In the previous century, Indian art was completely influenced by British rule. Very little of art progressed for two hundred years during the period. After Indian miniature art, nothing much happened. Then the art schools in India (Chennai, Kolkata and Mumbai), were built by the Britishers. Art education was similar to what they taught in their country.  It is only in the middle of the 19th century that the artists of India tried to break away as much as possible and helped in creating what one could call ‘Contemporary Indian Art’ — with Indian identity. Since then Indian art is progressing steadily and a lot of experimentation is taking place.  The year 2007 has been successful for Indian art both in the country and in places like the US and in England with the large NRI presence mainly investing in Indian art. In the last couple of years Indian art has been marketed through Southby’s and Christie’s. The auction houses have done well in promoting the Indian art. This is a positive step in getting to the International Art market.
Young talent
In order to encourage young upcoming artists, the state could give them financial assistance and provide them studio facilities. This is very important particularly when a student comes out of an Art school and starts practising. Also, state sponsored academies for art should try and educate the public to appreciate and understand art, particularly ‘Modern’ and ‘Contemporary’. Art should become one of the subjects in our schools.  Unless this is done whatever ‘progress’ we are talking about has no meaning.
The year 2007  has seen art activities in the country almost doubled.  More art galleries have come up all over and the existing art galleries have enlarged their spaces to accommodate very large exhibitions. There is lot of interest and excitement all around. Investment by the galleries for art has grown in a big way. Most of galleries and artists are producing top quality catalogues with good articles on their exhibitions. If this trend continues in 2008 we can see India stepping into International Art in a big way.
Here in Bangalore, a group of artists and art historians are working under the umbrella ‘Ananya Drushya’.  National Gallery of Modern Art (Bangalore Chapter) at Manikkavelu Mansion on Palace Road, is scheduled to open around April/May 2008. The Venkatappa Art Gallery housed next to the Government Museum is getting a facelift. Hopefully, this will mean a lot of art activities in and around it.
Art promotion
‘Ananya’ is a trust working to promote music, literature and art. It was founded in 1995 with Dr U R Ananathamurthy as its chairman. Till now Ananya has been involved in variety of programmes in the field of music and literature. It has held innumerable music concerts and discussion sessions on music.  It has taken music appreciation to the doorstep of the schools to imbibe a taste for music in children.
After working in the fields of music and literature Ananya now wants to expand its activities into the field of Visual arts; this project is named  ‘Ananya Drushya’. Visual artists of Bangalore have come together to vitalise the art scene in the city. 
The first is conducting regular lecture and discussion sessions on art at Ananya. This would involve inviting artists, art historians and critics as guest speakers; as well as conducting seminars and discussion forums on relevant topics in contemporary art. Ananya Auditorium was witness to ‘Artist of the month’ programme where reproductions of one artist were exhibited each month so that those who come to listen to music can see art.
Second is an out-reach programme for school children to develop awareness in them about visual art and culture. Under this programme artists will visit schools once a fortnight and conduct workshops which will engage children along with lectures, slide shows, visit to museums and galleries.       
Developing archives, data bank and reading room where various art books /magazines will be available for the connoisseurs — is the third aspect that Ananya wishes to start; this will become part of ‘Ananya Sangrahalaya’. This will turn out be a major information centre for visual arts in the city as there is dearth of such documentation centre in public space.