The Samdanis have paved their way into the Arts Advisory Council at Harvard University’s South Asian Institute. Not just for a joy ride; but as founding members.
Rajeeb and Nadia Samdani are renowned art collectors and are on the council for good reason; their collection is not one to be messed with. Earlier this year, the couple had also been named in the prestigious ArtNews Top 200 Collectors of the world.

Nadia and Rajeeb Samdani
Photo Credit: www.clickittefaq.com
The list termed the Samdanis as "young Bangladeshi investors, who are not only prodigious collectors of art of their region — their vast collection includes modern and contemporary Bangladeshi artists as well as artists from India and Pakistan — they are also avid supporters of it. Rajeeb is co-chair and a founding member of Tate's South Asian Acquisition Committee, but the Samdanis have become best known for their biennial Dhaka Art Summit, which brings together curators, artists and other arts professionals from around the globe."
Nadia and Rajeeb have the pleasure of saying they are the only two South Asians on the ArtNews list. It must be a great feeling to say they are next to collectors like Hollywood star Leonardo DiCaprio, Saatchi, Prada, Arnault and Pinault.

Nadia and Rajeeb Samdani with artwork
Photo Credit: www.indianquarterly.com
However, the Samdanis aren't the only two South Asians in achieving a place at Harvard. Pakistan's Osman Khalid Waheed, Britain's Chandrika Pathak, and India's Aparajita and Gaurav Jain, and Poonam Bhagat have also been honoured as members of council.
Members of the Arts Advisory Council are brought on to act as a form of advisement and support for the Arts at the South Asian Institute. This connects South Asia’s artists, curators, museum administrators and art educators to the faculty and students at Harvard. It also gives an opportunity for research to advance the appreciation and understanding of the magic of South Asian art.
Rajeeb and Nadia founded The Samdani Art Foundation in 2011 and have been a part of the Dhaka Art Summit since 2012. The summit is known as the world's largest non-commercial research and exhibition platform for South Asian art and brings together art professionals, curators and artists from around the world.
The third summit is scheduled to take place between February 5 and 8 in Dhaka.
Main Image Photo Credit: www.thehindu.com
Art, Art Design, Art Gallery, Arts Council, Bangladesh, Bangladeshi, Dhaka, Harvard, Harvard Medical School, Nadia Samdani, Rajeeb Samdani, South Asian Arts Council, Summit
Nomaan Khan
Author
After spending some time in a completely different field, Nomaan decided to drop it all and switch to Mohawk College to pursue his longtime interest in the world of Journalism. His experience working in multimedia platforms has helped him develop exceptional skills in thinking on his feet, being ...
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