A four-member jury of prominent Indian contemporary artists convened on July 25th to evaluate submissions for First Take 2025, the ninth edition of Abir India’s national open call for emerging artists. The panel will announce results by August 2, selecting ten winners from hundreds of submissions across painting, printmaking, ceramics, and sculpture. Abir India Founder Ruby Jagrut and Abir Pothi Co-founder Nidheesh Tyagi were present.
The jury includes internationally recognized artists Gigi Scaria, Manish Pushkale, Veer Munshi, and Jagannath Panda, representing diverse artistic practices and regional perspectives. Their task involves selecting artworks by Indian artists aged 25-35, with each winner receiving INR 50,000 and inclusion in a curated exhibition.
Platform’s Growing Impact
Since its inception, First Take has received over 10,000 entries and showcased more than 900 artists across 450+ pin codes throughout India. The platform has awarded 84 young artists to date, many of whom have gained national recognition in India’s contemporary art scene.
“We’re looking for artists who believe in their work—regardless of where they come from or what medium they use,” said Ruby Jagrut, founder of Abir India.
Jury Profiles
Gigi Scaria represented India at the 54th Venice Biennale in 2011, participating in the country’s first India Pavilion with his installation “Elevator from the Subcontinent.” Born in 1973 in Kerala, Scaria works across video, painting, photography, and installation art, examining urbanization and territorial themes. He holds degrees from College of Fine Arts, Thiruvananthapuram and Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi, and currently serves as Associate Professor at Shiv Nadar University. His recent curatorial work includes “IDAM: Where Being Sprouts into Language” for Kochi Biennale Foundation in 2022.
Manish Pushkale, born in 1973, stands among India’s leading abstract painters despite being entirely self-taught. With a Master’s degree in Geology, he brings scientific precision to his artistic practice, creating luminous canvases through meticulous layering techniques. His recent solo exhibition at Musée Guimet, Paris (2023-24) titled “Carte Blanche: To Whom the Bird Should Speak?” demonstrates his international recognition. He received the Grand Award at Bharat Bhavan Biennale in 2018 and serves as a Trustee of The Raza Foundation.
Veer Munshi, born in 1955, emerged as a significant voice in diaspora aesthetics following his exodus from Kashmir in 1990. He integrates traditional Kashmiri papier-mâché and Kari-e-Kalamkari techniques with contemporary art practice. Educated at Kashmir University and M.S. University Baroda under Nasreen Mohamedi and Ghulam Mohammed Sheikh, Munshi has held 17 solo exhibitions internationally. His “Pandit Houses” series documented 2,000-3,000 abandoned Kashmiri Pandit homes, creating a crucial visual archive of cultural displacement. He received a Senior Fellowship from India’s Ministry of Culture in 2014.
Jagannath Panda, born in 1970 in Bhubaneswar, creates mixed-media works exploring India’s transition between traditional and modern worlds. Son of a temple priest, he studied at M.S. University Baroda and Royal College of Art, London, completing his MFA in 2002. His works incorporate materials from traditional terracotta to contemporary plastic toys and Lego pieces, held in collections including Mori Art Museum, Tokyo, and National Gallery of Modern Art, New Delhi. He founded Utsha Foundation for Contemporary Art in 2011, supporting emerging artists from marginal areas.
Competition Details
The exhibition will feature live demonstrations, artist talks, and interactive sessions with curators, critics, and collectors.
The platform maintains no entry fees, reinforcing Abir India’s commitment to accessibility. Winners’ works will be showcased on Abir Space, the organization’s digital gallery, for one year alongside the physical exhibition.
Chairman of bSafal and Abir India patron Rajesh Brahmbhatt noted, “Our mission is to amplify fresh voices in the Indian art ecosystem and ensure that neither geography nor background becomes a barrier to visibility.”
The jury’s deliberations continue as they evaluate submissions across multiple artistic categories, with the contemporary art community awaiting results that could significantly impact emerging artists’ careers. The announcement on August 2 will determine which ten artists join the growing roster of First Take alumni who have advanced to national prominence in India’s contemporary art scene.
Results will be announced on August 2, 2025, through Abir India’s official social media channels and www.abirindia.org.
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