Nestled in the heart of Hyderabad’s Banjara Hills, Kalakriti Art Gallery has been more than a space for exhibitions—it has become a living dialogue between artists and audiences. Since its inception in 2002, the gallery has been instrumental in shaping the city’s cultural landscape, bringing together masters and emerging talent, and weaving an ecosystem where art, collaboration, and community thrive together.
At its helm stands Rekha Lahoti, a visionary whose leadership, in fact, transcends the boundaries of entrepreneurship. As the Director of Kalakriti Art Gallery and CEO of Kalakriti India, Rekha has spearheaded initiatives that bridge tradition with innovation—from the acclaimed Krishnakriti Foundation to public art installations that have changed the face of Hyderabad’s urban identity. Her focus is not only on showcasing art but also on crafting a deeper cultural experience rooted in empathy, accessibility, and education.
In this exclusive CXQuest conversation, Rekha Lahoti reflects on the evolution of Kalakriti Art Gallery as a “customer experience” ecosystem—where, in fact, viewers become participants, artists become storytellers, and every exhibition transforms into a dialogue about India’s creative soul.
Welcome, Rekha Lahoti, Director of Kalakriti Art Gallery and CEO of Kalakriti India
Q1. Rekha, Kalakriti has been a cultural landmark in Hyderabad for more than two decades. Could you take us back to its early vision and what sparked your journey into this vibrant world of art and curation?
RL: The foundation of Kalakriti Art Gallery was rooted in the vision of building a strong art
collection, supporting artists, and embracing cutting-edge practices that reflect new narratives. From the very beginning, our goal was to weave these artistic expressions into the socio-economic and cultural fabric of Hyderabad.
What truly kept us going was the awareness that we were the first gallery of this scale in the city – a responsibility and an inspiration in itself. We understood that to create real impact, we had to first establish a strong presence on the national and international stage. Only then would the local audience begin to truly engage withand appreciate our vision. That belief continues to guide us even today.
Diverse Audience
Q2. Over the years, Kalakriti has welcomed countless artists and art lovers. What’s the most rewarding part of engaging directly with such a diverse audience?
RL: At Kalakriti, we’ve always envisioned the gallery as a space where tradition meets innovation – a place where artists and audiences engage meaningfully within the evolving landscape of contemporary art.
One of the most rewarding experiences for us has been witnessing the transformation of artists we’ve supported from their early journeys. I recall the story of an artist named Bapi Das, whom we discovered during our initial years at Kalakriti. He was an auto-rickshaw driver in Kolkata who, in his spare time, created incredibly detailed embroidery works using threads pulled from his mother’s dupatta and a magnifying glass. Recognizing his exceptional talent, we supported his education through his Bachelor’s and Master’s programs, helping him shape a professional artistic path.
Over time, Bapi participated in our Krishnakriti Art and Culture Festival, and later exhibited at Kochi Biennale. His works eventually entered the collection of the Rennie Museum in Vancouver. Stories like his – of perseverance, discovery, and transformation – remind us why we do what we do. They are what make this journey so deeply fulfilling.
Art as a Bridge
Q3. You’ve mentioned that you see art as a bridge between people and ideas. How does that philosophy reflect in the gallery’s daily operations and outreach initiatives?
RL: We have always believed in bringing people to art and art to the public. It is important for us that art is not limited to gallery walls, but becomes a part of everyday life. Our aim has been to engage the wider community and create opportunities for people to encounter art in shared spaces.
Hyderabad itself has evolved beautifully in this regard – from the ‘Love Hyderabad’ installation at Necklace Road to the Street Art projects across the city, and the remarkable mural at the IKEA underpass created by artist Surya Prakash. These public art initiatives weave creativity into the urban landscape. They encourage familiarity, acceptance, and a sense of pride in cultural expression.
When art becomes visible and accessible in the cityscape, it naturally integrates into people’s lives, opening doors for curiosity, dialogue, and emotional connection.
Transition to Strategic Perspectives
Q4. As someone who has built a community around Kalakriti, how do you view customer experience in the context of art appreciation? Do you see parallels with how brands create emotional value?
RL: For us, art has always been more than an object of appreciation — it is a bridge between people, ideas, and experiences. We often speak about the emotional and cognitive impact of art, and it’s true: engaging with art can enhance concentration, stimulate the mind, and even elevate one’s mood by triggering a release of dopamine.
This belief shapes our everyday work at the gallery. We curate exhibitions, conversations, workshops, and educational programs that encourage people to slow down, observe, and connect – not just with the artwork, but with themselves. When someone walks into Kalakriti and finds a moment of clarity, joy, or reflection, that is deeply meaningful to us.
So, in many ways, our outreach is guided by the desire to make art accessible, relatable, and emotionally resonant – giving everyone a reason to return, to feel enriched, and to feel connected.
IAF EDI+IONS Hyderabad
Q5. The gallery’s participation in IAF EDI+IONS Hyderabad marks a significant milestone. How do such collaborations elevate local artistic narratives and shape India’s global art footprint?
RL: Hyderabad has recently been in the spotlight for all the right reasons its cultural
vibrancy, expanding creative economy, and the growing presence of diverse artistic practices. The city is drawing attention, and with that attention comes responsibility.
The introduction of India Art Fair EDI+TIONS in Hyderabad is a significant moment for the city. Collaborations like this elevate the cultural landscape and deepen the sense of accountability among galleries, artists, and institutions. At Kalakriti Art Gallery, we have spent the past 23 years working to build such platforms – nurturing artists, creating visibility, and fostering dialogue.
