Diwali is fast approaching and there are many exhibitions all over India. Interestingly, while the price of gold appears to be going through the roof, artists and gallery owners are sensibly offering smaller and cheaper works.

At the Third All India Art Trade Fair at Sai International Centre in Delhi, one could buy art pieces for as little as Rs 5,000. Sounds impossible? But its Diwali time and gallery owners know that people are on the lookout for things to make their homes look more attractive. Affordable art objects would just fit the bill. The collection includes canvases, watercolours and sculptures of many varieties – enough to make even the most reticent buyer bring out his wallet.

The Fair, which featured 80 young and up-coming artists from nine different states, is said to have been the brainchild of art collector (more importantly ‘art lover’) Adishwar Puri. He feels that everyone should have the opportunity to have some art on their walls – something that I have been saying for years. He has brought together students from reputed art colleges and has offered them a platform to display their works. There are also a number of self-taught artists among them and their works have been carefully selected by a professional curator.

Judging by the large number of people who turned up at the fair, the sales should have been good, especially since most works were priced between Rs 5,000 and Rs. 20,000. I particularly like the idea that while not everyone can buy works of masters such as Husain, Tyeb Mehta or Anjolie Menon, they can certainly consider buying a canvas for Rs 20,000 by a young student who shows promise.

Among the artists who have been coming here every year, is Augustine Annadurai, whose attractive allegorical images on canvas and handmade paper are greatly admired. He has been one of the most successful artists at the fair every time and this year is no exception. An important ingredient in these Art Trade Fairs is the lack of restrictions and artists are keen to travel huge distances to bring their works to the fair.

According to those who are participating, it is the large number of footfalls that this Fair attracts, which serve as a great incentive for them. And if sheer numbers are to be counted, this year’s Art Trade Fair is undoubtedly a great success.

I believe this is the way to go. Let the public see more works by talented young people and let them learn to appreciate art. In time they will develop an eye to recognize what is good and what is inferior. More art will circulate and more buyers will automatically appear to promote and offer encouragement. Better quality works and innovative creations will be the natural outcome of such an effort.

Jhupu Adhikari is the winner of numerous advertising design awards and a painter of repute