Art and artists are the very soul of human civilization. Art is an eternal language through which human beings give expression to their innermost emotions, experiences, thoughts and dreams through form, colour, sound, words, rhythm and expression. When prehistoric artists first painted their experiences on the walls of caves, when a sculptor discovered beauty hidden within a block of stone, or when someone, inspired by the sounds of nature, first began to explore the magic of musical notes, art must have begun its enduring journey through human life. The evolution of art is, in essence, the story of the evolution of human consciousness, imagination and sensitivity. International Artists Day, observed every year on October 25, offers an opportunity to honour this creative spirit and recognise the contribution of artists to the making of society and civilisation. However, the significance of this day must not be confined to felicitating artists, organising art exhibitions, attending musical performances or appreciating works of creativity. At a time when the world is beset by the threats of war, terrorism, violence, religious and ideological conflicts, economic rivalries and struggles for global supremacy, the role of art and artists becomes more far-reaching and consequential than ever before. The fundamental question is whether technological advancement, economic prosperity and military might have made humanity more peace-loving. If not, we must return to the human consciousness that makes us not merely powerful, but also sensitive, tolerant and compassionate. Art is one of the most powerful mediums for awakening this consciousness.
The irony of the contemporary world is that while science has bridged distances, communication technologies have transformed the globe into a closely connected community, and economic relations have made nations increasingly interdependent, the walls of distrust, hatred and hostility among human beings continue to rise. Families shattered on battlefields, innocent lives lost to terrorism, children enduring the agony of displacement, and smaller nations crushed beneath the politics of domination compel us to ask a fundamental question: What is the true meaning of development? Is development confined to towering buildings, sophisticated weapons, vast markets and artificial intelligence, or should its ultimate purpose also be to make human life safe, beautiful, free and fulfilling? Artists seek the answer to this question in the human heart. They remind us that the greatness of a civilisation must not be measured by its capacity for destruction, but by its ability to create, preserve and coexist.
While politics and diplomacy often become entangled in calculations of interests, territorial boundaries and the balance of power, art and artists bring to the forefront the shared sorrows and joys of humanity. When a painter portrays a home devastated by war, the suffering reflected in that image belongs not to one nation alone, but to all humanity. When a musician plays a melody filled with compassion, no translation is required to understand its language. The love expressed in a poet’s verses, the anguish reflected in a dancer’s gestures, and the human dignity embodied in a sculptor’s creation transcend geographical boundaries and connect hearts. This is the extraordinary power of art: it can build bridges of dialogue amid hostility, kindle hope amid despair, and foster intimacy amid division.
The contrast between art and war is itself a subject of profound reflection. The mentality of war seeks victory in defeating others, whereas art teaches us to understand their experiences and perspectives. War erects walls along borders; art teaches us to look beyond them. Weapons wound the body, but hatred also inflicts deep injuries upon the human soul. Art seeks to heal those wounds. While violence breeds retaliation, authentic artistic creation inspires empathy, introspection and a deeper understanding of the human condition. This does not mean that art alone can prevent wars or that artistic expression by itself can eliminate terrorism. Preventing wars requires political will, just policies, international cooperation and effective institutions. Yet, for these efforts to endure, they must be supported by a humane consciousness that refuses to glorify violence or mistake peace for weakness. Art plays a vital role in cultivating precisely this consciousness.
In India’s cultural heritage, art has never been confined merely to entertainment; it has also been deeply connected with philosophy, spirituality and social harmony. Music is a form of spiritual discipline, dance an expression of human emotions, literature an instrument of public welfare and folk art a living repository of collective memory and cultural identity. The Jain philosophical principles of Ahimsa (non-violence) and Anekantavada (the multiplicity of perspectives) likewise teach us that understanding truth requires respect for diverse viewpoints. The spirit of Anekantavada resonates profoundly with the very nature of art, for different artists may interpret and express the same scene, event or experience in entirely different ways. Making space for such diverse expressions strengthens dialogue, tolerance and peaceful coexistence.
Despite its immense cultural and social significance, art faces numerous challenges today. Market pressures often compel artistic work to be judged solely by profitability and popularity. The pursuit of instant fame, unjustified restrictions on expression, cultural intolerance and suspicion towards creative freedom can constrain the potential of artists. Digital platforms have expanded opportunities for artistic creation and dissemination, but the race for superficial popularity has also created new challenges for serious artistic expression. Respecting artists cannot mean merely presenting them with awards or praising their creations. It must also involve ensuring freedom of expression, dignified livelihoods, fair remuneration and a safe environment in which creativity can flourish. At the same time, artists have a responsibility to use their freedom to encourage wisdom, sensitivity and dialogue rather than spread hatred and hostility in society.
International Artists Day provides an opportunity to make a collective commitment in this direction. The younger generation, in particular, must be made to understand that the highest purpose of creativity lies not merely in personal achievement, but in making society more just, beautiful and humane. Art instils the belief that even amid the darkness of destruction, the lamp of creation can continue to shine. It teaches us that the beauty of life lies not in defeating others, but in learning to live together; that friendship means more than closeness among those who share our opinions, and includes maintaining mutual respect despite differences; and that peace is not merely the absence of war, but also the presence of justice, freedom, compassion and mutual trust. Through their colours, melodies, words, movements and imagination, artists can envision a world in which a person’s identity is defined first and foremost by human dignity, rather than by caste, language, religion or nationality. The true message of International Artists Day is that where weapons inspire fear, art nurtures trust; where hatred divides humanity, creativity brings people together; and where wars devastate lives, art offers the dream of making life beautiful once again. Today, the world needs not only powerful armies, prosperous economies and advanced technologies, but also sensitive artistic souls capable of making peace an enduring ideal of human existence. Artists are precisely such visionaries of humanity and architects of its future. To honour their creations is, in essence, to honour the promise of a brighter future for humankind.
When art becomes a celebration of life, sensitivity becomes a social virtue, and coexistence evolves into a shared global outlook, the Earth can move beyond the looming shadows of war and become a common home of peace, friendship, non-violence and beauty. In this endeavour to build a more humane world, artists are not merely observers of change; they are its dreamers, its catalysts and its creative architects.
Author is a Writer, Journalist and Columnist
