A canvas of strengthening cultural ties
Empowerment, a Delhi-based cultural NGO, brings “Lotus Roots: An India–Sri Lanka Artist Project” to The Shoppes at City of Dreams, Sri Lanka with a joint exhibition by Indian and Lankan artists on today, March 29.
With a joint residency and exhibition of 20 artists from India and Sri Lanka aimed at strengthening cultural exchange, the project celebrates the shared cultural heritage and the distinct artistic voices of the two nations, artistic dialogue, and creative collaboration. It was coordinated in Sri Lanka by Vishi Dharmasiriwardena and supported by the India–Sri Lanka Foundation.
Vishi Dharmasiriwardena
For artist Kumar Vikas Saxena, President of Empowerment and the driving force behind Lotus Roots, the exhibition is rooted in a philosophy he has carried throughout his career: that art is the most enduring bridge between civilisations. His own paintings explore memory, imagination and the subconscious, depicting dreamlike architectural fusions that place nature in quiet dialogue with human ambition.
Said Kumar, “Projects like Lotus Roots allow artists from different cultural backgrounds to share their perspectives and creative philosophies. Through these exchanges, art becomes a powerful medium for cultural diplomacy, fostering friendship and deeper connections between nations. The metaphor of the lotus roots beautifully symbolises resilience, interconnectedness, and the deep cultural ties that unite us.”
Vishi Dharmasiriwardena, one of the island’s leading wildlife and nature painters, has long believed in the power of art to cross borders. His own practice has taken him often to India for workshops, demonstrations, and charitable art programmes for underprivileged children, making this collaboration a deeply personal one.
“Art has always been my way of connecting — with nature, with communities, with people across borders. India and Sri Lanka share so much, not just culturally but in the way we see the world. Bringing these artists together in Colombo, to create side by side, feels like the most natural thing in the world,” he said.
For Thilini de Simon, an MFA graduate whose practice moves between the natural world and inner psychological landscapes, the theme of the exhibition resonates with the questions her work already asks. “My work has always explored the tension between the self we inherit and the self we long to become. Collaborating with artists from another country — sitting with their perspectives, their marks, their silences — pushes that inquiry further. It asks you to be both rooted and open at the same time.”
Riya Sharma
Riya Sharma, a New Delhi-based contemporary artist, Fine Arts graduate, and Secretary of Empowerment, brings to Lotus Roots a practice shaped by over a decade of exploring nature-inspired imagery and inner reflection. For her, the project’s theme strikes at something central to how she paints.
“Being a nature lover and a strong believer in Prakriti — the essence of nature — my artworks reflect serenity, balance, and a quiet sense of harmony. Participating in this project is an opportunity to express tranquillity and interconnectedness through my paintings while engaging in a meaningful dialogue with fellow artists,” said Riya.
The project also brings together artists whose paths to the canvas have been anything but conventional. Seema Singh spent three decades as an educational administrator before picking up a brush at 55. She has since exhibited across India, Canada, Russia, and the United States. Said Seema, “The journey continues with utmost childish passion — even at the age of 65.”
The participating artists from Sri Lanka are: Vishi Dharmasiriwardena, Dillai Joseph, Sudarshi Ranabahu, Thilini de Simon, Madhumali Shakila, Manushika Pathirana, Nadeesha Weerasinghe, Senani Senanayake and Deepthi Amarasekera. From India: Kumar Vikas Saxena, Vatsla Rastogi, Seema Singh, Archna Gupta, Bela Mundhra, Sumita A. Prakash, Binu Bhatia Randhawa, Kiran Advani, Shivani Jain, and Riya Sharma.
“Lotus Roots” is on display today, March 29 at The Shoppes at City of Dreams
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