The Art Issue

January 2026

There is an undeniable magic in art. It inspires, connects people, and builds communities—one stroke, one story at a time. It is also why Air India has always forged a deep relationship with Indian art over the years, giving local budding artists global exposure by placing their works at the forefront.

Taking that storied legacy a step forward, we bring to you a specially curated ‘Art Edition’ in collaboration with one of India’s most prolific contemporary artists and Padma Shri awardee Paresh Maity. What you see on the Cover is an original work by the artist set in Varanasi titled ‘Morning Glory’. In the Cover Story, Maity opens up about his journey and the medium most special to him—watercolour, a medium that mirrors life itself, free flowing and full of possibilities. We also profile Kiran Nadar, one of India’s foremost art collectors, whose ambitious goal is to make art
accessible to all.

In our Mind section, art critic Dr Alka Pande offers insights into investing in art, while Max Hollein, Director and CEO of The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, discusses the role of Artificial Intelligence in art.

For those who like to be out and about, in our Body section, Padma Bhushan awardee Rajeev Sethi writes about how airports are becoming the new museums. We also showcase some of the world’s most art-forward airports and offer an insider’s guide to buzzing global art festivals and fairs. Art historian Dr Meera Dass, who has documented
Air India’s art collection, gives us a peek into how the airline built not just a treasure trove of Indian art but also strategically wove art into its very identity.

We begin the New Year with this proud legacy, and a commitment to keep introducing you to the experiences that make life truly worth living.

Happy reading!