Dalí's Surreal Creation: When Art Met Aviation

Salvador Dalí's 1967 ceramic ashtray, designed for Air India in exchange for an elephant, features in the 'Sanhita: A New Beginning' exhibition at Bengaluru's NGMA. The exhibition showcases Air India's rich art collection, including works by prominent artists like B Prabha and Mario Miranda, reflecting India's cultural heritage.

Salvador Dalí and Caravaggio might be sharing a fine art space in Bengaluru, but it's the Spanish surrealist's quirky 1967 ceramic ashtray that’s stealing the spotlight at the National Gallery of Modern Art.

Part of the 'Sanhita: A New Beginning' exhibition, this unique piece—originally traded for a baby elephant—joins a showcase of around 182 artefacts from Air India’s historical collection.

Highlighting the iconic partnership between art and aviation, the exhibition also features works by renowned artists B Prabha and Mario Miranda, underscoring how Air India used art as a business strategy to highlight India's cultural legacy.