Bonsai and origami exhibition opens at Jijabai Bhosale Botanical Garden

A threeday Bonsai and Origami Art Exhibition opened on Friday at the Veermata Jijabai Bhosale Botanical Garden and Zoo in Byculla The event has been organised jointly for the first time by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation BMC the Tree Authority and the Consulate General of Japan in MumbaiBMC Commissioner and Administrator Bhushan Gagrani and Japanrsquos Consul General in Mumbai Koji Yagi inaugurated the exhibition which will remain open to the public from November 28 to 30 between 10 am and 6 pmIn a brief Marathi address that drew warm applause Yagi greeted the audience with ldquoNamaste Mumbairdquo and highlighted the 60th anniversary of the sistercity partnership between Mumbai and Yokohama established in 1965 The exhibition he said marks this milestone and promotes ecofriendly artistic traditionsGagrani noted the longstanding cultural ties between India and Japan adding that the exhibition celebrates the ldquofusion of natural beauty and human creativityrdquoHe urged Mumbai residents to visit the eventThe Bonsai section features miniature versions of star fruit eucalyptus bodhi tree nirgud Chinese lemon Chinese banyan nag champa guggul and several other species The Origami display includes intricate paper models of animals birds flowers and tools crafted with support from Origami MitraGarden Superintendent Jitendra Pardeshi announced that entry to the exhibition is free The event is supported by the Bonsai Study Group of the IndoJapanese Association and Origami Mitra The inaugural day saw enthusiastic participation from students researchers youth and local visitorsMaharashtra govt to host 65th State Art Exhibition in Sangli in 2026The Maharashtra government has approved the proposal to organise the 65th State Art Exhibition in Sangli district in February 2026 The decision was finalised during a review meeting chaired by Higher and Technical Education Minister Chandrakant Patil at Mantralaya where a range of issues related to strengthening art education across the state were discussedThe Maharashtra State Art Exhibition held annually by the Directorate of Art features two major components mdash the Artistsrsquo Section and the Studentsrsquo Section While the Artistsrsquo Section traditionally takes place in Mumbai the Studentsrsquo Section is rotated across districts to widen reach and ensure participation from students in various regions of the state This year the government has decided to host the Studentsrsquo Section in Sangli offering young artists from across Maharashtra an opportunity to present their work to a new and diverse audiencePatil noted that the State Art Exhibition serves as an important platform for nurturing emerging talent ldquoEvery year the Directorate of Art organises this exhibition to encourage the creative abilities of students and artists Rotating the venue for the Studentsrsquo Section ensures that young artists from different districts feel included and motivated to participaterdquo he said The Sangli exhibition in February 2026 will showcase outstanding artworks created by students from various art institutions across the stateThe Maharashtra minister also confirmed that the Artistsrsquo Section of the State Art Exhibition will be held at Jehangir Art Gallery Mumbai from March 10 to 16 2026 continuing the galleryrsquos longstanding association with the event