Harvansh Chawla & Lakshmi Meets Saraswati: A Vision Beyond Patronage
When people talk about patronage in the arts, it is often limited to funding, sponsorships, or formal support. For Harvansh Chawla, eminent lawyer and Chairman & Chief Patron of Rishal Music Trust, patronage carries a deeper meaning. For him, it is about being involved, taking responsibility, and staying committed to the cultural life of the country over the long term. This belief comes through clearly in the initiative Lakshmi Meets Saraswati.
Rather than being planned as a one-off cultural event, Lakshmi Meets Saraswati was shaped as a larger way of thinking about art and society. Mr Chawla believes that India’s artistic traditions cannot survive if they are kept alive only through memory or reverence for the past. They need care, visibility, and relevance in today’s world. That means presenting them thoughtfully and creating spaces where they can naturally connect with contemporary audiences.
Bridging the Distance from Tradition
Life today moves quickly. Technology, work pressures, and global exposure influence how younger generations spend their time and attention. As a result, many traditional art forms feel distant to them. This is not because of a lack of respect or interest, but simply because modern life leaves little space to pause, listen, or engage deeply.
Lakshmi Meets Saraswati responds to this reality with understanding. Instead of treating tradition and modern life as opposites, the initiative looks for ways to bring them together. It recognises that if classical, folk, and spiritual arts are presented in a way that feels open and approachable, younger audiences are more likely to engage with them. The focus is not on simplifying the art, but on creating an environment where people feel welcome and curious rather than intimidated.
Creating a Community Around Culture
One of the core ideas behind Lakshmi Meets Saraswati is the importance of community. Harvansh Chawla sees culture as something that grows stronger when artists, patrons, thinkers, and industry leaders come together with a shared sense of responsibility. This is not about building a passive audience, but about forming a circle of people who care enough to contribute, support, and influence how culture moves forward.
Modern tools and digital platforms play an essential role in this vision. Rather than viewing technology as a threat to tradition, the initiative treats it as a bridge. When used thoughtfully, digital platforms and contemporary formats can help cultural values reach new audiences without losing their essence.
The Role of Rishal Music Trust
Rishal Music Trust (RMT) stands at the centre of this effort. The Trust is supported by an exceptional group of patrons from the world of music and culture, including Padma Shri awardees and senior artists who bring decades of experience with them. Their involvement gives the Trust both credibility and depth.
Just as importantly, RMT works closely with industry and corporate leaders. These partnerships help build sustainable support systems for the arts, ensuring that cultural initiatives are not dependent on occasional goodwill. Through this approach, artists receive not only creative recognition but also professional respect and stability.
Choosing Responsibility Over Symbolism
What sets Lakshmi Meets Saraswati apart is its emphasis on responsibility rather than symbolism. Culture, in this vision, is not reduced to ceremonial gestures or occasional celebrations. It is seen as something living, something that needs consistent care, structure, and attention.
Under Harvansh Chawla’s leadership, the initiative reflects a simple yet powerful idea: prosperity and culture must grow together. Lakshmi, representing enterprise and progress, and Saraswati, representing wisdom and art, are not opposing forces, but partners. Tradition and technology can coexist, just as heritage and modern life can inform each other.
In a world that often moves too fast to look back, Lakshmi Meets Saraswati offers a quiet but essential reminder. Progress feels meaningful only when it remains connected to its roots. Through steady leadership and collective effort, the initiative aims to ensure that India’s artistic traditions continue to live, adapt, and inspire the generations that follow.