created tens of thousands of kilometers away from their own country. Art makes more understandable life on the planet, building a bridge between traditions. It tells stories related to the religions of the world, thus shortening the distances between them" - words of HE Mr. Rajesh Kumar Sachdeva, Ambassador of India to Bulgaria, on the occasion of the opening of the exhibition entitled “Kalpana” (“imagination of the mind” in Sanskrit) in Sofia.

The event is held under the patronage of the Minister of Culture, Mr. Vezhdi Rashidov, and curator of the exhibition is famous artist Anjolie Ela Menon. She selected digital prints on canvas of fourteen masters of figurative art from the 20th and 21st centuries. The exhibition has been traveling the world since 2008, introducing the public to the specifics of modern Indian painting. The figurative form in contemporary Indian art is seen in the works of some of the most prominent Indian artists who have received recognition at the domestic and international art scene. The original paintings are stored in the largest galleries and museums in India, UK, France, Japan, etc. Along with the Embassy of India in Sofia, organizers of the event are the Indian Council for Cultural Relations and the East-West Indological Foundation.  
The date of the official presentation of the exhibition was chosen specifically - January 26 - an official holiday in India observing Republic Day. The exhibition is dedicated also to another remarkable anniversary, the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between our two countries.

In Sofia, the exhibition is on display at Sredets hall at the Ministry of Culture until February 3 and the Ivan Vazov National Theatre from February 4 to February 15. It will then travel to Varna (17 Feb - 4 Mar), Rousse (6 Mar - 27 Mar), Bourgas (30 Mar - 15 Apr) and Plovdiv (17 Apr - 30 Apr).

HE Rajesh Kumar Sachdeva said for the friends of Radio Bulgaria more - listen to his interview in the audio file.

English Rossitsa Petcova