The Government of India has conferred the esteemed Padma Shri on Ms. Kiran Nadar, acclaimed art collector, philanthropist, and founder of the Kiran Nadar Museum of Art (KNMA), in recognition of her pioneering efforts to promote Indian art and culture, both nationally and globally.
A passionate advocate for the arts, Ms. Nadar has spent decades working to preserve, showcase, and elevate modern and contemporary Indian art through world-class exhibitions, education initiatives, and public outreach. Her private collection—one of the most significant in South Asia—has become a cultural treasure for the nation.
Through the Kiran Nadar Museum of Art, India’s first privately owned philanthropic art museum, Ms. Nadar has:
- Made over 10,000 works by Indian artists accessible to the public
- Curated internationally acclaimed exhibitions showcasing Indian masters and emerging voices
- Supported art education and outreach programs, particularly for youth and underserved communities
- Elevated Indian visual art onto the global stage, from Venice to Paris to New York
- Played a leading role in cultural philanthropy, blending artistic passion with civic commitment
“Art is not a luxury—it’s an essential expression of our identity and heritage,” Ms. Nadar has said, reflecting her belief in the democratization of culture and the power of art to inspire dialogue, history, and transformation.
The Padma Shri award to Ms. Kiran Nadar is a testament to her unwavering dedication to India’s artistic legacy, her trailblazing work in cultural institution-building, and her vital role in making Indian art visible and accessible to the world.
