Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Hon’ble Minister of Culture and Tourism, Government of India, inaugurated the new Lalit Kala Akademi Regional Centre in Kolkata. The new building is located on AJC Bose Road, Entally. The Third Print Biennale India 2026 was also inaugurated by the Minister. Dr. Nand Lal Thakur, Vice Chairman of Lalit Kala Akademi, and Shri C S Krishna Setty, Commissioner of the Third Print Biennale India, were among the other dignitaries in attendance.

Lalit Kala Akademi, the National Academy of Art in New Delhi, is an independent organization within the Indian government’s Ministry of Culture. Under the direction of Maulana Abul Kalam Azad, the Akademi was established on August 5, 1954, with the goal of encouraging, fostering, and supporting artistic excellence and the visual arts throughout the nation.

Lalit Kala Akademi established Print Biennale India, a significant worldwide forum devoted to the art of printmaking, as part of its ongoing commitment to the expansion and global reach of Indian printmaking traditions. The first two editions of the Biennale were successfully organized by the Akademi, which encouraged widespread participation from artists in India and elsewhere.

In 2018, Lalit Kala Akademi hosted the 1st Print Biennale India, a historic occasion honoring printmaking as an important modern art form in New Delhi. The Jehangir Art Gallery in Mumbai sponsored the 2nd Print Biennale India (International Exhibition of Graphic Prints), which included pieces from 14 nations, including India.

Lalit Kala Akademi announced that the 3rd Print Biennale India 2026 would be held at the recently constructed Lalit Kala Akademi building in Kolkata, continuing this history. With 1449 entries received internationally, this edition has seen an amazing response. The First Tier Jury has chosen 204 artists from 34 countries after a rigorous multi-stage selection procedure, exhibiting a wide range of modern print methods worldwide. The Biennale recognized outstanding achievement in printmaking by awarding five Grand Prix Awards and four Honourable Mentions to the Second Tier Jury selection.

The Biennale will remain open to the public from 15th January to 15th February 2026 at Lalit Kala Akademi, Kolkata.

Priyanka Dutta