28 November,2025 05:52 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Gagrani noted the long-standing cultural ties between India and Japan, adding that the exhibition celebrates the “fusion of natural beauty and human creativity.”
A three-day 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 Mumbai.
BMC Commissioner and Administrator Bhushan Gagrani and Japan's Consul General in Mumbai Koji Yagi inaugurated the exhibition, which will remain open to the public from November 28 to 30, between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m.
In a brief Marathi address that drew warm applause, Yagi greeted the audience with "Namaste Mumbai" and highlighted the 60th anniversary of the sister-city partnership between Mumbai and Yokohama, established in 1965. The exhibition, he said, marks this milestone and promotes eco-friendly artistic traditions.
Gagrani noted the long-standing cultural ties between India and Japan, adding that the exhibition celebrates the "fusion of natural beauty and human creativity."
He urged Mumbai residents to visit the event.
The Bonsai section features miniature versions of star fruit, eucalyptus, bodhi tree, nirguá¹Âdë, 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 Mitra.
Garden Superintendent Jitendra Pardeshi announced that entry to the exhibition is free. The event is supported by the Bonsai Study Group of the Indo-Japanese Association and Origami Mitra. The inaugural day saw enthusiastic participation from students, researchers, youth and local visitors.
The 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 discussed.
The Maharashtra State Art Exhibition, held annually by the Directorate of Art, features two major components - the Artists' Section and the Students' Section. While the Artists' Section traditionally takes place in Mumbai, the Students' 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 Students' Section in Sangli, offering young artists from across Maharashtra an opportunity to present their work to a new and diverse audience.
Patil noted that the State Art Exhibition serves as an important platform for nurturing emerging talent. "Every year, the Directorate of Art organises this exhibition to encourage the creative abilities of students and artists. Rotating the venue for the Students' Section ensures that young artists from different districts feel included and motivated to participate," he said. The Sangli exhibition in February 2026 will showcase outstanding artworks created by students from various art institutions across the state.
The Maharashtra minister also confirmed that the Artists' Section of the State Art Exhibition will be held at Jehangir Art Gallery, Mumbai, from March 10 to 16, 2026, continuing the gallery's long-standing association with the event.
