THE opening of an exhibition bringing the flavour and warmth of India to Maldon’s Hayletts Gallery saw hundreds gather at the venue.

Shanti Panchal is a leading London-based Indian artist who won the 1991 National Portrait Gallery/BP Portrait Award and was artist-in-residence at the National Gallery in London in 1994.

Director Sally Patrick said: “Lots of people came along to the opening and it was very busy.

“Shanti gave a short talk about his work, his background regarding coming from a remote village in India and the effect it has had on him.

“People thought his work was exquisite – full of soul, creating a meditative peaceful feeling.

The gallery is open from 10am to 5pm from Tuesday to Saturday until November 16.

For more details, visit haylettsgallery.com