Archive · 30 Aug 2026
Udayraj Gadnis Turns 60 With Mysticism, Art And London Exhibition
Dr. Udayraj Gadnis is an Indian artist who recently turned 60.
He says he has painted for 35 years and made more than 3,500 paintings.
He believes painting is only one way he expresses his spiritual experiences.
His art is strongly connected to Indian spirituality, Tantra and Lord Shiva.
Gadnis says some Indian art galleries do not support or recognize his work.
He also says a Mumbai exhibition about nine mystic saints was stopped because people were worried about erotic images.
He plans to show those paintings in Switzerland instead.
His next major exhibition will be in London and will focus on 12 sacred Jyotirlingas.
Gadnis says he does not make detailed plans and simply follows his spiritual path.
Artist and mystic Dr. Udayraj Gadnis says he has created more than 3,500 paintings over 35 years.
Gadnis describes himself as a mystic who happens to paint, rather than simply as a painter.
He claims Indian galleries and auction houses have largely avoided his work despite support from corporate collectors.
A planned Mumbai exhibition on the Navnath mystic saints was withdrawn after pressure over its erotic tantric themes.
His 60th solo exhibition in London will feature 12 large paintings inspired by India’s Jyotirlingas.
- Who
- Dr. Udayraj Gadnis, an Indian artist, mystic and professor.
- What
- He discussed his career, spiritual approach to art, criticism from parts of India’s art world and his upcoming 60th solo exhibition.
- When
- The interview followed his recent 60th birthday celebration; the London exhibition is upcoming.
- Where
- The interview took place at the Taj Santacruz in Mumbai, while the 60th exhibition is planned for London.
- Why
- Gadnis says he chose London because he believes spiritually focused art will be better understood by an international audience.
Gadnis's View
Critics And Art Establishment
Artist or mystic
Gadnis's View
Gadnis rejects a narrow definition of himself as a painter and says he is a mystic who uses painting to express experiences of divinity.
Critics And Art Establishment
Some Indian painters, according to the interview, do not regard Gadnis as a conventional painter.
Recognition in India
Gadnis's View
Gadnis says commercial galleries and auction houses in India avoid his work, despite collections held by major corporations and collectors.
Critics And Art Establishment
The reported lack of institutional recognition suggests that parts of India’s art establishment do not support or promote his work.
Navnath exhibition
Gadnis's View
Gadnis says he wanted to present erotic tantric paintings as a tribute to earlier artists and planned to show them in the BMC building lobby.
Critics And Art Establishment
He says a Maharashtra political lobby objected to the paintings and that concerns about erotica led him to withdraw the Mumbai exhibition.
- Age
- 60
- Painting career
- About 35 years
- Reported paintings
- More than 3,500
- Upcoming exhibition
- His 60th solo show, planned for a prestigious gallery in the United Kingdom
- London exhibition theme
- Bara Jyotirlinga, based on 12 self-originated Shivalingas in India
- Withdrawn exhibition
- A Mumbai presentation on the Navnath, or nine mystic saints of Maharashtra
- Other creative activities
- Gadnis says he writes about Tantra, reads, sings, plays music and teaches