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We are honoured to announce that our founders Anahita Taneja and Shefali Somani have been conferred with the insignia of Officier dans l’Ordre des Arts et des Lettres (Officer of the Order of Arts and Letters) at a special ceremony at the Residence of France, held on 20th Decemeber, 2023.

This distinction comes in recognition of their outstanding achievements in the field of arts, and their deep commitment to the promotion of South Asian artists and practices internationally. This award also honours their enduring contribution to the cultural relationship and cooperation between France and India.

Congratulating them on this occasion, Ambassador Thierry Mathou said: “I am especially proud and delighted to confer the distinction of Officier dans l’Ordre des Arts et des Lettres on such an outstanding duo, Anahita Taneja and Shefali Somani. As joint founders of the Shrine Empire Gallery and Prameya Art Foundation, you have together instituted several prominent programmes and awards, and offer artist and writer residencies in both India and France. The honour bestowed on you tonight celebrates your remarkable contribution to this tireless mission of creating cultural bridges between France and India.”

The French government distinction l’Ordre des Arts et des Lettres (Order of Arts and Letters) is conferred on “persons who have distinguished themselves by their creativity in the field of art, culture, and literature or for their contribution to the influence of arts in France and throughout the world.” Some noted Indian recipients of this honour in the past include Bharti Kher, Subodh Gupta, Shah Rukh Khan, Pt Hariprasad Chaurasia, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Raghu Rai, Ebrahim Alkazi, Habib Tanveer, and Upamanyu Chatterjee.