'Kalpana', an exhibition comprising the works of 14 renowned Indian artists, has opened at a glittering ceremony in Shymkent, the capital of South Kazakhstan at the newly constructed and prestigious art gallery.

Speaking at the inauguration Thursday, Indian Ambassador Ashok Sajjanhar noted that the exhibition has been brought to Shymkent after it was held successfully in Astana for three weeks because of the strong and dynamic relations that India has always enjoyed with this region of Central Asia.

The exhibition consists of 29 digitally produced prints of well-known works of eminent Indian artistes representing human figure forms created over a span of more than a century.

From Jamini Roy to Amrita Shergil, M.F. Husain, F.N. Souza to Krishen Khanna the exhibition also includes the works of some of the more contemporary and modern artistes like Anjolie Ela Menon, Manjit Bawa, and Arpana Caur.

'The paintings display the vibrancy and dynamism of Indian art during the 20th century. The exhibition represents an underlying empathetical harmony in the aesthetic stimulus of Indian art and the seamless manner in which several artistic influences belonging to the traditional and modern styles have coalesced over the last century,' an Indian embassy statement said.

The inauguration also included a brief concert of Kazakh dances and music which was enjoyed and appreciated by all the participants.

During his visit to the South Kazakhstan Region, Sajjanhar also visited the South Kazakhstan University named after the famous and illustrious writer of Kazakhstan Mukhtar Auezov, and held discussions with its Rector Professor Walikhan Bishimbayev on ways to further promote and strengthen bilateral relations in educational, scientific, technological and cultural spheres.

Addressing a large gathering of students of the university at the Main Convocation Hall, the ambassador noted the historical and civilisational links between India and Kazakhstan dating back to 500 BC when members of the Saka tribes traveled to the northwest of India to establish powerful empires.

While emphasizing the active and dynamic contacts between the two countries during the third to the 12th centuries when exchanges of goods, thoughts, ideas and philosophies took place over the Silk Route, Sajjanhar noted that in current times also relations between India and Kazakhstan are growing and expanding at an impressive pace.

'Several students raised questions and expressed keen interest in taking advantage of the progress that India has achieved and to use the educational facilities available in India,' the statement said.