New Delhi, July 13 (IANS) Want to raise a toast to stray animals? Do it with a porcelain mug carrying designs drawn from 50 top Indian artists.

Animal rights organisation People for Animals (PFA) is raising awareness about compassion for animals with an art project, "The Master Collection by People for Animals". It will showcase a range of porcelain mugs designed with motifs drawn from art works by 50 top artists.

The artists include masters like Raja Ravi Varma, Jamini Roy, F.N. Souza, Ramkinkar Baij, S.H. Raza, Jahangir Sabavala, Arpita Singh, Paramjit Singh, Thota Vaikuntam, Paresh Maity, Nayanaa Kanodia, Farhad Hussain, Binoy Varghese, G.R. Iranna and Bose Krishnamachari, the PFA said.

The designer porcelain ware has been produced in a limited edition of 100 pieces in an assortment of shapes and sizes priced at Rs.500 each.

Artist Manu Parekh, who has been a part of the PFA since it was created, told IANS that "the organisation was playing a significant role in bringing art to promote animal rights".

"I am amazed at the creativity and class of its annual fundraisers. It is a privilege to be part of The Master Collection," Parekh said.

Elaborating on the project combining utility and art, PFA chairperson Maneka Gandhi said: "There is no reason why art should be confined to canvas, or limited to a few canvases."

"Every year, PFA introduces a new and wonderful way to enjoy art. Last year, we introduced a range of carpets designed by leading artists," she said.

"They simply flew off the walls at shows in the national capital and Mumbai last year. I expect the same with our mugs this year," Gandhi said.

Invented around 10,000 B.C. when a handle was first stuck on a cup, the PFA said: "Mugs have progressed from being simply beverage containers to ubiquitous, often decorative, desktop items."

"We are trying to elevate it to an object d'art and move it from the kitchen and desk to the formal drawing and dining area," the PFA chairperson said.

The collection will be formally launched Aug 19 at The Lalit hotel here where the mugs will be on display for two days.

The range has been curated by Transmedia, a consultancy firm-cum-design studio run by Garima Jain in collaboration with the Delhi Art Gallery.