This initiative is especially meaningful because it not only widens Hyderabad’s global footprint in contemporary art, but also strengthens the support system for local artists, heritage, and intangible cultural identities. Hyderabad is a city with centuries of layered history – and to see it step forward as a key space for contemporary artistic exchange is both inspiring and deeply welcome.
Digitally Connected
Q6. Today’s audiences are more digitally connected than ever. How is Kalakriti adapting to this transformation in audience engagement—balancing the tactile aura of art with the immediacy of virtual appreciation?
RL: Yes, absolutely – digital connection is here to stay.
Our Instagram community has grown beautifully and we’re delighted to have crossed the 50k follower’s milestone. We’ve always aimed to make the page visually engaging and accessible, so that people can experience art even from afar. With every show, including our upcoming exhibition featuring video art, we try to create content that resonates, informs, and inspires.
Social media today plays a very important role in shaping how audiences encounter and engage with art. It helps us reach a wider community, spark curiosity, and build lasting connections – not just within the city, but across the world.
Q7. Kalakriti’s calendar is always vibrant, from solo shows to city-wide collaborations. How do you ensure that each exhibition maintains a sense of authenticity while appealing to both connoisseurs and first-time visitors?
RL: It has always been our endeavour to showcase and curate the finest artistic practices, engaging with both emerging and senior artists alike. Over the years, we have consistently presented a thoughtful mix of solo and group exhibitions, ensuring that each presentation reflects depth, dialogue, and relevance.
We work with different curatorial approaches depending on the stage of an artist’s journey – our group shows often highlight emerging voices, while our exhibitions with mid-career and senior contemporary artists bring forward mature, evolved perspectives. This careful interspersing throughout the year helps us maintain a strong, balanced exhibition calendar.
We typically plan our programming two years in advance, which allows us to build a robust framework – offering viewers diversity, range, and meaningful engagement, and providing young collectors an opportunity to grow their connoisseurship thoughtfully and confidently
Analytical Insights
Q8. From a leadership perspective, how do you measure the impact of Kalakriti’s initiatives—be it artist development, public art, or education programs—on the broader cultural ecosystem?
RL: For a broader cultural ecosystem, I have always believed that an art gallery should be a place where one can pause, feel, and be moved – a moment of stillness in the midst of the noise of everyday life.
In an art gallery, when you stand before an artwork, it has the power to raise questions, evoke memories, and open conversations. Every artwork holds the story, emotions, and perspective of the artist, and when a viewer engages with it, they step into that intimate space – into the artist’s inner world. At the same time, the artwork also reflects the viewer back to themselves, becoming a meeting point between the artist’s journey and the viewer’s personal experience.
That is why an art gallery is more than a physical space – it is a place where one can slow down, observe, reflect, and connect, both inward and outward. When you enter a gallery, you come with an open heart. You only need to be present, and the artwork will speak – to your thoughts, your memories, and your emotions.
This connection – between heart and mind – is where the true magic of art begins.
Krishnakriti Foundation
Q9. The Krishnakriti Foundation and the Franco-Indian Education Trust highlight your focus on sustainability through knowledge and empowerment. How do these efforts tie into your long-term vision of art as societal transformation?
RL: The foundation has always focused on supporting emerging artists and individual art
practices through a wide range of cultural activities. Over the years, we have organised heritage walks, curated exhibitions, performances, and collaborative programmes that create meaningful engagements across disciplines.
In the past two decades, our festival has grown into a significant cultural platform in Hyderabad – one that brings together artists, curators, scholars, and cultural enthusiasts. With the support of the Government of Telangana, the festival has welcomed over 5,000 participants annually and has come to be regarded as an important part of the cultural calendar of the city.
We are now preparing to revive the festival in 2027, which marks our 25th year – a milestone that reflects our continued commitment to nurturing artistic exchange and cultural dialogue.
Experiential Art Spaces
Q10. Experiential art spaces are emerging as new CX frontiers globally. What do you believe the future of art engagement in India will look like in the next decade, and how do you see Kalakriti playing a pioneering role in that journey?
RL: Whether it’s immersive art or experiences like the Van Gogh Immersive Story, we strongly believe that engaging young minds is essential. As we grow wiser, adaptation and evolution become even more important – we must continually embrace new forms of artistic expression and integrate them into our programming.
At Kalakriti, we have been consciously incorporating immersive and interactive experiences into our exhibitions and events. For instance, during Ankon Mitra’s presentation at India Art Fair, New Delhi, we created a fully immersive 360-degree installation with glasses and layered structures – it drew incredible interest, with visitors lining up to experience the space. Similarly, in Hyderabad, we introduced an ‘Infinite Room’ installation that offered a deeply engaging visual experience.
These initiatives are our way of connecting with younger audiences, encouraging them to explore art and culture in new ways. We believe that such innovative presentations help make art more accessible, memorable, and inspiring for all generations
Closing
What began as an art gallery in 2002 has now grown into a dynamic platform that connects ideas, artists, and audiences. Rekha Lahoti’s leadership at Kalakriti stands as a testament to how experiences rooted in authenticity, collaboration, and creativity can redefine engagement in any domain—including customer experience.
Through its evolving initiatives—whether the Krishnakriti Foundation, public art installations across Hyderabad, or participation in global art fairs—Kalakriti, in fact, continues to blur boundaries between art and life. In a world driven by metrics and immediacy, Rekha reminds us of the timeless power of human connection: that true experience—whether in art or business—begins when the heart meets the collective imagination.
