Art for health: visitors at exhibition mark emotional freedom with symbolic kite release in mumbai

Visitors at the ART for HEALTH exhibition at Jehangir Art Gallery immersed in an expressive healing activity through kite making. To observe Makar Sankranti and the closing of the

exhibition, Rang De Neela organised the kite making therapy where visitors expressed their emotions, health concerns and inner struggles. Rang De Neela, a social initiative, hosted a unique

art exhibition displaying 47 paintings dedicated to the stories of valour in the domain of health and healing, in line with the World Health Organisation (WHO)’s emphasis on healing through

art. The social initiative had collected inspiring healing journeys collaborating with the top doctors from across the medical segments and converted them into art pieces. The exhibition

commenced from January 7 at the Jehangir Art Gallery and attracted over 30,000 visitors. The distinctive feature of the exhibition was the kite-making for healing activity, where visitors

visually express their emotions, health concerns, and inner struggles on kites using lines, strokes, words, and forms. These kites symbolised the release of anxiety, pain, and suffering. Dr.

Rajiv Kovil, co-founder of Rang De Neela, said, "Health is not just physical but emotional and mental too. Through art, we create a space for individuals to express, unburden, and

heal. The kite release is a symbolic yet profound gesture of letting go of pain and embracing freedom." The visitors also participated in a collective kite release activity as a

symbolic act of unburdening to mark emotional freedom. Rang De Neela also donated more than 500 kites to the Rangoonwala Foundation (India) Trust, Jai Hind College, and Hinduja College.

Ashish Shelar, Minister of Information Technology and Cultural Affairs, attended the closing ceremony of ART for HEALTH. "The ART for HEALTH exhibition is a powerful initiative that

integrates art and mental well-being. The kite-making activity aligns beautifully with the spirit of Makar Sankranti, a festival of new beginnings, symbolizing the release of burdens and the

embrace of hope and positivity,” said Shelar. Dr. Ami Shah, co-Founder added, "Art therapy helps people process emotions that words often fail to express. Through this unique

kite-making activity, visitors experience a sense of liberation, knowing their struggles are seen and released into the vast sky of possibilities."