Because her power of patronage does not depend on her position. Because of all the big-ticket cultural events in 2006, Sonia Gandhi chose to inaugurate an exhibition curated by her in Belgium. Because her academic work continues to be authoritative, whether it is an exhibition on indigo as part of the India International Centre’s Asia project or a book she has just edited on the shared traditions of Asia. Because although many seek her blessings to rise in the cultural firmament, she doesn’t give them lightly. Because if Bhishmapitamah were a woman, she would be him in the cultural arena.