A fascinating exhibition in New Delhi is offering a rare glimpse into a forgotten chapter of India's advertising and cultural history. Titled 'Stars Shine', the showcase presents a collection of vintage commercial print advertisements that featured legendary artists like playback singer Mohammed Rafi and ghazal queen Begum Akhtar.
A Glimpse into Vintage Celebrity Endorsements
The exhibition is being hosted at the Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA), an autonomous institution operating under the Ministry of Culture. It brings to light a time when iconic figures from the world of music and cinema lent their faces to promote commercial products, a practice that was less common then than it is today. These prints are considered rare archival treasures, revealing a different facet of these celebrated personalities beyond their primary artistic domains.
Preserving a Unique Cultural Legacy
By displaying these advertisements, the 'Stars Shine' exhibition does more than just showcase nostalgia. It acts as an important archival project, preserving a unique intersection of commerce, popular culture, and art from a bygone era. The visuals serve as historical documents, reflecting the aesthetics, marketing strategies, and societal norms of their time. For fans and historians alike, seeing Mohammed Rafi or Begum Akhtar in this commercial context provides a fresh perspective on their immense popularity and cultural footprint.
Where and When to Witness the Exhibition
The exhibition is currently open for public viewing at the IGNCA premises in New Delhi. The news about this unique collection was reported on 16 December 2025, indicating a contemporary effort to revisit and celebrate this slice of history. Such initiatives highlight the evolving role of cultural institutions in curating and presenting diverse narratives from India's rich past, ensuring they are not lost to time.
For enthusiasts of Indian music, advertising history, or vintage pop culture, this exhibition presents a must-see opportunity. It connects the dots between artistic legacy and commercial history, reminding us that the stars of yesteryears were not just voices and faces on screen or record, but also part of the everyday visual landscape of their era.
