Akara is a Mumbai-based gallery dedicated to bridging the legacies of South Asian modernism with the evolving language of contemporary art. Founded in 2015 by Puneet Shah and Meghna Shah, the gallery originally presented a unified programme that brought modern and contemporary practices into dialogue through intergenerational exhibitions.
In 2023, Akara expanded into two dedicated spaces: Akara Modern and Akara Contemporary. Akara Modern focuses on significant voices of 20th century Indian art, presenting museum quality exhibitions that highlight the region’s contributions to global modernism. Akara Contemporary champions emerging, mid-career, and established artists from South Asia and the international sphere, offering a platform for experimentation and cross-cultural exchange.
Across both spaces, Akara centres India and South Asia within the wider landscape of international art history through exhibitions, representation, art-fair participation, and advisory services.
Launched in 2025, the annual Akara Artist Mentorship Programme strengthens this mission by offering free talks, workshops, and one-on-one feedback from senior professionals to support younger practitioners.
Rooted in the belief that modern and contemporary practices exist in conversation, Akara continues to build meaningful connections between regional histories and global perspectives from its home in Mumbai’s historic art district.